The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of distance education in
undergraduate dietetics programs. Additionally, the possibility of obtaining an
undergraduate degree in dietetics via distance education was examined. The population
receiving the survey research was all directors (279) of Commission on Accreditation for
Dietetics Education (CADE) approved/accredited undergraduate programs listed in the
2001-2002 Directory of Dietetics Programs. This included the Didactic Programs in
Dietetics and Coordinated Programs. A database of the 54% survey respondents was
compiled and a numerical summary was done. Frequencies of the responses were
determined. Cross-tabulations using chi-square tests were done with Minitab Statistical
Software (version 13.1) to determine demographic influence as it related to key
responses, p <.05. The findings of the survey were compared with demographic
information to look for relationships between the characteristics of the higher education
institutions and their likelihood of offering distance education.
The dietetics program directors indicated that 32% (n=150) of undergraduate
dietetics programs offer distance education courses in some format. Land grant
universities were significantly more likely to offer dietetics distance education courses,
but less likely to offer non-dietetics distance education courses. Institutions that accept
transfer dietetics distance education courses from accredited institutions were more likely
to offer dietetics distance education courses. Institutions that offer non-dietetics courses
by distance education were more likely to offer dietetics courses by distance education.
The most common distance education format utilized in dietetics was 100% Internet
courses (48%). The majority of dietetics programs that offer distance education offer a basic or introductory nutrition course (31%). Perceived barriers to distance education in
dietetics most frequently included faculty time constraints (34%), lack of resources (17%)
and lack of student and faculty demand or interest (11%). Suggestions for encouraging
the development of dietetics distance education courses included give faculty more
preparation or release time, or hire more staff (32%), acquire adequate resources (17%)
and faculty training (12%). From the data of courses offered or permitted to be
transferred, it would not be possible for a student to complete a four-year undergraduate
degree in dietetics solely via distance education methodologies. / Graduation date: 2002
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/25958 |
| Date | 25 April 2002 |
| Creators | King, Carrie |
| Contributors | Holmes, Zoe Ann |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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