Major code BS6478*
College of Health Sciences and Professions
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Grover Center E160
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.566.0470
www.ohio.edu/chsp/food-nutrition/undergraduate/applied-nutrition
Jana Hovland, contact person
hovland@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The applied nutrition program at Ohio University provides students with a solid background in food and nutrition and prepares students for the application of nutrition in a variety of settings. The program also prepares students for advanced degrees in food and nutrition science or related disciplines. Applied nutrition has three concentrations: dietetics, culinary nutrition, and environmental nutrition. To remain active in the program, students must:
- maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 (C) or better in all hours attempted at Ohio University;
- earn at least a 2.0 (C) or better in all major and related required courses.
To complete the degree, students must also successfully earn a (C) or better in all required courses within the retake limit specified by the offering department.
Applied Nutrition Dietetics Concentration
The dietetics concentration is for those interested in clinical nutrition, nutrition counseling, public health/community nutrition, wellness, sports nutrition, and food service management careers. The program is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), (www.eatrightpro.org/acend), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1.800.877.1600 extension 5400, ACEND@eatright.org
Completing the dietetics concentration of the applied nutrition program qualifies the student to sit for the examination to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). The examination is offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for AND.
Completion of the dietetics concentration is the first step to becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted to CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree In addition to the graduate degree, CDR requires individuals to complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND.
Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetics concentration at Ohio University are eligible to apply to the combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship program at Ohio University or other ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs. Completion of the master’s degree and Dietetic Internship experience will enable them to apply to take the national credentialing exam administered by CDR to become an RDN. More information about the field of dietetics, AND, ACEND, and CDR can be found at www.eatrightpro.org/about-us.
In most states, RDNs also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements visit: www.cdrnet.org/licensure
Note: Admission to post-graduation dietetics supervised practice or graduate programs can be very competitive, with most programs requiring a minimum accumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Completing the graduation requirements of Ohio University and the applied nutrition program (dietetics concentration) does not guarantee that the student will be accepted into post-baccalaureate programs for professional experience after graduation. The student must apply to and be granted acceptance into such programs.
Applied Nutrition Culinary Nutrition Concentration
The culinary nutrition concentration is for students interested in culinary nutrition, school nutrition, child nutrition, institutional wellness, and food service management careers. Completion of the culinary nutrition concentration allows the student to complete a variety of School Nutrition Association (SNA) certifications and partially fulfills the SNA credentialing program requirements to become a School Nutrition Specialist (SNS). Students must complete additional field experience hours to become eligible for the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential. More information about the field of school nutrition and SNA can be found at www.schoolnutrition.org, 120 Waterfront Street, Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745, 301.686.3100.
Applied Nutrition Environmental Nutrition Concentration
The environmental nutrition concentration is for students interested in sustainability, agriculture, wellness, and food policy careers. The concentration’s curriculum also fulfills the requirements for earning an Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, and Resilience Certificate (CTESRC). Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in community and government agencies, industry, and agriculture, especially in areas that focus on sustainability and the environment. Graduates are also prepared for graduate study in a wide range of fields.
*This program was previously BS6470 which awarded the Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences degree. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program code will be BS6478 and will award the Bachelor of Science degree effective the 2024-25 catalog year.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program:
- Students will be able to integrate nutrition-related information and research into nutrition-related practice.
- Students will be able to integrate food-related information and research into food-related practice.
- Students will be able to demonstrate effective written communication through portfolio development for professional level practice.
- Students will be able to develop and implement a nutrition and wellness intervention for individuals/groups, considering the role of environment, food, nutrition, and lifestyle choices on health promotion and disease prevention.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Applied nutrition majors have three concentrations to choose from - dietetics, culinary nutrition, and environmental nutrition. The types of career opportunities vary by concentration area and may overlap.
Dietetics Concentration
The dietetics concentration is for those interested in clinical nutrition, nutrition counseling, public health/community nutrition, wellness, sports nutrition, retail nutrition, and food service management careers. Health-care facilities, community agencies, schools, and food service operations all employ those with a dietetics background. This concentration allows graduates to pursue the NDTR and RD/RDN credentials. Graduates are also prepared for graduate study in dietetics, nutrition, some health professional schools, and other areas.
Culinary Nutrition Concentration
The culinary nutrition concentration is for students interested in culinary nutrition, school nutrition, child nutrition, institutional wellness, and food service management careers. Schools and universities employ those with a school nutrition background. The culinary nutrition concentration provides required coursework that is foundational for the School Nutrition Association (SNA) certificates. Graduates are also prepared to work in large-scale food service operations in hospitality and corrections work settings and to pursue careers in the food service industry. Graduates are prepared for graduate study in nutrition, food service management, and other areas.
Environmental Nutrition Concentration
The environmental nutrition concentration is for students interested in sustainability, agriculture, wellness, and food policy careers. Completion of the environmental nutrition concentration has a built-in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, and Resilience Certificate (CTESRC). Graduates with the environmental nutrition concentration seek careers in nutrition, food policy and agriculture, government and non-government organizations that impact health and sustainability.
Requirements
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