ExMet Coordinated Program in Dietetics
ExMet students with senior standing may make application for consideration to be accepted into the ExMet Coordinated Program in Dietetics minor, which adds one more year of course work and the supervised practice experiences.
The ExMet undergraduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics is designed for those individuals whose career goal is to become eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians through the American Dietetic Association, in addition to the Exercise Specialist® certification from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Graduates of the coordinated program are expected to function effectively as entry-level practitioners in a clinical, administrative or community setting. The supervised practice experience is 920 hours. The 920 hours of supervised practice consists of 160 hours in a food management rotation, 440 hours in clinical rotation and 320 hours in a community rotation.
WSU Spokane ExMet Mission Statement
The mission of the ExMet degree is to educate students to integrate and apply scientific-based exercise physiology and nutrition principles, thereby preparing students for careers:
- that promote optimum health, fitness, and wellness in diverse populations,
- that provide exercise and diet prescription within the rehabilitation services for people with medical conditions that can be improved by proper exercise training and dietary changes,
- that enhance athletic performance,
- as Registered Dietitians with preparation for an ACSM Exercise Specialist* certification.
*ACSM Exercise Specialist®: The Exercise Specialist® is a healthcare professional certified by the ACSM to deliver a variety of exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation, risk factor identification and lifestyle management services to individuals with or at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease(s). These services are typically delivered in cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians’ offices or medical fitness centers. The ACSM Exercise Specialist® is also competent to provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and other clinical and non-clinical services and programs.
ExMet Coordinated Program Dietetics Goals
- Goal One: The program will prepare graduates to be credentialed, entry-level dietitians and certified ACSM Exercise Specialists.
- Goal Two: The program will prepare graduates to demonstrate a commitment to positively contributing to the health of individuals and communities through active participation and leadership in community and public service.
Entrance Requirements
Students accepted into the ExMet degree program will have the opportunity to apply for the dietetics option on a competitive basis, which requires one additional year of course work and completion of the supervised practice experiences.
Requirements for Admission into ExMet CP
ExMet students with senior standing may apply to the ExMet CP. An ExMet CP application packet is available upon request from the CP Director.
Admission criteria include:
- The completion of General Requirements and ExMet junior and senior requirements.
- A cumulative overall grade point average of at least 3.0 or higher.
- No grade lower than a B (GPA 3.0) is allowed in any Natural Science, Exercise Physiology or Metabolism courses. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA B (GPA 3.0) or better to stay enrolled in the ExMet CP program.
- A minimum of one completed standard recommendation form from a work experience supervisor is required. Additional recommendations from work supervisors are acceptable but not required.
- Documentation of a minimum of 100 hours in a clinical setting, 100 hours in a community setting, and 150 hours in a foodservice setting. The experiences may either be paid or volunteer.
- A formal interview with the CP director, other dietetics faculty and/or supervised practice preceptors will be requested.
- Interviews will be scheduled around March 20 and when all application materials have been reviewed. Applicants will be contacted by the program director. Interviews are typically 20-30 minutes in length. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain the student’s knowledge and interest in dietetics and assess communication skills, maturity, poise and human relation skills.
The application portfolio and the formal interview are rated using a point system. Acceptance into the program is based on meeting the admission criteria, the student’s readiness for the program judged by the interview committee, and the availability of an adequate number of quality supervised practice sites for the community, clinical and management rotations.
Program Accreditation Status
The ExMet Coordinated Program is developmentally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association. “CADE is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.” Contact CADE at:
120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone:
312.899.4876
What is the American Dietetic Association?
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has nearly 70,000 members and is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.
- ADA's Mission: Leading the future of dietetics.
- ADA's Vision: ADA members are the most valued source of food and nutrition services.
Affiliated Associations
Fifty state dietetic associations, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the American Overseas Dietetic Association, are affiliated with ADA. Within these groups, there are approximately 230 district associations.
What is a Registered Dietitian?
A registered dietitian (RD) is a highly trained food and nutrition expert who has met stringent academic and professional requirements, including:
- Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
- Complete an accredited, supervised, six- to 12-month experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or foodservice corporation.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such aspediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education.
What is a Coordinated Program?
Each Coordinated Program (CP) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE). The CP must provide the required dietetics coursework and at least 900 hours of supervised practice within an academic program leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree. Graduates of Coordinated Programs who are verified by the program director are eligible to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians.
Employment Opportunities
Most registered dietitians work at hospitals and medical centers, private practice or other health-care facilities. Many work in community and public health settings, academia and research. Others work in food and nutrition industry and business, journalism, sports nutrition, corporate wellness programs and in other nontraditional settings.
RDs work in:
- Hospitals, HMOs or other health care facilities, educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team. They may also manage the foodservice operations in these settings, as well as in schools, day-care centers, and correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
- Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, educating clients about the connection between food and fitness, health, and exercise performance.
- Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries, working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development.
- Private practice, working under contract with health care or food companies, or in their own business. RDs may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
- Community and public health settings teaching monitoring, and advising the public, and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
- Universities and medical centers, teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students and others the sophisticated science of foods and nutrition.
- Research areas, in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals, directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.
Reference for ADA Information from the American Dietetic Association.
Curriculum with Schedule
- Student Advising Sheet, transferring from WSU Pullman (PDF)
- Student Advising Sheet, transferring from Spokane Community Colleges (PDF)
| FIFTH YEAR | |
| Fall Semester | Credits |
| ExMet 451 Mgmt Practices in Food Service | 5 |
| ExMet 437 Diet Therapy | 4 |
| ExMet 401 Community Supervised Practice | 9 |
| 18 | |
| Spring Semester | |
| ExMet 440 Clinical Supervised Practice | 11 |
| 11 | |
| Total Credit Hours, ExMet Coordinated Program in Dietetics Minor | 29 |
Anticipated Costs and Fees for ExMet CP Students*
All ExMet CP students at WSU Spokane are subject to the tuition and fees described in the WSU Spokane Course Catalog. Books, course materials, housing, and transportation vary depending on the individual and the course requirements.
Additional Expenses to Consider
| ExMet 340 Foods with Application to Physical Activity Course Fee | $20.00 |
| ExMet 440 Clinical Supervised Practice | $600.00** |
| ExMet 465 Nutrition and Exercise Assessment Course Fee | $75.00 |
| ExMet 470 Sports Nutrition Course Fee | $25.00 |
| ExMet 479 Nutrition and Exercise Practicum | $70.00 |
| ExMet 476 Exercise Testing and Prescription | $25.00 |
| Transportation to Supervised Practice Sites (estimated) | $125.00/mo. |
| Housing Costs (estimated for moderate studio apartment) | $550.00/mo. |
| Associate ADA Membership (recommended) | $43.00 |
| Greater Spokane Dietetic Association Membership (annual student rate) | $5.00 |
| Professional Liability Insurance (required) | $35.00 |
| First Aid/CPR Certification (Adults AED required) (CPR infants & children) | $90.00 |
| Health and Wellness Services (may be required) | $63.50 |
| Lab Coats (2) (some sites require professional dress including lab jacket/coat) | $60.00 |
| Physical Exam (required) | Variable |
| Food Handler's Permit (Washington State) | $8.00 |
| Name Tag | $10.00 |
| Proof of Health Insurance (required) for CP Students | Variable |
| *Students may purchase the WSU Spokane Student Medical Insurance Plan. See WSU Spokane Student Handbook for details. | |
| Books (This will depend on student's resources and individual needs) | Variable |
| Internet Access and Personal Computer (required beginning senior year) | $2500 estimated |
| Fingerprinting and FBI Criminal Background check fee | $90.00 |
*Estimated for 2005–2006
**Course fee pending approval