Foods and Nutrition
Program Overview
Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition
The undergraduate Foods and Nutrition Program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for entry into foods, nutrition and dietetics-related professions or advanced study. The curriculum is designed to offer two concentrations. The Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration (ND)* is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of dietetics with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD/RDN). Students who successfully meet degree and Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration requirements receive a verification statement. This provides eligibility to apply to a dietetic internship program. The Dietetic Internship is also required to sit for the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. The General Studies in Foods and Nutrition (GSFN) Concentration is designed to allow students more flexibility in planning their career paths. Students are encouraged to combine their FN studies with a minor, offering the opportunity for students to expand their personal interests in other health-related areas such as fitness and wellness, nutrition research, public health or opportunities within the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The Program encourages students to adopt an integrated, holistic approach to understanding the food and nutritional needs of individuals, through a rigorous course of study that provides a strong foundation in the sciences and liberal arts. Emphasis on personal enrichment with leadership, social responsibility, service and ethics within a diverse society is central to the Program's mission.
*Please note the Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration is also known as a Didactic Program in Dietetics or DPD Program.
Combined Degree Program: B.S. in Foods and Nutrition/M.S. in Nutrition
The College of Saint Elizabeth offers a Combined Degree Program (B.S. in Foods & Nutrition/M.S. in Nutrition) offered through the undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration. The M.S. program emphasizes nutrition and health promotion, wellness, leadership, and health advocacy. Eligible undergraduate students can earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in a unique combined program format. Students complete 9 graduate credits in partial fulfillment of the 30 credits required for the M.S. degree in Nutrition during their senior/fourth year of study. These 9 credits also fulfill the ND concentration requirements. Students interested in the B.S./M.S. program option must meet the program's eligibility criteria.
Master of Science in Nutrition
The 30-credit online graduate program in nutrition combines advanced study in nutrition and health promotion with a unique, competency-based curriculum that provides nutrition and health professionals with a broad perspective of current issues in nutrition research and ethics, health promotion and healthy aging, counseling and communications, public health and program planning. The program emphasizes ways to incorporate new research and technology, evidence-based applications, and entrepreneurial skills into the practice of nutrition. The program offers a choice of concentrations in Entrepreneurial Nutrition Practice, Community Nutrition and Wellness as well as a Certificate in Sports Nutrition and Wellness. All core courses and most electives are offered online and it is possible to earn the degree fully online. Some electives and courses in the Certificate in Sports Nutrition and Wellness are offered in a traditional campus setting or in an accelerated conference format on campus.
Nutrition professionals develop skills to assume leadership roles in delivering nutrition and wellness-related services in a variety of settings. The program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in business, government, health care, and education. Graduates work in private practice, nutrition education, school systems, the food and pharmaceutical industries, clinical and corporate research, community organizations, hospitals, public health agencies, work site wellness and health promotion programs, and fitness facilities.
Combined Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Program
The Combined M.S. in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Program (MS/DI) includes 20 credits specific to the Master's in Nutrition and 18 credits specific to the dietetic internship program. Students are accepted into this option through a rigorous application and matching process. Information about application and matching is available at http://www.steu.edu/academics/prof-studies/foods-and-nutrition/dietetic-internship/application-instructions. Students complete 20 credits of Master's coursework and 18 credits of dietetic internship specific coursework to earn both the M.S. in Nutrition and a verification statement of program completion. Students are then eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD/RDN). The MS/DI Program's Concentration is in Entrepreneurial Nutrition Practice. The Program is designed to ensure training and skills in the practice competencies established for entry-level dietitians.
Statement of Accreditation Status
The B.S. in Foods and Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration and the Dietetic Internship Program are currently granted continued accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and are accredited through 2015.
ACEND is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND can be contacted at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606 or www.eatright.org.
Program Goals
Bachelor of Science in Foods in Nutrition
Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration
- Prepare students for the professional practice of dietetics through a program that meets ACEND Foundation Knowledge Requirements and Learning Outcomes within a multidisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.
- Integrate learning opportunities for students to develop personal and professional ethics and social responsibility required for dietetics practice.
- Prepare students with the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and to assume roles for continued professional development in dietetics, leadership and service to the community through student advising and active learning experiences.
General Studies in Foods and Nutrition Concentration
- Prepare students in general studies in foods and nutrition which may be combined with another area of study (i.e., business, communication, allied health, or as entry to pre-medical studies, etc.) for a special career in foods and nutrition, and preparation for graduate studies.
- Integrate foods and nutrition-related learning opportunities for students to develop qualities of personal and professional ethics, social responsibility, service, leadership and an appreciation for lifelong learning.
Master of Science in Nutrition
- Demonstrate acquisition of knowledge and the ability to evaluate and communicate nutrition information through completion of a capstone experience.
- Demonstrate attributes of professional development to be effective and productive citizens and life-long learners in a global society.
- Promote professional leadership and ethical practice in a spirit of service to the community.
Dietetic Internship Program
- Increase readiness for supervised practice through MS coursework that increases students' core knowledge, critical thinking and professional confidence.
- Prepare students for entry level positions in dietetics meeting the Core Competencies for the RD/RDN as established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
- Promote evidence-based practice with an emphasis on acquisition of knowledge and practice skills specific to the Entrepreneurial Nutrition Practice Concentration.
- Provide a supportive environment in which students develop leadership and professional dietetic practice knowledge and skills through self-assessment of competence, initiation of draft professional portfolio and completion of capstone portfolio.
- Promote ethical practice in a spirit of service and social responsibility.
Graduates
The professional field of foods, nutrition and dietetics is a dynamic career choice in today's health and consumer oriented society. This field offers the potential for a wide variety of employment options within the food industry, communications and health-related fields.
Our graduates have developed successful careers in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry as regulatory affairs specialists or as supermarket specialists, in communications as food writers, in education, community and public health agencies, and in the areas of nutrition counseling, corporate wellness, personal health, lifestyle motivation, and fitness.
Many graduates complete their program requirements to become Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists. As RD/RDNs they are highly trained and qualified to offer specialized, in-depth medical nutrition and preventive nutritional care to patients and clients. For more information on careers in dietetics please see the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website at www.eatright.org.