What are the options in the Nutrition Degree Program?
What types of courses will I take?
What do the foundation courses required for the program include?
What do the professional courses required for the program include?
How do I enroll in the Nutrition Degree Program?
How do I transfer into the Nutrition Degree Program?
How long will it take transfer students to complete the Nutrition Degree?
What kinds of positions related to food and nutrition will I be qualified for after completing the Nutrition Degree?
What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
What is licensure?

There are two options within the Nutrition Undergraduate Program:

• Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD)
• Nutritional Science

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Foundation courses, mostly basic science courses, are  required for the program.

The program also requires professional courses, mostly nutrition and nutrition-related courses, and liberal education courses that you select to meet requirements specified by the University.

See the following questions for listings of course requirements.

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• General Chemistry with lab --2 semesters
• Organic Chemistry --1 semester
• Biochemistry--1 semester
• General Biology with lab--1 semester
• General Microbiology with lab--1 semester
• Human Physiology with lab--1 semester
• Introduction to Statistical Analysis
• College Algebra and Probability
• Fundamentals of Management
• Two writing classes
• One speech class

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• Principles of Nutrition--1 semester
• Lifecycle Nutrition--1 semester
• Human Nutrition--1 semester
• Experimental Nutrition--1 semester
• Community Nutrition--1 semester
• Nutrition Education and Counseling--1 semester
• Medical Nutrition Therapy--2 semesters
• Nutrition and Metabolism--1 semester
• Food Safety, Risk and Technology--1 semester
• Introduction to Food Science--1 semester
• Socio-Cultural Aspects of Food
• Food Service Operations Management and Laboratory--1 semester each
• Principles of Food and Nutrition Management--1 semester
• Either Food Chemistry or Food Microbiology and Fermentations  --1 semester

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The University of Minnesota Office of Admissions handles all applications for undergraduate admissions to the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. For information on how to apply, application materials, a complete list of requirements for applicants, and an online application visit the Office of Admissions website.

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences administers the nutrition undergraduate programs. See their website for resource information.

Be sure to attend the orientation session to learn the procedures of your college and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition.

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1. The University of Minnesota Office of Admissions handles all applications for undergraduate admissions to the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. For information on how to apply, application materials, a complete list of requirements for applicants, and an online application visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. The Nutrition Degree Program is offered through the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. Contact the college to obtain application materials, fill them out, and return them to the college.

3. When admitted, be sure to have your credits evaluated for the Nutrition Degree Program. This evaluation will tell you and your advisor which courses you need to take to complete the program.

4. Attend orientation when assigned, to learn collegiate procedures and meet with an advisor to plan your program and register. Later, you will be assigned a permanent advisor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. If you miss orientation, it is likely that you will have to wait to be assigned to another orientation group, and fewer courses will be available to you for registration.

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Coming into the program with no chemistry, it generally takes two years to complete the chemistry courses and another year beyond that to complete the senior-level nutrition courses. However, the time it takes to complete the program also depends on the course load taken each semester and it would take longer if a full course load were not taken.

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Nutrition Program graduates qualify for a variety of positions related to food and nutrition. Some of the graduates become Registered Dietitians and may work in hospitals or other health-oriented organizations. Others may work in the food industry, the food service industry, community and governmental programs, sports nutrition, nutrition education, sales representatives for food, pharmaceutical or food ingredient firms, food safety positions, or in health and wellness programs for various organizations and corporate settings, or attend professional post-graduate programs or graduate school.

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Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

1. Completed a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

2. Completed a CADE accredited supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to twelve months in length.

3. Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website at www.cdrnet.org.

4. Completed continuing professional education requirements to maintain registration.

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The majority of states have enacted laws that regulate the practice of dietetics.  Should you plan to practice dietetics in these states, it is important that you contact a state regulatory agency prior to practicing dietetics. For the State of Minnesota, see www.dieteticsnutritionboard.state.mn.us/.

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