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. 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.
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 111 | Fundamentals of Nutrition Science | 4 |
| OR | |
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 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 301 | Dietetics Profession | 1 |
| NUTR 311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 6 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
Capstone course(s) or Independent Learning for the Nutrition and Dietetics Majors
The writing intensive course requirement of PLAN is met by Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390). The Capstone course requirement of PLAN is met byAdvanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381 and Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390).
There is one required social science course related to human behavior; such as sociology or psychology.
There is one required social science course related to human behavior; at least one of these should be in sociology, psychology, or anthropology.
Suggested Course Sequence for Dietetics Major
First Year
Fall
| CHEM 111 | Principles of General Chemistry | 4 |
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
Spring
| CHEM 112 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
Second Year
Fall
Spring
*Biology or chemistry can be taken freshman and sophomore year; taking chemistry freshman year and biology sophomore year gives students more flexibility later.
Third Year
Fall
Spring
Fourth Year
Fall
Spring
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 6 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
Certificate of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
For those students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and who would like to complete solely the DPD requirements to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, the Simmons University Certificate in the Didactic Program in Dietetics is a post-baccalaureate program that allows students to just complete the DPD. Even students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline can complete the DPD Certificate program in order to apply for supervised practice program (e.g., dietetic internship). Please go to the Simmons University website for further details.
Program mission:
The mission of the Simmons University DPD (BS in Nutrition and Dietetics) 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 ($40/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). Note that these fees are subject to change.