Dietetics Major
There are two options within the Dietetics major: (a) Dietitian Education Program and (b) Didactic Program. Both programs include all didactic courses required to be accredited by the The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Only graduates of ACEND-accredited programs are eligible to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).
Students with a major in Dietetics are employed in many settings such as hospitals, clinics, community health programs, businesses, industries, school food services, and as consultants in homes for the elderly and other service institutions. Research and development opportunities are available in industry, government, and universities; in regulation of food quality through government agencies; and within companies as communication specialists.
Note: Transfer credits in dietetics or food and nutrition from other institutions must have grades of 'C' or better to be accepted for the Dietetics program at NDSU.
Dietitian Education Program (DEP) Option
This option prepares professional dietetic practitioners for work in entry-level positions in hospitals, nursing homes, out-patient clinics, businesses, and community agencies. Students in the Dietitian Education Program will complete 1,200 supervised practice hours as part of the undergraduate curriculum allowing them to take the registration examination upon graduation. The Dietitian Education Program has a gerontology concentration to train students on the health concerns of the aging population.
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Option
This option meets the requirements for entrance into an accredited dietetic internship and prepares graduates for internships in hospitals, as well as in health care related organizations. After earning the BS in dietetics, graduates will need to complete the 1200 supervised practice hours (internship) in order to be eligible to take the registration exam for dietitians.
Acceptance into either Dietetics program is competitive and enrollment is limited. Students who have completed the prerequisite courses apply for admission in February. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredits both program options.
Major Requirements
Major: Dietetics
Option: Dietitian Education Program with Gerontology Concentration (DEP)
Option: Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
Degree Type: B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 120
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| College Composition I | |
| College Composition II | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
† | |
| Total Credits | 39 |
Major Requirements
A grade of "C" or better is required in all HNES prefix courses.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| ANTH 111 | Introduction to Anthropology (May satisfy general education category B and D) | 3 |
| BIOC 260 | Elements of Biochemistry | 4 |
BIOL 220
& 220L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S) | 4 |
BIOL 221
& 221L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 117 | Chemical Concepts and Applications (May satisfy general education category S) | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking (Will satisfy general education category C) | 3 |
| ECON 105 | Elements of Economics (May satisfy general education category B and G) | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I (Will satisfy general education category C) | 4 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II (Will satisfy general education category C) | 3 |
| 3 |
| Business and Professional Writing | |
| Writing in the Sciences | |
| Writing in the Health Professions | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | |
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | |
| HNES 141 | Food Sanitation | 1 |
| HNES 250 | Nutrition Science (May satisfy general education category W) | 3 |
| HNES 251 | Nutrition, Growth and Development | 3 |
HNES 261
& 261L | Food Selection and Preparation Principles
and Food Selection and Preparation Principles Laboratory | 5 |
| HNES 291 | Seminar | 1 |
| HNES 351 | Metabolic Basis of Nutrition | 4 |
| HNES 354 | Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy | 4 |
HNES 361
& 361L | Foodservice Systems Management I
and Foodservice Systems Management I Laboratory | 6 |
HNES 442
& 442L | Community Health and Nutrition Education
and Community Health and Nutrition Laboratory | 5 |
| HNES 452 | Nutrition,Health and Aging | 3 |
| HNES 458 | Advanced Medical Nutrtion Therapy | 4 |
| HNES 460 | Foodservice Systems Management II | 3 |
| MATH 103 | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Finite Mathematics |
MICR 202
& 202L | Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab (May satisfy general education category S) | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy general education category B) | 3 |
| PSYC 211 | Introduction To Behavior Modification | 3 |
| or PSYC 280 | Introduction to Health Psychology |
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics (May satisfy general education category R) | 3 |
| VETS 115 | Medical Terminology for the Paraprofessional | 1 |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 97-98 |
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| HNES 354L | Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory | 2 |
| HNES 458L | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory | 3 |
| HNES 460L | Foodservice Systems Management II Laboratory | 3 |
| HNES 480 | Dietetics Practicum (Capstone Experience) | 12 |
| HNES 400 | Interprofessional Health Care Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 |
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
| HNES 481 | Dietetics: Capstone Course for DPD | 1 |
| HNES 491 | Seminar | 1 |
| HNES 400 | Interprofessional Health Care Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 5 |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for transfer courses in dietetics and food and nutrition.
- Minimum GPA requirements must be met (3.0 overall and 2.75 in sciences including BIOC 260, BIOL 220/L, BIOL 221/L, CHEM 117, HNES 250, and MICR 202/L)
- A grade of 'C' or better is required for all required science courses (BIOC 260, BIOL 220/L, BIOL 221/L, CHEM 117, MICR 202/L)
- A grade of 'B' or better is required for HNES 250 - Nutrition Science
- SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology and a cultural diversity may be substituted for ANTH 111 Introduction to Anthropology.
Plan of Study
The following combinations of courses are suggested semester schedules that allow the student to complete his/her major/option degree program in a four-year span. The arrangement of courses is based on which semester the course is offered, the classification and the prerequisites or co-requisites required for successful completion of the course. The Plan of Study should be used with the curriculum guide. Remember, this only a guide and circumstances may change the plan.
Plan of Study
The following combinations of courses are suggested semester schedules that allow the student to complete his/her major/option degree program in a four-year span. The arrangement of courses is based on which semester the course is offered, the classification and the prerequisites or co-requisites required for successful completion of the course. The Plan of Study should be used with the curriculum guide. Remember, this only a guide and circumstances may change the plan.
