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Review of the principles of nutrition and exercise with emphasis on counseling the athlete; facts and fallacies of sports nutrition; energy and fluid balance; evaluating sports nutrition information in the lay literature; appropriate diets for training; and managing the young person, older adult, and athlete with special needs. Planning meals for training and competition, as well as using computerized nutrient analysis, will be included.

This course introduces the student to the study of food and culture of diverse groups in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It examines how ethnic foods and dietary practices may affect the nutritional status of a population. It explores intercultural communication strategies and studies the history, religion, family structure, and traditional health practices to illuminate the cultural context from which ethnic cuisine emerges, evolves, and influences North American fare.

This course examines nutritional intervention strategies and counseling skills that pertain to disease prevention and management. It is designed to build appropriate knowledge base and skills levels needed to create appropriate care plans and counseling strategies designed to meet individual client assessment/counseling situations.

Emphasizes tools for developing community nutrition programs including planning, needs assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Public health nutrition programs and policies for varying population groups will be discussed for cultural, economic, and social health practices. Budgeting food for low-income populations, complementary/alternative medicine practices, and presenting nutrition education programs will be included.

Science-based courses

• 1 semester of Human Biology w/ lab-4 credits
• 2 semesters of General Chemistry w/ Lab- 8 credits
• 2 semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab- 8 credits
• 1 semester of Organic Chemistry- 3 credits
• 1 semester of Biochemistry- 3 credits
• 1 semester of Microbiology with lab-4 credits

Major courses

• Principles of Nutrition
• Food, Nutrition and Culture
• Food Science w/Lab
• Institutional Food Service
• Special Topics (Sports Nutrition, Culinary Nutrition)
• Nutrition Through the Lifecycle
• Nutrition Counseling
• Community Nutrition
• Nutrition and Disease I & II
• Nutrition Care Process
• Research Methods & Statistics in Nutrition
• Principles of Dietetics Management
• Healthy Food Prep w/Lab

Other Required Courses

• Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
• Introduction to Psychology
• College Algebra
• Principles of Communication
• Introduction to Multimedia

All of the above courses must be successfully completed to earn a verification statement to apply to a dietetic internship program. ("C" or better must be earned in all science courses and "B-" or better must be earned in all nutrition courses, plus a GPA of 3.0 or higher).

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the leading professional organization for registered dietitians and students.

Registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who must meet established criteria to earn the RD or RDN credential.

As of January 1, 2024, applicants looking to take the national registration examination must have a graduate degree. For more information, contact the Nutrition and Dietetics program’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) director or the .

Currently, the minimum requirements to become a registered dietitian include the successful completion of a: 1) bachelor’s degree in an accredited (ACEND) program, 2) verification statement, 3) dietetic internship program, and 4) passing (70%) the national registration examination.

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum requirements to become a registered dietitian will change to successful the completion of a: 1) graduate degree (either your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree must be from an accredited (ACEND) program), 2) verification statement, 3) supervised practice (also known as a dietetic internship), and 4) national registration examination. A verification statement will be required before taking the national dietetic registration examination to become an entry-level registered dietitian.

Incoming first-year students will be required to follow the requirements for the new education model that requires a graduate degree, verification statement, and supervised practice before taking the national registration examination.

Get an inside look at how the University will prepare you for a rewarding career as a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Get answers about our nutrition and dietetics program and the opportunities you will have a professional in this field.