Accreditation, Mission, and Goals

Accreditation Status

The Dietetic Technician Program at Suffolk County Community College is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Tel: (312) 899-0400 ext. 5400. ACEND is the national accrediting agency for dietetics education.

Dietetic Technician Program Mission

The mission of the DTP is to empower graduates to compete successfully for employment as a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) by providing superior education and innovative training in entry-level skills and competencies. The Program recognizes the importance of Dietetic Technicians as an integral part of the health care team in both clinical and administrative settings. Program training is pragmatic in its approach and provides graduates with the requisite knowledge and skills for immediate employment or transfer into a baccalaureate program. The program seeks to develop in its students a professional attitude with emphasis on personal growth and values which are compatible with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics. It strongly encourages the development of critical thinking, written and oral communication skills and prepares students to be lifelong learners.

Dietetic Technician Program Goals

Dietetic Technician Program outcome data are available upon request by contacting the Program Director at (631) 548-3724 or via email at levinej@sunysuffolk.edu.

Program Goal 1

The program will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level dietetic technicians; provides essential knowledge and skills to meet the employment needs of Suffolk County and our surrounding areas on Long Island.

Program Objectives for Goal 1

• Over a five-year period, 70% of graduates who take the CDR credentialing exam for nutrition and dietetic technicians, will pass within one year following the first attempt.
• At least 80% of students must receive evaluation grades of 85% or higher. Fieldwork instructors and preceptors will evaluate students in DTE205 (Advanced Clinical Nutrition) and DTE213 (Foodservice Management Fieldwork) annually.
• At least 80% of dietetic students will complete program/degree requirements within 3 years for full-time students (150% of the program length); and 6 years for part-time students (150% of program length).

Program Goal 2

The Suffolk County Community College DTP will prepare graduates to succeed in one or more of the following: acceptance to didactic program in dietetics or employment in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Program Objectives for Goal 2

• Over a three-year period, 50% of graduates who seek employment in nutrition and dietetics or related fields, will find employment within 12 months of graduation.
• Over a three-year period, 85% of employers that return employer surveys, will rank Suffolk County Community College graduates as qualified for entry-level positions as dietetic technicians.
• Over a three-year period, 90% of graduates will rank their education and training at Suffolk County Community College as "prepared" or "very prepared."

* Actual program outcome data is available for review by students and the public upon request from the Program Director by calling (631) 548-3724.