Food and Nutrition: Dietetics and Nutrition & Fitness (B.S.)
The food and nutrition program offers two majors — dietetics, and nutrition & fitness. Both programs challenge you to strive for excellence and provide a pathway to graduate study. Through these programs, you will integrate the arts, humanities and social and natural sciences to gain a thorough understanding of food, food management and medical nutrition therapy.
In the dietetics curriculum, you will study food management and medical nutrition, preparing you to earn the Registered Dietitian credential following graduation. To gain familiarity with the profession and gain experience in the field, you are encouraged to join the ADA as a student member, as well as complete work experience related to dietetics.
You will apply to a dietetic internship program during the second semester of your senior year. After completing the postbaccalaureate program, which is usually eight to 11 months in length, you will be eligible to sit for examination to become a registered dietitian. Acceptance into a postbaccalaureate program is very competitive and based on your grade point average, recommendation letters, work experience, extracurricular activities, motivation and knowledge of the profession. A grade point average above 2.9 in both the major and support courses is recommended.
The didactic program in dietetics is currently granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, Suite 2000, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 800-877-1600.
In the nutrition & fitness curriculum, you will study exercise science and nutrition in-depth. After successfully completing the program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam to become an exercise instructor.
The food and nutrition programs are known for success. Our students often receive scholarships and awards from the ADA and related foundations to pursue their academic program. In addition, approximately 95 percent of our students earn placement in a postbaccalaureate experience, and 85 percent of our graduates who sit for the registration examination for dietitians pass on their first try.
At UD, you are encouraged to gain hands-on experience before graduation. Internships and experiences are available in cardiac rehabilitation, food production and purchasing, hospital and industry fitness centers, and laboratory research.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of career paths available to graduates of the dietetics program, and you may work in settings as varied as cafeterias, food and pharmaceutical companies, health care institutions, public and home health agencies, restaurants and schools.
Graduates of the nutrition & fitness program are qualified to work in a variety of areas, including cardiac rehabilitation, sport nutrition and weight management programs.