1. FDE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

What is a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Program?

Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program is an international program in nutrition and dietetics that are recognized by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Standards. All FDE programs are located in a country outside of the U.S. and provide the required nutrition and dietetics coursework and at least 1200 hours of required supervised practice experiences, in the country in which the program is located, to meet ACEND's core knowledge and competency requirements to become a nutrition and dietetics practitioner. The FDE at Kyung Hee University is currently granted accreditation by the ACEND of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995 (Phone: 800-877-1600 ext. 5400 or 312-899-0040).

https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/international-programs

A verification statement is issued to individuals who successfully complete the program as evidence of eligibility to apply for a U.S.-based supervised practice experience in order to complete the requirements to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing examination to become an Registered Dietitian (RD). For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website. (https://www.cdrnet.org)

What is RD?

The registered dietitian (RD) is the primary credential recognized in foods and nutrition. In the United States of America, the RD is marketed as the nutrition expert and the credential is usually required for employment in the health care industry and preferred for many other employment opportunities in foods and nutrition, particularly important when nutrition counseling is a component of the position.

How do I become a RD?

The RD credential is earned after successfully passing a nationally administered exam, To be eligible to take the exam two components of study are required.

• 1) Classroom component (didactic, including FDE)
• 2) Supervised practice component (experience)

Both components are included in the curriculum of the International Coordinated Program (ICP). The first year of the MS ICP curriculum are devoted primarily to the didactic component. The supervised practice component is completed during the 3rd and 4th semester and summer. The Ph.D. ICP is designed to be completed in three years, which requires to complete all the didactic and experience components of the CPD and additional classes for the Ph.D. degree. Students are required to complete undergraduate courses needed to overcome any prerequisite deficiencies before matriculating into the MS/Ph.D. Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

What is required for admission to the FDE program?

Enrollment in the FDE occurs right after the admission to the graduate school. To be eligible for consideration for the FDE the applicant must submit: the following documents to the FDE director upon admission

• 1) Undergraduate academic transcript,
• 2) A copy of Korean Licensed Dietitian (Required to enter the program)
• 3) Application form for Kyung Hee University FDE protram in Dietetics

Faculty member will review the documents and select 4 students annually.

Is the dietetics program at Kyung Hee University accredited?

This program is accredited until 2023 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago Il 60606, 312/899.0040 ext. 5400. Students who enroll in the program after 2015 will not be eligible to take CDR’s registration exam because the program will then accredited under the Foreign Dietitian Education Standards and at least 900 hours of supervised practice are required to be completed in the U.S.

• Accreditation Status : Accredited
• Date of Initial Accreditation : 10/23/2008
• Accreditation Term Ends : 6/30/2023
• Degree Granted : MS, PhD

What is required the required curriculum for the FDE program?

Semester	Subject	Unit
1	Nutrient Function and Metabolism	3
	Nutrition Biochemistry	3
	Nutritional Assessment	3
	Medical Nutrition Therapy I	3
2	Nutrition Physiology	3
	Medical Nutrition Therapy II	3
	Nutrition Education and Counseling	3
	Thesis Research I	-
3	Supervised practice I	3
	Supervised practice II	3
	Supervised practice V	3
	Nutritional Support and Practice	3
	Thesis Research II	-

▸Diet Therapy in the Perspective of Oriental Medicine, Application of Oriental Medical Nutrition Therapy, Introduction to Oriental Medicine and Bioactive Materials (*One of the three subjects must be selected and completed)

Credit regulation

The graduation requirements for FDE program are as follows; 1) those who have completed regular registration for more than 4 semesters and have acquired all the credits required to complete the degree program, 2) those who have an average GPA of B0 (3.0) or higher, 3) those who have passed the Qualifying exam. Also, students must have published one or more papers in a first-class academic journal

Program Evaluation Plan

The program has set several goals and each goals are assessed according to several objectives.

• Goal 1. The program will provide adequate didactic courses and supervised practice experience to meet both Korean Institute of Dietetic Education and Evaluation (KIDEE)’s and ACEND’s requirements.
• Goal 2. The program will prepare the graduates to become competent dietitians in medical nutrition therapy area.
• Goal 3. The program will provide opportunities to participate in research projects.
• Goal 4. The program will lead graduates to make a commitment to community service.

Program Goal and objective (ACEND required)
ACEND required	At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 3.75years (150% of planned program length)
	Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation
	The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the country's dietitian credentialing exam is at least 80%
	[NOT APPLICBLE] ___ percent of program graduates take the country’s dietitian credentialing exam within 12 months of program completion
	More than 75% of employers will rate graduates beyond average or outstanding 1 year from employment

We could not include ‘__ percent of program graduates take the country’s dietitian credentialing exam within 12 months of program completion’ as the program objective because of the requirement of 1 year of professional experience before taking the credentialing exam.

Program Goal and objective (Program Specific)
Goal 1	FDE students will rate 86 points (B0) or better on didactic courses
	FDE students will rate 86 points (B0) or better on supervised practice experience
	Preceptors will evaluate more than 75% of the students performed satisfactory or excellent.
Goal 2	More than 75% of employed graduates will rate themselves as prepared or better for their first position 1 year from employment
Goal 3	The program will lead graduates to make academic achievements in medical nutrition area

▸The program outcomes data is available upon request. (inquiries: ypark@khu.ac.kr)

2. POLICY and PROCEDURE

Code of Ethics for the Dietetic Practitioner

A new phase of support for ethical practice by members of the Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and credentialed dietetic practitioners was ushered in June 1, 1999. At that time, AND'S Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics became applicable to non‐member RDs and DTRs as well as to members. The revised code was drawn from the Standards of Professional Responsibility and principles reflective of other credentialing agencies, professional associations, and state dietetic licensing boards.

The purpose of the code is to provide guidance to dietetic practitioners in their professional practice and conduct; it also assists in protecting the nutrition, health, safety, and welfare of the public by enforcing ethical behavior among ADA members and non-member RDs and DTRs.

Preamble

The Association of Nutrition and Dietetics and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, believe it is the best interests of the profession and the public it serves to have a Code of Ethics that provides guidance to dietetic practitioners in the professional practice and conduct. Dietetics practitioners have voluntarily developed a code of Ethics to reflect the values ethical principles guiding the dietetics profession and to outline commitments and obligations of the dietetic practitioner to client, society, self, and the profession.

The Ethics Code applied in it's entirely to members of The American Dietetic Association who are Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTRs). Except for sections solely dealing with the credential, the Code applies to all American Dietetic Association members who are not RDs or DTRs. Except for aspects solely dealing with membership, the Code Applies to all RDs and DTRs who are not AND members.

Principles

• 1. The dietetics practitioner conducts himself/herself with honesty, integrity and fairness.
• 2. The dietetics practitioner practices dietetics based on scientific principles and current information.
• 3. The dietetics practitioner presents substantiated information and interprets controversial information without personal bias, recognizing that legitimate differences of opinion exist.
• 4. The dietetics practitioner assumes responsibility and accountability for personal competence in practice, continually striving to increase professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice.
• 5. The dietetics practitioner recognizes and exercises professional judgment within the limits of his/ her qualifications and collaborates with others, seeks counsel, or makes referrals as appropriate.
• 6. The dietetics practitioner provides sufficient information to enable clients and others to make their own informed decisions.
• 7. The dietetics practitioner protects confidential information and makes full disclosure about any limitations on his/her ability to guarantee full confidentiality.
• 8. The dietetics practitioner provides professional services with objectivity and with respect for the unique needs and values of individuals.
• 9. The dietetics practitioner provides professional services in a manner that is sensitive to cultural differences and does not discriminate against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed religion, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national origin.
• 10. The dietetics practitioner does not engage in sexual harassment in connection with professional practice.
• 11. The dietetics practitioner provides objective evaluations of performance for employees and coworkers, candidates for employment, students, professional association memberships, awards, or scholarships. The dietetics practitioner makes all reasonable effort to avoid bias in any kind of professional evaluation of others.
• 12. The dietetics practitioner is alert to situations that might cause a conflict of interest or have the appearance of a conflict. The dietetics practitioner provides full disclosure when a real or potential conflict of interest arises.
• 13. The dietetics practitioner who wishes to inform the public and colleagues of his/her services does so by using factual information. The dietetics practitioner does not advertise in a false or misleading manner.
• 14. The dietetics practitioner promotes or endorses products in a manner that is neither false nor misleading.
• 15. The dietetics practitioner permits the use of his/her name for the purpose of certifying that dietetics services have been rendered only if he/she has provided or supervised the provision of those services.
• 16. The dietetics practitioner accurately presents professional qualifications and credentials.
  • a. The dietetics practitioner uses Commission on Dietetic Registration awarded credentials (RD or Registered Dietitian; DTR or Dietetic Technician Registered; CSP or Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition; CSR or Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition and FADA or Fellow of the American Dietetic Association) only when the credential is current and authorized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
  • b. The dietetics practitioner provides accurate information and complies with all requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration program in which he/she is seeking initial or continued credentials from the Commission Dietetic Registration. The dietetics practitioner is subject to disciplinary action for aiding another person in violating any Commission on Dietetic Registration requirements or aiding another person in representing himself/herself as Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed when he/she is not.
• 17. The dietetics practitioner withdraws from professional practice under the following circumstances:
  • a. The Dietetics practitioner has engaged in any substance abuse that could affect his/her practice. The dietetics practitioner has been adjudged by a court to be mentally incompetent.
  • b. The dietetics practitioner has an emotional or mental disability
  • c. that affects his/her practice in a manner that could harm the client or others.
• 18. The dietetics practitioner complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning the profession and is subject to disciplinary action under the following circumstances:
  • a. The dietetics practitioner has been convicted of a crime under the laws of the United States an essential element of which is dishonesty, and which is related to the practice of the profession.
  • b. The dietetics practitioner has been disciplined by a state, and at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to these principles.
  • c. The dietetics practitioner has committed an act of misfeasance or malfeasance which is directly related to the practice of the profession as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, a licensing board, or an agency of a governmental body.
• 19. The dietetics practitioner supports and promotes high standards of professional practice. The dietetics practitioner accepts the obligation to protect clients, the public, and the profession by upholding the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics and by reporting alleged violations of the Code through the defined review process of the American Dietetic Association and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Program Summary

The program admits 4 Master and/or Doctorate students per year. Students are eligible for this graduate program only after acquiring the dietitian license according with a Baccalaureate degree. In order to take the exam, students must take at least 52 credits for 18 subjects under the Nutrition-Related Course. The National Dietitian Test is conducted by the Korea Institute of Health Care, and the national license is issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW)

Students usually spends their first year taking coursework and start supervised practice at the second year. Also students are required to write thesis. The program currently is providing at least 1080 hours of supervised practice experiences at medical facility and 120 hours of supervised practice at community-based facilities including school foodservice management in Korea. There was no program director change since 2009. Our program was also accredited by the Korean Institute of Dietetic Education and Evaluation (KIDEE) in 2014. This accreditation is similar to FDE program requirement but, requires only 480 hours of supervised practice. In Korea 44 institutions were accredited by KIDEE and Kyung Hee University was the first among them.

After finishing of our program, graduates must complete 1 year of professional experience at clinical setting or foodservice organizations, and the, will be able to take the national ‘clinical dietitian’ test for her advanced credential.