Evaluation of potential resources for an approved preprofessional practice program (AP4) at New Mexico State University

Abstract

Becoming a Registered Dietitian requires successful completion of three phases, one of which is an experiential program. This phase focuses on three practice areas: clinical nutrition, food service, and community nutrition. The competition for these experiential positions is intense. Based on data from the 1992–1993 American Dietetic Association Directory of Dietetic Programs, 7,430 students finished undergraduate dietetic programs, competing for 1,923 experiential positions. Dietetic undergraduates from New Mexico (NM) are especially affected, competing with 943 graduates from NM and the surrounding states for 178 positions in these states. The overwhelming need for an additional experiential program located in southern NM is supported by these data in addition to underlying factors such as low per capita income in NM and older average aged students at New Mexico State University.