Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences

Overview
Options
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Purpose

Dietetics is the high-tech science of applying food and nutrition principles to personal and community health.The field of dietetics has something to offer all health care consumers. The Registered Dietitian is the only nationally recognized credential in foods, nutrition, and dietetics, and is recognized as the nutrition expert in health care, nutritional counseling, food production, sales, and the media. Most employment in the health care industry requires the R.D. credential. Jobs with the most potential for advancement are closed to nutritionists, who are not registered dietitians.

Allied Health option students complete prerequisites courses needed to apply to a wide variety of healthcare professional programs or graduate school. Students receiving a degree in Nutritional Sciences - Allied Health option will be competitive because their educational experience brings a special dimension to their overall knowledge of the relationship of nutrition to health. The Allied Health option within the Nutritional Sciences program will allow students to utilize this bachelor degree to meet prerequisites for a variety of health professional programs, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiologic technology, dental hygiene, and physician assistant.

Specialty Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Northeastern State University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, The Northeastern State University Didactic Program in Dietetics (Nutritional Science: Dietetics, B.S.) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the American Dietetic Association (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-5400); www.eatright.org/acend.

Credential Requirements

Students in the Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics option complete the ACEND-accredited coursework required to apply to ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internships and take the Registered Dietitian (RD) exam. The NSU Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is the first step in the three step process of becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). The second step is the successful completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship. The third step is passing the national registration exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Additional fees apply for both testing and licensure. Students are encouraged to talk with their faculty mentor about the steps to become a registered dietitian.

Students in the Nutritional Sciences - Allied Health option are encouraged to talk with NSU’s pre-health advisor about graduate school applications and the steps to reach their professional goals.