Public Policy Education: Insights From Graduate Dietetics Students

Authors

J. Mitchell Vaterlaus (0000-0001-7139-1457), Montana State UniversityFollow
Lindsay Ganong (0009-0004-4273-4181), Montana State UniversityFollow
D. Coleen Kaiser (0000-0003-4093-4759), Montana State UniversityFollow
Emily Patten (0000-0003-0161-383X), Brigham Young UniversityFollow

Author Biographical Information

J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, PhD, LMFT, CFLE, Professor, Department of Human Development and Community Health, Montana State University

Lindsay Ganong, MS, RDN, LN, Director of Dietetic Graduate Education & Clinical Supervised Practice, Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology, Montana State University

D. Coleen Kaiser, MS, RDN, LN, Director of Hospitality Management Program, Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology, Montana State University

Emily V. Patten, PhD, RDN, CD, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Objective: To examine graduate dietetics students’ experiences completing a public policy course outside of their discipline. Methods: Participants were 40 graduate dietetics students at a university in the Western United States. At the conclusion of a public policy course offered through another department, students completed online surveys with fixed-response and open-ended items. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t tests, and qualitative responses were examined using codebook thematic analysis. Results: Three themes included (1) Recognizing the interconnection between policy and dietetics practice, (2) From policy hesitancy to policy understanding; and (3) Humanizing policy: public policy and holistic client care. Students reported increased comfort with policy topics and identified connections between course content and their future roles. Conclusions and Implications: Students found value in a cross-disciplinary policy course. Cross-department courses may be a feasible and effective strategy for meeting accreditation standards and supporting students’ policy-related knowledge and confidence.

DOI

10.26890/dbfg2332

Recommended Citation

Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Ganong, Lindsay; Kaiser, D. Coleen; and Patten, Emily (2026) "Public Policy Education: Insights From Graduate Dietetics Students," Journal of Dietetic Education: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 6.
DOI: 10.26890/dbfg2332
Available at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/jde/vol4/iss1/6