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Frequently Asked Questions about CADE’s Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards Revision Process

1. What is the purpose of the CADE Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards (ERAS)?
2. By what authority does CADE have responsibility for the ERAS?
3. How does CADE define quality education?
4. How often does CADE review and revise the ERAS?
5. When was the last comprehensive review and what were the results?
6. When is the next comprehensive review?
7. What is involved in the comprehensive review?
8. What is the timeframe for the comprehensive review and revision of the ERAS?
9. If I have questions or comments about the ERAS revision process, whom should I call?

The ERAS are the threshold criteria that higher education programs preparing graduates to be RDs and DTRs must meet to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. The ERAS state the organizational requirements and resources the program must have to provide quality education, and the expectations for knowledge, skills and competencies students must have attained upon graduation.

The ADA Bylaws establish CADE as the organization unit to serve the public by establishing and enforcing standards for the educational preparation of dietetics practitioners and by recognizing dietetics education programs that meet these standards. According to the ADA Bylaws, “CADE has sole and independent authority in all matters pertaining to accreditation of entry-level education programs, including but not limited to standard setting, establishment of fees, finances, and administration.” CADE is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Recognition by USDE and CHEA affirms that CADE meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition/dietetics education programs.

3. How does CADE define quality education?

CADE defines quality education as the ability to prepare graduates with the foundation knowledge, skills and competencies to work effectively within their communities to improve the quality and quantity of food and nutrition for all people, both now and in the future.

The ERAS include curriculum requirements for both the RD and DTR level of practice. These requirements define broad-based foundation knowledge, skills and core competencies essential to dietetics practice at each level. In the current ERAS, knowledge and competency areas are communications, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, research, food, nutrition, management, and health care systems. For supervised practice programs, competencies specific to strategic market areas are defined to prepare graduates with the ability to immediately meet evolving and diverse market needs.

CADE continually evaluates all its policies and practices, including the ERAS. Since 1987, there has been a systematic process for measuring whether the accreditation standards are reliable and valid indicators for entry-level dietetics practice and assessing whether the accreditation process is meeting the programs’ and professions’ expectations. This process is the responsibility of the Accreditation Standards Committee, a standing committee of CADE. On an annual basis, the ASC monitors implementation of the ERAS and develops communications and training strategies. At least every five years, the ASC is expanded to include additional representatives of practice and research and conducts a comprehensive review of the ERAS.

5. When was the last comprehensive review and what were the results?

The last comprehensive review was in 2001. The 2001 ASC used the results of the 2000 CDR Practice Audit and an additional survey of entry-level practitioners and their employers to update the curriculum requirements (i.e., foundation knowledge, skills, and competencies for entry-level practice). The ASC also revised the remaining ERAS to focus on student learning and program outcomes. They sought input on the revisions from all stakeholders and presented a final document which CADE approved for implementation in 2002. All accreditation applications submitted to CADE on or after March 1, 2003 must comply with the 2002 ERAS.

The next comprehensive review is occurring in 2005-2006 in conjunction with the 2005 CDR Practice Audit, recommendations from the HOD Dietetics Education Task Force, revised criteria for recognition from CHEA and USDE and identification of strategic trends affecting education and practice. The 2005-2006 ASC was appointed in June 2005.

• Dietetics profession constituencies (education program faculty and preceptors, entry-level RDs and DTRs, the Commission on Dietetics Registration, ADA Board of Directors, House of Delegates and other members)
• CADE volunteer leaders (reviewers/site visitors and Commission members)
• External community (employers, program administrators, students, other accrediting agencies)

• Results of the CDR 2005 Practice Audit of dietetics practitioners and 2006 employer focus groups will be used to determine the validity of the curriculum requirements in Standard 2 relevant to current and future entry-level dietetics practice.
• Annual data from programs undergoing accreditation during the 5 years between comprehensive reviews will be compiled and analyzed to determine reliability issues.
• Feedback on each eligibility requirement and standard and the ERAS as a whole will be sought from all stakeholders (program faculty, administrators, students, practitioners and employers). This feedback will be compiled and analyzed along with the practice audit results and annual program accreditation review data.
• Reports on current professional practice and education; for example, the HOD Dietetics Education Task Force recommendations, Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework, Standards of Practice for Nutrition Care and Nutrition Diagnosis; research studies on competencies needed for specialty dietetics practice areas, and competencies for other professions relevant to dietetics will be reviewed and used as appropriate.
• Reports and requirements for accreditors established by the USDE, CHEA and higher education and healthcare organizations will be used as necessary to determine updates to the ERAS.
• Revisions to any and all components of the ERAS will be proposed based on all available, relevant data sources.
• Proposed revisions/updates to the ERAS will be circulated at least once to all stakeholders described above. Respondents will rate the ERAS on ease of interpretation (reliability) and relevance to current and future dietetics practice (validity).
• Based on this feedback, the revisions/updates will be finalized by the ASC and presented to the CADE Board for approval.

Finally, CADE will determine an implementation timeline and communicate the revised ERAS and timeline for implementation to all stakeholders.

This is a lengthy process as it involves collection and analysis of a great variety of information relevant to educating dietetics practitioners and time to apply the results to all components of the ERAS. Typically, it spans two to three years. The ASC began this process in September 2005 and will continue into 2007. Updates will be provided to stakeholders throughout the process on this Web site.

The CADE staff at ADA is prepared to answer any questions you may have. Please call 800/877-1600 ext. 5400 or e-mail us at cade@eatright.org. We encourage you to visit this section of the CADE Web page often for ASC updates.