Dietetics and Nutrition
About This Program
You’re passionate about health and interested in how the food we eat can prevent and treat illness and disease. You want to help people live better, healthier lives by understanding how nutrients interact with the human body. Nutrition may be the major for you.
Department
Why Utica University
One of Utica University’s newest majors, Nutrition is an interdisciplinary science that requires an understanding of food production, consumption, and utilization. Students will experience relevant and exciting challenges in their pursuit of success and rewarding careers, including opportunities to conduct research or pursue an internship in the field of nutrition. Our distinctive, active learning approach promotes scholarship and social awareness.
Utica University offers two degree tracks for those interested in studying nutrition science. The first is a 4 year BS in Dietetics and Nutrition. This is a non-accredited program that will provide students a base education in nutrition science and can serve as a stepping stone for advanced degrees in Nutrition, Public Health, Nursing, Fitness, or other health professions. This program also would allow the graduate to work in the fields of fitness or public health, providing nutrition education.
Utica also offers a B.S./M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition, a 5-year coordinated program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students in the program will spend their first two years focused on completing the university’s general education requirements as well as science-based prerequisite courses. They will then move into the Dietetics and Nutrition – specific coursework, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, which will culminate with completion of a Master’s Research Project. Required supervised practice hours are met within specific Dietetics and Nutrition courses, and in one semester of full-time internship placements in the greater Utica area. Those who successfully complete both the academic and practical components of the program will be eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
The expanded coordinated Dietetics and Nutrition major, offering B.S. and M.S., was granted permanent accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) in January 2022. All graduates of the accredited B.S. / M.S. coordinated program will receive verification statements and be eligible to take the RDN certification exam. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400.
Nutrition is an interdisciplinary science that requires understanding of food production, consumption, and utilization. The mission of the Coordinated Dietetics and Nutrition Major is to prepare students to become entry level registered dietitian nutritionists through a curriculum that provides active and experiential learning and culminates with supervised practice. The CDNM provides the necessary knowledge and skills for the CDR credentialing exam. Our diverse approach emphasizes critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and integrating research into dietetics practice while encouraging a commitment to lifelong learning.
Program Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Upon completion of the Coordinated Dietetics and Nutrition Major, graduates will be prepared to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists, able to work competently in a variety of practice settings.
Objectives:
- At least 70% of graduates will demonstrate proficiency in using evidence-based guidelines in entry-level dietetics practice.
- At least 70 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- 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%.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 70 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 70% of employers who respond to a survey on graduates of the Utica University CDNM in their first year of employment will rate them as average or above average in professional knowledge and problem solving, as compared to other entry level registered dietitian nutritionists.
Goal 2: Graduates will demonstrate lifelong learning and commitment to furthering the nutrition profession.
Objectives:
- At least 70% of program graduates who respond to a Utica University alumni survey within 3 years of graduation will indicate that they have furthered their education by activities such as enrolling in graduate school, attending a professional conference, or earning a specialty certification.
- At least 50% of program graduates who respond to a Utica University alumni survey no less than 3 years after graduation will indicate that they are furthering the nutrition profession by engaging in activities such as acting as a preceptor, becoming involved in a professional nutrition association, or participating in an educational program.
- At least 80% of program students will complete program/degree requirements within 7.5 years (150% of the program length).
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
Utica University’s Dietetics and Nutrition major is a Coordinated Program. Students who meet the program’s academic standards will be able to complete their BS and MS in Dietetics and Nutrition while simultaneously earning the 1000 supervised practice hours required by ACEND, making them eligible to take the RDN credentialing exam. Students in the coordinated program are not required to apply to independent internships or participate in the matching process.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
For information regarding estimated expenses for travel, housing, books, liability insurance, unfiroms, or program-specifics fees, as well as application, admission, and graduation requirements, and the availability of financial aid, loan deferments, scholarships, and other monetary support, please review the Coordinated Dietetic and Nutrition Major Student Handbook.
Dietetics and Nutrition at Utica
Projected job growth for dietitian nutritionists by 2026.
Median annual wage (2017) for Dietitians and Nutritionists
Career Opportunities
Hands-On Learning
What You'll Learn
The Dietetics and Nutrition programs will prepare students for careers in the field of nutrition by introducing active and experiential learning throughout the curriculum. This science-based major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of:
- how the nutrients in our diet influence our health
- how to evaluate scientific research in nutrition (and translate that information into recommendations for clients)
- how to effectively communicate nutrition advice to the public
- the food supply from farm to table
The curriculum includes coursework in a variety of fields, such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and anthropology.
Dietetics and Nutrition Faculty
- Distinguished Professor of Biology
- Professor of Chemistry
- Internship Prog Dir Nutrition
- Associate Professor of Anthropology
- Professor of Biology
- Professor of Biology
A Degree That Works
Graduates from Utica’s nutrition program are prepared for careers as registered dietitians, nutritionists, or nutrition educators in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, non-profit organizations, state and local government, and more. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in nutrition, public health, or exercise science, or train to become medical professionals.
Preparing a Breakfast Performance Plate for Athletes
A guided walk-through of the Dining Commons with Utica Nutrition and Dietetics Intern Patrick Hynes, discussing the best way to prepare a breakfast performance plate for athletes.
Food Recovery Network
Utica University is now an official chapter member of Food Recovery Network (FRN), the largest student movement fighting food waste and hunger in America.
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Building a Lunch Performance Plate for Athletes
Utica Nutrition and Dietetics Intern Patrick Hynes takes a walk through the Dining Commons and discusses the best way to prepare a lunch performance plate for athletes.
Tangerine Grove Food Pantry
Utica University's Tangerine Grove food pantry provides necessities to students and staff in need regardless of age, culture, race, religion, or gender identification.
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