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 and offers two concentrations. The Nutrition and Dietetics (ND) concentration, also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of dietetics with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). 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 foods and nutrition 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.
Within the ND concentration, the Foods
and Nutrition Program offers a Combined
Degree Program: B.S. in Foods and
Nutrition / M.S. in Nutrition. For returning students, the ND concentration also offers two routes for candidates to earn an ACEND DPD Verification Statement. Students may fall under one of the two options: Second degree option for the ND concentration or the Special Conditions – Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement (non-degree).
Application to the major FN major requirements: Student application generally takes place between the second and third year or upon completion of the following courses for both concentrations: Professional Preparation, Intro Food Science, Basic Human Nutrition, Principles of Nutritional Assessment, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Introductory Chemistry, Introductory Organic Chemistry and Statistics. Acceptance into the ND concentration requires a minimum GPA of 2.8 (3.0 or higher is preferred to be considered competitive for acceptance to a supervised practice program). Applicants wishing to enter
ND concentration must also complete a
minimum of 50 hours in dietetics-related
work or volunteer pre-professional
experiences as a condition for acceptance. Acceptance into the GSFN concentration requires a minimum 2.5 grade point
average.
Concentration in Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
The ND concentration is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of dietetics
with the goal of becoming an RDN. Students who successfully meet degree and ND
concentration requirements receive a DPD Verification Statement. Qualified students in
the ND concentration are eligible to apply to either the SEU Combined Degree Program,
apply pre-select to the SEU combined MS/DI program, or apply to other ACEND supervised
practice programs or to a Future Education Model Graduate Degree program.
The ND concentration provides the core educational knowledge for RDNs. The curriculum
design follows the standards established by the ACEND. Application to the Foods and
Nutrition Program takes place between the second and third year. Students must apply
directly to the program and complete a required acceptance form in addition to completing
SEU’s major application process. Students must have a minimum 2.8 grade point average
to be accepted into the ND concentration. Students must have completed a minimum of 50
hours in dietetics-related work or volunteer experience as part of the acceptance criteria.
Students wishing to transfer to the ND concentration from another institution may need
six semesters to complete all program requirements based on course offerings and
individualized transfer needs.
RDN Professional Requirements: The issuing of a DPD Verification Statement establishes
student eligibility to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice or dietetic
internship program. Upon successful completion of the supervised practice, students are
eligible to sit for the national credentialing examination to become an RDN. Acceptance
to supervised practice programs is highly competitive, with the approximate national
placement being about 50% yearly.
Please note that beginning 2024, the professional educational standard will require that new
RDNs hold a master’s degree. Therefore, students entering nutrition and dietetics programs
need to plan accordingly. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website to learn
about the professional practice of nutrition and dietetics at www.eatrightpro.org.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) is to educate students through a holistic student-focused approach rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. We aim to prepare students for supervised practice and post-graduate experiences, advanced degree programs, and entry-level nutrition and dietetics employment.
- Program graduates will develop the breadth and depth of skills, knowledge, and professional values through a program curriculum that meets the ACEND Core Knowledge Requirements for the RDN.
- Program graduates will develop the values in personal and professional ethics, social responsibility, cultural humility, and leadership essential for nutrition and dietetics practice.
Program objectives and outcomes are available upon request from the DPD Director.
Required Courses (89 credits)
Core Requirements (53 credits)
| FN100 | Professional Preparation | 1 |
| FN200 | Introduction to Food Science with Lab | 4 |
| FN210 | Basic Human Nutrition | 3 |
| FN213 | Principles of Nutritional Assessment | 1 |
| FN235 | Methods of Nutrition Education | 4 |
| FN300 | Food Production Systems with Lab | 4 |
| FN320 | Nutritional Biochemistry I | 4 |
| FN323 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 4 |
| FN325 | Nutritional Biochemistry II | 4 |
| FN400 | Professional Practice in Dietetics, Foods & Nutrition | 1 |
| FN405 | Food Science & Experimental Foods with Lab | 4 |
| FN435 | Management in Dietetics Practice | 4 |
| FN463 | Nutrition Research Communication Seminar | 2 |
| FN490 | Capstone in Food and Nutrition | 1 |
| FN500 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FN501 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| FN502 | Medical Nutrition Practice I | 1 |
| FN503 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| FN504 | Medical Nutrition Practice II | 1 |
| FN507 | Service Learning/Field Experience in Community Nutrition | 1 |
Related Requirements (36 credits)
| BIO121 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO123 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO209 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM121 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM121L | Lab:Intro General Chemistry | 0 |
| CHEM123 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM123L | Lab: Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| BUS245 | Accounting for Health Care Professionals | 4 |
| MATH119 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
SOC
| Sociology Elective | 4 |
PSY
| Psychology Elective | 4 |
A grade of "C" or better is required in all major core courses and in the sciences and related requirements.
BUS245: or substitute course.
BIO111 is prerequisite for BIO209.
FN320 may be taught through the Chemistry program.
Students may complete the higher level chemistries: CHEM151, CHEM153 and CHEM211, CHEM213 as substitutes for CHEM121 and CHEM123. Students planning to make modifications to either the chemistry or biology requirements must meet with the DPD Director to carefully plan their course sequencing.
Concentration in General Studies in Foods and Nutrition
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 foods and nutrition 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.
Students are encouraged to plan for a minor early in their academic careers. Please speak to your advisor. Commonly selected minors include chemistry, business or psychology.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the GSFN concentration is to prepare students with broad foundational knowledge of food and nutrition principles and practices leading to future studies through a student-centered multidisciplinary approach rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition.
- The program will prepare graduates
in general studies of foods and
nutrition, which may be combined with
another area of study (e.g., business,
communications, allied health, pre-
medical studies, etc.) for a special
career in foods and nutrition, as well
as preparing students for graduate
studies.
- Integrated foods and nutrition-related
learning opportunities will prepare
graduates to develop their personal
and professional ethics, social
responsibility, service, leadership, and
an appreciation for lifelong learning.
Required Courses (73 credits)
Core Requirements (41 credits)
| FN100 | Professional Preparation | 1 |
| FN200 | Introduction to Food Science with Lab | 4 |
| FN210 | Basic Human Nutrition | 3 |
| FN213 | Principles of Nutritional Assessment | 1 |
| FN235 | Methods of Nutrition Education | 4 |
| FN300 | Food Production Systems with Lab | 4 |
| FN320 | Nutritional Biochemistry I | 4 |
| FN323 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 4 |
| FN325 | Nutritional Biochemistry II | 4 |
| FN400 | Professional Practice in Dietetics, Foods & Nutrition | 1 |
| FN405 | Food Science & Experimental Foods with Lab | 4 |
| FN463 | Nutrition Research Communication Seminar | 2 |
| FN490 | Capstone in Food and Nutrition | 1 |
| FN500 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FN507 | Service Learning/Field Experience in Community Nutrition | 1 |
Related Requirements (32 credits)
| BIO123 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM121 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM121L | Lab:Intro General Chemistry | 0 |
| CHEM123 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM123L | Lab: Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| BUS200 | Principles of Management & Management Skills | 4 |
| BUS245 | Accounting for Health Care Professionals | 4 |
| MATH119 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
SOC
| Sociology Elective | 4 |
PSY
| Psychology Elective | 4 |
A grade of "C" or better is required in all major core courses and in the sciences and related courses.
FN320 may be taught through the Chemistry program.
Students may complete the higher level chemistries: CHEM151, CHEM153 and CHEM211, CHEM213 as substitutes for CHEM121 and CHEM123.
Students may also elect to complete BIO121.
Students must work with a FN advisor in planning their course sequence.
BUS245: Or course substitution.
Second Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
The second degree option is designed for the student who holds a B.A. or a B.S. degree in a non-related field, and requires a minimum of 32 credits to complete the degree and Nutrition and Dietetics coursework to meet ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics verification requirements. Students earn a B.S. in Foods and Nutrition and a DPD verification statement. (Please review the University's policy on Second Baccalaureate Degree.) Applicants entering the program through the second degree option are required to formally apply to the major meeting all the established criteria described for the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration.
Interested students must:
Contact the DPD Director and complete an Initial Review of Application. This process should be completed by July 15 for consideration of the Fall admission and by November 15 for consideration of a January admission. Please see Second Degree leading to DPD Verification Application Information. This link will outline the Initial Review of Application process in detail.
- Meet the University's requirements for a second degree.
- Hold a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in past college-level studies. Prospective students not meeting this standard must submit a letter discussing past academic performance (see Initial Review of Application).
- Successfully complete all identified coursework requirements towards the ND/DPD concentration determined on an individual basis, but must meet a minimum of 24 credits towards the major.
- Complete one four-credit course under the SEU Essentials General Education requirements, Element III.
- Maintain academic standing GPA 3.0 or higher for ND concentration, demonstrate attainment of all ACEND educational requirements and pre-professional standards as outlined for students enrolled in the ND concentration.
- Applicants must formally apply to the major meeting all the established criteria described for the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration.
- Initial Review/Acceptance of transfer credit towards second-degree: Only coursework with a letter grade of "B" or higher for the ND concentration requirements and related courses will be accepted for initial transfer. Exceptions to this will be considered for applicants who have earned a course grade of "C" in a required-related course but who hold a degree in the field of study (e.g., chemistry). Upper-level nutrition courses completed at another institution must be completed within the past five years to transfer. The decision to accept a course will be based upon the DPD Director’s evaluation. FN320 and FN325 (Nutritional Biochemistry I and II) and all courses with specific ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics student learning outcomes must be completed at the University unless specific permission is provided by the DPD Director or the FN Program Chair.
- Foreign Degree: The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for students whose first language is other than English. TOEFL scores and a PDF copy of the original educational services transcript that states U.S. degree equivalency. See ACEND for list of approved foreign degree transcript evaluation agencies. Available at: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/international-students/foreign-degree-evaluation-agencies. On occasion, a copy of the foreign degree may be requested.
- NOTE: Applicants must first complete and submit the required Initial Review of Application to the DPD Director. Once initial DPD review completed, qualified applicants will be directed to apply through the Office of Admissions under the Continuing Studies Program.
Special Conditions - Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement option meets the needs of students who already hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in foods, nutrition, or dietetics, and who wish to complete Didactic Program in Dietetics coursework to meet ACEND DPD verification statement requirements. Upon final completion of coursework, a DPD Verification Statement is issued to the candidate by the DPD Director. This is a non-degree option and is only available to qualified candidates. SEU students who finished their first degree under the General Studies in Foods and Nutrition concentration and who qualify, may apply.
Qualified applicants must:
Contact the DPD Director and complete an Initial Review of Application. This process should be completed by July 15 for consideration of the Fall admission and by November 15 for consideration of a January admission. Please see Special Options DPD Verification for Applicants Who Hold a Related Nutrition Degree. This link will outline the Initial Review of Application process in detail.
- Applicants must either 1) hold a B.A. or B.S. degree in foods and/or nutrition, or related area of study from a U.S. regionally-accredited institution, or 2) be a graduate of the SEU FN program under the General Studies in Foods and Nutrition concentration.
- Have completed degree requirements within the past five years or demonstrate substantive professional experience.
- Hold a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in past college-level studies.
- IMPORTANT: Coursework that will be counted towards the DPD verification, or where a student has received a grade of "C" the applicant may be advised to repeat to remain competitive for application to a dietetic internship or for graduate studies.
- NOTE: Applicants must first complete and submit the required Initial Review of Application to the DPD Director. Once initial DPD review is completed, qualified applicants apply through the Office of Admissions under the Continuing Studies Program.
If accepted:
- Enroll as non-matriculated visiting student.
- Applicant must successfully complete all identified coursework requirements towards the ND/DPD concentration. This will be determined on an individual basis, but must meet a minimum of 12 credits in the DPD core concentration at SEU. In some cases, students may be required to exceed this minimum.
- Complete Medical Nutrition Therapy and Practice I, and II at SEU.
- Maintain academic standing of a letter grade of B or higher in all courses completed.
- Demonstrate attainment of all ACEND educational requirements, and pre-professional standards as outlined for students enrolled in the ND concentration.
- Demonstrate continuous enrollment (fall/spring academic calendar) until DPD verification coursework is completed. Generally, this will be completed within one to three semesters.
- Please note, the DPD Director maintains the right to withhold verification or dismiss any student in the special considerations option who fails to meet established standards.