B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science

Emphasis Areas

Dietetics

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) within the BS degree in Nutrition and Food Science leads to the BS degree and verification statement, upon which, students are eligible to compete for ACEND-accredited dietetic internships and subsequently, take the registration exam for dietitians (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Upon successfully passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians, graduates earn the credential RD.

Completion of the Dietetics Program (DPD) does not guarantee future credentialing as a registered dietitian.  Graduates of the DPD must apply for and complete an ACEND-accredited dietetic supervised practice program and pass the credentialing examination for registration as a dietitian (RD) prior to being able to practice as an RD.  Acceptance into an accredited dietetic supervised practice program is fiercely competitive.

Job opportunities for graduates who ultimately obtain the RD credential are abundant in health care facilities, community wellness centers, quantity food production facilities, and food and insurance companies.  The dietetics curriculum includes advanced coursework in medical nutrition therapy, metabolic nutrition, quantity food systems administration, advanced food science, and community nutrition. This emphasis area is by admission.

Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND):

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, IL  60606
1-800-877-1600

What Can You Do with a Degree in Nutrition and Food Science?

The Nutrition and Food Science program is designed for students who have an interest in nutrition, food science, and dietetics, and enjoy working with others. The demand for informed professionals has created many exciting careers for Registered Dietitians and nutrition and food science professionals.

Employment Opportunities in Nutrition and Food Science

For more information on careers, visit the websites of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Institute of Food Technologists.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Make an impact and help others lead a healthful life!

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, a path of higher education is a must as well as a dietetic internship from an ACEND-accredited program, and passing the national registration examination. The exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

The Georgia Southern University Didactic Program in Dietetics provides you the opportunity to complete the required ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics and Bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement indicating this completion. (Step 1 in the 5 step process outlined below).

The 5 Steps:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics) Note, effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam.
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway of at least 1000 hours. Supervised practice/experiential learning can also be combined with the coursework in options such as:  Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s dietetic registration exam
4. Gain licensure in your state of practice. In the State of Georgia, and in many other states, you must hold a valid license issued by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed dietitians in order to practice dietetics. For more information on Licensure for Registered Dietitians in the State of Georgia, visit https://www.cdrnet.org/licensure.
5. Maintain continuing education.

Prospective Students

Students must first obtain admission to Georgia Southern University. Meeting the requirements below, students may choose to pursue either an emphasis in Food Science/Food Systems Administration or Community Nutrition. Students wishing to pursue the Dietetics emphasis must apply internally for admission to the Didactic Program in Dietetics. The application for this program as well as more information about the admission process can be found in the Student Handbook (PDF).

Admission Requirements

Dietetics Admission Requirements

The Didactic Program in Dietetics is a competitive program that admits a maximum of 35 students each year.

• Attain admission to Georgia Southern University
• Complete a minimum of 45 credit hours
• Achieve a minimum total overall institution GPA of 3.0 or better
  • All institutions attended are considered in the GPA
• Completion of  with “C” or better grade or current enrollment in the following coursework:
  • ACCT 2030
  • CHEM 1211K
  • KINS 2531/2511
  • NTFS 2514
  • NTFS 2534
  • NTFS 3534
  • STAT 2231
• Submission of Dietetics Emphasis application (PDF)
• Students transferring in from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics from another school are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Director who is responsible for determining which dietetics courses remain to be taken and which dietetics courses receive transfer credit. Adequate time must be allowed for scheduling, review, and notification. Students from other institutions are bound by admission and progression requirements of the Dietetics program at Georgia Southern.

Food Science and Food Systems Administration / Community Nutrition Admission Requirements

• Admission to Georgia Southern University
• An adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better on all course work attempted
• Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours
• A grade of “C” or better in all Area F course work

Student Learning Outcomes

Mission

The Mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Georgia Southern university is to promote the integration of knowledge and skills in dietetics in preparation for careers in nutrition and dietetics.

DPD Goals and Objectives

The DPD curriculum is designed to achieve the foundation knowledge skills and competencies necessary to prepare graduates for a dietetic internship program en route to becoming a registered dietitian. Details about the program, including admission requirements, calendar and completion requires are provided online and in the Student Handbook.

Program Goal #1

Program graduates will be prepared with developed skills necessary to assume entry level positions in the field of dietetics and nutrition or in a profession which requires the application of skills learned in the Didactic Program in Dietetics.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length).
2. At least 50 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
4. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
5. At least 80% of graduates will receive an overall satisfactory or better rating from their supervisor in supervised practice, graduate program or employment in the field of dietetics within 12 months of graduation.

Program Goal #2

Program graduates will participate in community service, research projects and professional development and will assume leadership roles within the field of dietetics.

Objectives:

1. At least 50% of DPD graduates will participate in community service and/or research projects.
2. At least 50% of graduates will participate in professional development activities, including membership in professional organizations and/or will assume leadership roles within the field of dietetics.

Program Outcomes Data are available upon request.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees charged by Georgia Southern University are approved by the University System of Georgia annually. For a comprehensive costs and affordability analysis, please visit https://em.georgiasouthern.edu/finaid/costs-affordability/.

Interested in a minor in nutrition and food science?

The nutrition and food science minor is open to any student interested in nutrition and food science.

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Last updated: 8/3/2023