title: A distance education in undergraduate dietetic education.
abstract: Distance education is an exploding phenomenon that allows people to pursue higher education on their own time, at a pace that meets their needs, in locations where there are no colleges and universities, or where there is not a desired program of study. This study examined the use of distance education in undergraduate dietetic education programs and the opportunities for obtaining an undergraduate degree in dietetics solely via distance education. A survey was sent to all directors (n = 279) of undergraduate programs accredited/approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education to determine the current status and projected future use of distance education in their institutions' on-campus programs. The survey had a 54% response rate. Approximately 32% (n = 150) of undergraduate dietetics programs offer distance education courses in some format. Institutions that offer nondietetics distance education courses were more likely to offer dietetics distance education courses. The most common distance education format utilized in dietetics was 100% Internet courses (48%). The most common distance education dietetics course offered was a basic or introductory nutrition course (31%). From the data of courses offered, or permitted to be transferred, it would not be possible for a student to complete an undergraduate degree in dietetics solely via distance education methodologies at the time this study was conducted.
authors.affiliation: University of Alaska Anchorage, Culinary Arts, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. afcdk@uaa.alaska.edu
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benton-King
authors.forename: Derek F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: ZoeAnn
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*