Report on the Development of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics’ Academic “Accreditation Standards for Advanced Practice Doctoral Education in Nutrition and Dietetics”

The dietetics profession is facing a shortage of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) with a terminal degree. The need for doctoral-prepared RDNs was augmented with the entry-level RDN requiring a graduate degree and exacerbated by the number of retirees from the baby-boomer generation. Advanced practice doctoral (APD) programs can assist in meeting the increased need for doctoral-prepared RDNs. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Board established an Expanded Standards Committee to develop the APD academic accreditation standards, which included creating and validating doctoral-level competencies in dietetics practice. The development began with a review of the literature, including a review of advanced practice standards for nondietetic, health-related professional programs and professional-doctorate accreditation standards, and focus groups to investigate the perception and need. A rigorous, iterative, Delphi research process was used to develop the academic standards, competencies, and respective performance indicators. The iterative approach resulted in 8 validated standards with 14 competencies with 34 performance indicators for the academic accreditation APD standards. The APD standards define an advanced practice professional doctorate curriculum that is distinct from the entry-level graduate degree in clinical nutrition programs, as well as the research PhD, as it incorporates advanced didactic coursework, advanced practice residency, and applied practice-based research to achieve specific practice-based competencies. Academic accreditation at the doctoral level ensures quality programs that are educating RDNs who are competent at the advanced-practice level, enhancing not only professional practice, but also advancing research supporting practice, education, and leadership.