51社区

Careers with the Dietetics Concentration

The Dietetics Concentration with the Applied Nutrition Major is for those interested in dietetics, nutrition counseling, public health/community nutrition, wellness, sports nutrition, and food service management careers.

Health-care facilities, community agencies, schools, sports teams, and food service operations all employ those with a dietetics background.

Post-graduate options for dietetic graduates include:

• Application for the nutrition and dietetic technician, registered examination
• Application to the dietetic internship (supervised practice program)
• And/or application to graduate study in dietetics, nutrition, some professional schools, and other areas.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the , the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). ACEND can be contacted by email (ACEND@eatright.org), phone (1.800.877.1600 x5400), or mail (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995).

Cost to the Student

Please visit the Office of the Bursar for program costs.

How to Become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)

Completing the dietetics concentration of the applied nutrition program qualifies the student to sit for the examination to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). The examination is offered by the (CDR), the credentialing agency for AND.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Completing the dietetics concentration is also the first step to becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master鈥檚 degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). See on the CDR鈥檚 website. See the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics'

In addition to the graduate degree, CDR requires individuals to complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND. In most states, RDNs also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. See .

How to Earn a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences

Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetics concentration at 51社区 are eligible to apply to the combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship program at 51社区 or other ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs.

Completion of the master鈥檚 degree and Dietetic Internship experience will enable them to apply to take the national credentialing exam administered by CDR to become an RDN. Find more information about the field of dietetics at the .

Admission to the Applied Nutrition Dietetics Concentration

Admission requirements to the dietetics program are the same as those for admission to 51社区 in general. No special prerequisites need to be met prior to declaring a major in applied nutrition-dietetics. Candidates are encouraged, however, to begin the program early in their college careers. High school chemistry and biological science courses also are strongly recommended. For information on admission to 51社区 for both freshmen and transfer students, visit 51社区 Admissions.

Dietetics Graduation Requirements

Students enrolled in the dietetic track must earn and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher to complete the degree conferral process. For students applying to dietetic internships programs, a GPA or 3.25 or higher is considered competitive. 

Completing the graduation requirements of 51社区 and the applied nutrition program (dietetics concentration) does not guarantee that you will be accepted into post-baccalaureate programs for professional experience after graduation. You must apply to and be granted acceptance into such programs.

Dietetics Concentration Courses

• BIOS 1300 - Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
• BIOS 1310 - Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4
• CHEM 1205 - Survey of Chemistry for Health Sciences Credit Hours: 4
• CHEM 1205L - Survey of Chemistry for Health Sciences Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
• HLTH 2300 - Medical Terminology Credit Hours: 3
• IHS 2220 - Cultural Competency in Interprofessional Health Care Credit Hours: 4
• NUTR 3100 - Medical Nutrition Therapy I Credit Hours: 3
• NUTR 3100L - Medical Nutrition Therapy I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
• NUTR 3230 - Fundamentals of Nutrition and Athletic Performance Credit Hours: 3
• NUTR 3600 - Nutrition Counseling Credit Hours: 1
• NUTR 3921 - Dietetic Field Experience Credit Hours: 4
• NUTR 4050 - Advanced Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
• NUTR 4100 - Medical Nutrition Therapy II Credit Hours: 1
• NUTR 4100L - Medical Nutrition Therapy II Laboratory Credit Hours: 3
• NUTR 4901 - Food and Nutrition Sciences Senior Seminar Credit Hours: 1
• NUTR 4920 - Nutrition Counseling Practicum Credit Hours: 1

Additional Information

See the Didactic Program in Dietetics Student Handbook

Please see the Didactic Program in Dietetics Student Handbook to learn more about the program calendar, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, technology requirements, policies and procedures to evaluate prior credit, and more. PDF available by contacting the DPD Program Director Jana Hovland.