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Additional Nutrition and Dietetics Policies and Procedures

Nutrition and Dietetics students will be involved in field experiences, especially once they are admitted to Upper Division. Some of the experiences will be completed in labs in the School of Human Ecology, and some will be completed in health care and food service facilities in the local area. Travel will be at the student’s expense and at their own risk. All students participating in courses or activities that include field experiences will be asked to sign “hold harmless” agreements.

Insurance. Students enrolling in Food and Nutrition 302: Quantity Foods must acquire personal liability insurance AND medical insurance coverage. Proof of coverage must be provided to the course instructor on or before the first class meeting.

Group rates for personal liability insurance are available through Proliability.

The insurance costs $37 per year, if not a member of the Academy. NOTE: In order for students to be eligible for the group rate, they may be required to produce documentation to verify that they are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Attire. Students enrolled in FNU 232, 412, and 472 labs on campus will be required to wear a white ¾ length lab coat, non-slip closed-toe shoes and hairnets or nylon skull caps. Students in FNU 302 must wear approved clothing (easy care, washable scrubs in Tech blue), non-slip closed-toe shoes and hairnets or nylon skull caps. Name tags also are required.

Field Trips and Field Experiences. Field trips to professional activities such as district and state dietetic association meetings may be scheduled as part of class requirements. In addition, field trips to regional dietetic facilities may be planned in conjunction with specific course work. Students are expected to attend, but alternative assignments will be made for exceptional cases. As students participate in field experiences, association meetings, or other Tech related events, dress should be professional and appropriate. Tech blue scrubs or lab coats (name tags required) worn over professional street clothes may be required for certain activities.

Faculty maintain the right to make decisions regarding students’ participation in field experiences based on appropriateness of their appearance. Any experience denied the student on the basis of appearance will be the responsibility of the student to make up. A confirmed report of inappropriate behavior by a student in a facility will result in a grade of zero for that lab. No make-ups will be allowed.

FNU 302 is a field experience class where students go into local facilities.  Drug testing, immunizations, TB tests and criminal background checks may be required (check course syllabus for current requirements).  Students doing field experience may not be used to replace facility employees. If a student becomes ill or injured while in a facility for experiential learning, seek guidance from the designated supervisor regarding obtaining medical help and follow institution guidelines for reporting the incident as needed.   If necessary, call 911.

Transportation. Students need transportation for field experiences and field trips, but usually rides and expenses can be shared.  Students assume all liability for safety in travel to or from assigned area. Louisiana Tech University and the School of Human Ecology and its faculty are not responsible for liability of travel.

Costs. The basic cost of the baccalaureate program in dietetics is that associated with a college education.   Please refer to the cost of attendance calculator located at the University Financial Aid Resources webpage.

Tuition and other institutional fees shall be set by Louisiana Tech University.  Tuition is charged on a sliding scale determined by the number of credit hours carried by the student.  Tuition fee sheets are available from the Registrar’s Office and are available on the Louisiana Tech University at the Current Fees webpage.

Cost of books is difficult to estimate, but usually averages between $300 and $450 per quarter. Students who choose to rent books may spend less than this. Students should be aware that many of the books used in Upper Division FNU courses are used in multiple classes. Thus, the expense of books may be highest during the fall quarter.

Dietetics is a professional program, so there are professional costs in addition to academic costs. These include:

  • Liability insurance – Approximately $40/year
  • Professional association dues (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics $58, SDA $10) – $68/yr
  • Lab coat, scrubs, shoes, patches, name tag – $200
  • Field trips/field experience expenses (yearly) – Approximately $250
  • Medical testing(TB and drug) and background checks—approximately $100

Professional Organizations

All dietetic students are encouraged to join and participate in the Student Dietetic Association (SDA). SDA is involved in a variety of activities that include monthly meetings with guest presenters, fund raising activities, National Nutrition Month activities, and social events.  SDA dues are $15/year. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to become student members in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The cost of AND student membership is $58/year. 

Disciplinary and Termination Procedures

Students are expected to follow the University Honor Code and the University Behavioral Standards, as defined in the University Catalog and the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Behavior brochure (These are available here: Student Conduct and Academic Integrity). University procedures for disciplinary actions will be observed. Academic misconduct or violation of the University Honor Code will be reported to the University Honor Council. Behavioral misconduct will be reported to the University Behavioral Standards Committee. All disciplinary actions will be noted in the student’s departmental record. Termination from the DPD program is contingent upon meeting retention policy and university behavioral standards.

Grade Appeals/Complaints

Students wishing to appeal final grades in courses will be required to follow the University Grade Appeals procedure, as described in the University catalog section dealing with “Final Grade and Academic Appeals Procedures”. The appropriate form can be found at the University Academic Affairs page.

Students and/or experiential learning practitioners wishing to lodge a complaint about a faculty member or about the program should do so with the Director of the School of Human Ecology. If an agreement about settling the complaint is not made at this level, the next step would be to bring the complaint to the Associate Dean. If an agreement about settling the complaint is not made at this level, the next step is to make a formal complaint to the Dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.

If the issue remains unresolved after all other options with the program and University have been exhausted, students may then contact the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for complaints that relate to the program’s compliance with the Accreditation Standards or policies. ACEND is interested in fulfilling its public responsibility for assuring the quality and integrity of the educational programs that it accredits. However, ACEND does not intervene on behalf of individuals in matters of admissions, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty or students.

A copy of the accreditation standards and/or ACEND’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting:

ACEND
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
800.877.1600, Ext 5400

Written complaints should be mailed to the ACEND Chair or emailed to ACENDReports@eatright.org.

Grievance/complaints by students will be kept on file in the School of Human Ecology office for a period of 7 years and will include actions taken to resolve the problem.  Steps are in place that students have an administrator other than the Didactic Program Director to discuss the problem with and prevent retaliation.

Confidentiality of Student Records

All units of Louisiana Tech University have the responsibility for protecting the privacy of the individual student.  Records are maintained in the appropriate School office. Access is restricted per University Bulletin: see Policy 2318.  Students may access their own student files through contacting the HEC office or their academic advisor.

Withdrawal and Refund of Tuition and Fees

If withdrawing from Louisiana Tech University refer to the Louisiana Tech University Catalog, Academic Policies, “Resigning from the University“.

For refund of tuition and fees refer to the Louisiana Tech University Division of Finance “Fee Refund Policy“.

Scheduling and Program Calendar

Please refer to the University Academic Calendar for the quarter schedule, vacations, breaks, and holidays.

Access to Student Support Services

Students enrolled in the Dietetics program at Louisiana Tech University have access to all student support services including but not limited to University Health, Counseling, Financial Aid, University Police, and Testing and Disability Services.  Student services information is provided in the Louisiana Tech University 2022-2023 Catalog, Student Affairs. Student Financial Aid information is located in the  University Catalog, or on the Financial Aid web page. An additional student support resource is the Bulldog Achievement Resource Center (BARC) located in the Wyly Tower of Learning, phone 318.257.4730. The BARC provides academic and co-curricular resources including tutoring for a number of courses, writing assistance (writing center (318.257.4477) or 325 Wyly Tower), and basic and career studies services.

Paid Compensation Policy

Paid compensation is not available for DPD student credit at this time.

Absence Policy

The Louisiana Tech University Class Attendance policy is followed by the Nutrition and Dietetics DPD Program.  Specific information about the policy as it pertains to class requirements and absences can be found at https://www.latech.edu/administration/policies/p-2206/.

Professionalism

The accredited DPD Program at Louisiana Tech University abides by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics pledge of professional civility located at https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-ethics/professional-civility/pledge-of-professional-civility

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance calculator provides an estimate of the costs associated with attending Louisiana Tech University.  The elements associated with the Cost of Attendance include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Books, Course Material, Supplies, and Equipment
  • Transportation
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
  • Living Expenses (Food and Housing)

To calculate your estimated Cost of Attendance, click here to be taken to our Cost of Attendance calculator.