What are the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards?
The Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards 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 and competencies students must have attained upon graduation. There are ERAS for both the RD and DTR level of practice. Each set defines broad-based foundation knowledge and competencies essential to dietetics practice at the respective level.
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. View the currently effective 2002 ERAS and the recently revised and approved 2008 ERAS, which will be mandatory March 1, 2009 using the links below.
- Accreditation Process 2002 ERAS
Applications for candidacy, initial and continued accreditation must address the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards in effect at the time each application is submitted. The 2002 ERAS are available here and will be in effect until February 28, 2009. - Accreditation Process 2008 ERAS
Applications for candidacy, initial and continued accreditation must address the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards in effect at the time each application is submitted. The 2008 ERAS will be mandatory March 1, 2009. Link here to the new 2008 ERAS for each program type. - Return to Frequently Asked Questions about Accreditation of Dietetics Education Programs