Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
The nutrition and dietetics major includes all courses required for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The Simmons University Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606, 312- 899- 0040 ext.5400 (see the Didactic Program in Dietetics section for program goals and outcomes). It should be noted that fulfilling the courses required for the Didactic Program in Dietetics is only one step in the credentialing process for dietetics practitioners. In addition to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, the undergraduate DPD completion must be followed by the successful completion of an accredited supervised practice program (e.g., a dietetic internship program (DIP)) and a master's degree (or higher, in any field), to ensure eligibility to take the RD examination. The application to the DIP is a separate process, and completion of the DPD in no way guarantees acceptance into a DIP. The dietetics internship application process is competitive and not all applicants are accepted.
Over the past year, about 76% of all those applying nationally were accepted into dietetic internships nationally. To plan their schedules appropriately, students should note that the courses in the basic sciences are prerequisite to upper-level work in the department (courses numbered in the 200 and 300 series). Students are expected to meet departmental criteria regarding academic performance, grades, health status, and professional behavior. Students must formally apply for this major. Details on the application process and criteria for acceptance into the Nutrition and Dietetics major, are provided in the Department of Nutrition Student Guide. Students should email Leah Smith if they have questions on the application process after referring to the Nutrition Student Guide.
Science Requirements
All dietetics majors must complete the following science requirements.
Nutrition Requirements
Students must complete the following nutrition requirements.
These requirements also fulfill the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements.
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | OR | |
| NUTR 111 | Fundamentals of Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | | |
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 237 | The Practice of Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 248 | Food Production and Service Systems | 4 |
| NUTR 249 | Leadership in Food Service Management | 4 |
| NUTR 311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 301 | Dietetics Profession | 1 |
Capstone course(s) or Independent Learning for the Nutrition and Dietetics Majors
For those students entering as freshman the fall, 2015 or later, there are two Capstone courses that are required under the PLAN: these are Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381 and Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390). For those students entering as freshman prior to the fall 2015 semester, the All College independent learning requirement is met by these same two courses: Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381), and Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390).
There are two required social science courses related to human behavior; at least one of these should in sociology, psychology, or anthropology.
Suggested Course Sequence for Dietetics Major
First Year
Fall
| | Boston Course | |
| | Simmons Course-Explore | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of General Chemistry | 4 |
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | Language Requirement | |
Spring
| CHEM 112 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| | Leadership Course | |
| | Language requirement or Elective or All College Requirement (Mode or PLAN) | |
Second Year
Fall
| BIOL 113 | General Biology | 4 |
| NUTR 248 | Food Production and Service Systems | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychological Science | 4 |
| | Elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Spring
| BIOL 221 | Microbiology | 4 |
| STAT 118 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
| NUTR 237 | The Practice of Community Nutrition | 4 |
| | Elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
*Biology or chemistry can be taken freshman and sophomore year; sometimes taking chemistry freshman year and biology sophomore year gives students more flexibility later.
Third Year
Fall
| BIOL 231 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 4 |
| | Two electives or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Spring
Fourth Year
Fall
| NUTR 311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| | Elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
| NUTR 301 | Dietetics Profession | 1 |
Spring
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| | One elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Dietetic Internship
The department of nutrition offers two accredited graduate dietetic internship options to prepare baccalaureate nutrition and DPD Certificate graduates for entry-level dietetic practice and eligibility for the registration examination.
Track 1) Stand-alone dietetic internship program: This track is composed of 8 months of supervised practice that meets the ACEND requirements for a stand-alone dietetic internship. The emphasis of the program is on community dietetics practice health promotion and wellness. Admission to the nutrition and dietetics program/ certificate does not guarantee admission to a dietetic internship. Please go to the Simmons University website for further details.
Track 2) Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program: This track includes both the supervised practice hours and experiences that meet ACEND’s requirements for dietetic internship and also includes the academic coursework to earn a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion.
Students may choose either concentration with the Master’s program: wellness or entrepreneurship. To complete this program and earn a verification statement, all requirements must be met for the supervised practice portion and the academic requirements to earn the MS degree.
Dietetic Internship concentrations: The Simmons University dietetic internship program has two ACEND recognized concentrations. The first is in community nutrition, wellness and health promotion and focuses on providing nutrition intervention in community settings. This is the concentration that all interns will automatically be enrolled in, unless the intern applies and is accepted into the second concentration in The Treatment of Eating Disorders.. This concentration trains interns to enter the field as a specialist in eating disorder treatment. To complete this concentration, an intern must apply and be accepted into the program. To complete this concentration, the intern must complete NUTR 420 with a grade of B or better, and complete at least 8 weeks of supervised practice in various settings of supervised practice that specialize in eating disorder treatment.
Certificate of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) fulfills one of the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian. The courses required for this program can be completed within the context of the Simmons University curriculum either as a part of a bachelor’s degree or in addition to an already completed bachelor’s degree through the DPD Certificate. See the graduate catalog for further details.
Program mission:
The mission of the Simmons University DPD is to educate students and foster an appreciation of lifelong learning in preparation for supervised practice, and success in the nutrition and dietetics profession. We aim to prepare students to be effective in a profession that improves the eating behaviors and subsequent health and quality of life of a multicultural and diverse population, a profession that adds to the scientific investigation about food and health, and one that fosters an appreciation of nutrition and dietetics' relationship to other sciences.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics' goals and corresponding program outcomes are shown below:
Goal 1: Simmons University DPD graduates will be prepared to become competent entry level dietetics professionals.
Goal 2: Program graduates will be well prepared to succeed in one or more of the following: a nutrition related graduate program or nutrition related employment.
Corresponding Program objectives:
At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length).
At least 50% BS/70% of DPD students of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 55% BS/80% DPD students% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
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%.
At least 75 % of graduates will agree or better to being prepared on 75% of the items (that pertain to content they learned at Simmons) on the graduate survey.
At least 75% of Directors of Supervised Practice will rate Simmons University DPD graduates as adequately prepared or better on 75% of items listed on the survey.
Graduates who applied to nutrition/public health related graduate programs, 70% will be admitted within 12 months of application.
Graduates who sought nutrition/public health related employment 50% be employed within 12 months of application.
Additional Program Information
- Laboratory coat ($35).
- Individual course materials (e.g. books, access to professional electronic resources) should be expected.
- Membership fees recommended for the program may include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ($58, OPTIONAL but strongly recommended).
- Transportation to clinical and fieldwork sites ($30/semester).
- Transportation, meal costs, and registration fees to attend professional meetings and practical experiences should be expected.
- Most internships charge an application fee between $50 and $100. Additionally, there is a fee to register with the Centralized Application System (]~$50 for the first application and $25 for each application after) and $55 to apply to the computer matching process used to determine intern placement (through D & D Digital). Note that these fees are subject to change.