Food & Nutrition
Dietetics
The baccalaureate in Food and Nutrition Dietetics option is designed to provide educational opportunities for students to examine nutrition and its relation to disease prevention, treatment, and health promotion. Dietetics is the science of managing food and nutrition to promote health. The registered dietitian (R.D.) credential is nationally recognized and considered the nutrition expert.
Accreditation
The Dietetic Program in Dietetics at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) (formerly CADE). ACEND is recognized as the accrediting agency for bachelor level dietetic programs in the United States.
ACEND Contact Information:
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312/899-0040
Fax: 312/899-4817
E-mail: ACEND@eatright.org
URL: www.eatright.org/ACEND
Course of Study
To become a registered dietitian the student must complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree with course work approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)(formerly CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a supervised practice program, and pass a national exam.
At the completion of the approved/accredited baccalaureate specialty in dietetics, the student will be eligible to apply for a ACEND approved/accredited supervised practice program within the United States. The practice program can be typically completed within 6-12 months. After completion of the supervised practice program, the student is eligible to take the national registration exam to become a registered dietitian (R.D.).
The baccalaureate degree starts with a strong foundation in the biological sciences. All food and nutrition majors are exposed to a strong grounding in both food and nutrition courses. Students who specialize in dietetics will focus on:
- Nutrition and Health Assessment
- Health Education Methods
- Human Metabolism
- Nutritional Counseling
- Research
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
Market Demand for Graduates
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and American Dietetic Association, employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow because of the emphasis on disease prevention, a growing and aging population, and public interest in nutrition.
Career Opportunities
Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings including health care, business and industry, public health, education, research and private practice. Many work environments, particularly those in medical and health care settings, require that an individual be credentialed as an R.D. In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD. Work settings may include:
- Universities and Medical Centers
- Food and Pharmaceuticals Companies
- Community and Public Health Settings/Schools
- Hospitals, HMO's, and other Health Care Facilities
- Sports Nutrition and Corporate Wellness
- Food and Nutrition Related Businesses and Industries
Suggested Course Sequence Sheet
Admission and Degree Requirements
All applicants must first seek admission to the University by completing an application, having official transcripts of high school and other universities and colleges sent to the University of Southern Indiana, and completing all other University admission requirements. Applicants with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average may make application throughout the school year to the Bachelor of Science or Art in Food and Nutrition program by completing an information packet available from the Food and Nutrition Department and be designated as a Pre-Dietetics student. (A GPA of 2.5 is encouraged for application.)
Pre-Dietetic students who are seeking formal admission to the Dietetics program will need to meet the following admission criteria:
Admission Criteria:
-
Admission Criteria:
- Complete the following course work (or equivalent) with a minimum 2.9 overall grade point average: *BIOL 121, PSY 201, ENG 101, CMST 101 or 107, MATH 111, *CHEM 261, *NUTR 203 and *NUTR 376
- Course with a “*” require a “C” or better.
- Complete Food and Nutrition Program application form and submit to the department office.
A candidate for the Bachelor of Science or Art in Food and Nutrition degree must meet the general requirements for graduation as outlined in the University bulletin and successfully complete the food and nutrition courses required for the major area of study.
Progression Requirements/Verification/Computer Matching
Program Progression Requirements to Graduation
Requirements for progression in the Dietetics program have been approved by the University Curriculum Committee and Faculty Senate and are as follows: the student must:
- Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements as outlined in the Schedule of Classes; a minimum of 50 hours.
- Complete required nutrition core courses: 29 credit hours
- Complete 35 hours of Dietetics option courses
- Complete a minimum of 124 credit hours
- Complete a minimum of 30 hours taken from the University of Southern Indiana
- Obtain an average of 2.0 grade point average or better on all work taken at the University of Southern Indiana*; and
- Achieve a grade of C or better in all core nutrition courses, Biology 121, Biology 122, Chemistry 261, and Chemistry 262**.
*Cumulative grade point averages are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar at the end of fall, spring and summer terms. Students who do not meet the standards will be placed on probation. Failure to meet the cumulative GPA standards by the end of the probationary term will result in academic dismissal from the University.
**Students must retake the course/s until a grade of C or better is obtained.
Obtaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average at degree completion is encouraged for application to supervised practice programs.
Verification of Dietetics Completion
Verification of dietetics program completion is a method to ensure academic requirements have been met. An appropriately completed Verification Statement allows the student to be eligible to participate in a Supervised Practice Program, specifically a Dietetic Internship, after graduation from the University. A determination of the coursework the student must complete to fulfill dietetic program curriculum requirements is done by the Program Director. To receive a Verification Form students must have earned academic credit for coursework indicated by an asterisk “*” on the Dietetics Graduation Checkout Sheet.
Computer Matching Process
Upon accreditation of the dietetics program students will be able to participate in a competitive computer matching process for Dietetic Internships offered throughout the United States. For more information about the computer matching process visit: http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/content.aspx?id=186
Mission
The mission of the Dietetics program at the University of Southern Indiana is to prepare future dietetic leaders to apply their food and nutrition knowledge and skills wisely both in their personal and professional lives. The Dietetics program:
- provides quality, innovative and relevant education and service learning opportunities for a diverse group of students to assure that they are able to maximize their personal potential and meet the needs of the changing Dietetics field, and prepares them to enter supervised practice,
- promotes a collaborative research environment
- promotes community support through service, continuing education, and consultation activities
- supports the professional career aspirations of students, faculty, and alumni; and
- exhibits a caring and collegial spirit.
Goals
- Prepare competent students for supervised practice or entry-level employment utilizing their knowledge and skills in dietetics, food and nutrition.
- Recruit, retain and graduate a highly motivated and diverse population of undergraduate dietetics students who will serve as leaders in the food and nutrition field.
- Prepare students for success on the registration exam or in entry-level employment.
- Prepare graduates capable of doing collaborative research related to dietetics.
- Prepare graduates who engage in community service learning and exhibit professional leadership.
Graduate Outcomes
The University of Southern Indiana Dietetics graduate is a critical thinker who is competent to enter supervised practice, employment or advanced education. The graduate demonstrates enthusiasm and is directive in their efforts to serve their community and employer in a professional and ethical manner. The graduate possess the knowledge and skills to lead team efforts and uses investigate techniques to improve dietetic processes and outcomes.
Cost Estimation for Program
Estimated additional costs for the Food and Nutrition program include uniforms, equipment, lab fees, exam fees, physical examination, and immunizations and are approximately $350 for the duration of the program.
Additional information regarding the cost of attending USI
Please contact Dr. Julie McCullough at (812) 461-5213 or send an email to jmccullo@usi.edu with questions or concerns about the Dietetics Program at USI.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to providing equal opportunity for all qualified individuals. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, or handicap in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, financial affairs, employment policies and programs, student life and services, or any other university-administered program.
