Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
Overview
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.
Please refer to the DPD Program in the Graduate Catalog for details on program mission, goals, and other information related to the DPD.
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 contact the Department if they have questions on the application process after referring to the Nutrition Student Guide.
Program Requirements
Science Requirements
All dietetics majors must complete the following science courses.
All the above courses include a required laboratory course section, EXCEPT for
CHEM 223 and
STAT 118.
Nutrition Requirements
Students must complete the following nutrition courses.
These courses 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 311A | Nutrient Metabolism Part I | 4 |
| NUTR 311B | Nutrient Metabolism Part II | 2 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 334A | MNT I: Foundations in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 2 |
| NUTR 334B | MNT II: Application of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Disease | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
Social Science Course Requirement
Majors must complete ONE social science course; a focus on human behavior is required and often found in sociology or psychology courses.
PLAN Requirements for Majors
Nutrition and Dietetics Majors must complete the following courses to fulfill the specified PLAN Requirements: 1) Writing intensive course: NUTR 390; 2) Capstone course: NUTR 381.
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 4 |
Suggested Major Course Sequence
Year 1: Fall
| CHEM 111 | Principles of General Chemistry | 4 |
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
Year 1: Spring
| CHEM 112 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
*Biology or chemistry can be taken in a student's first and/or second year; taking chemistry in the first year and biology in the second year gives students more flexibility later.
Year 2: Fall
Year 2: Spring
Year 3: Fall
Year 3: Spring
Year 4: Fall
| NUTR 311A | Nutrient Metabolism Part I | 4 |
| NUTR 334A | MNT I: Foundations in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 2 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
Year 4: Spring
| NUTR 311B | Nutrient Metabolism Part II | 2 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 334B | MNT II: Application of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Disease | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition | 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.