Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (Dietetics)

Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/undergraduate-programs/bs-in-nutrition-dietetics/

DPD Program Director: Dolores Kearney, MPH, RDN, LD
Phone: 940-898-2641
E-Mail: dkearney1@twu.edu

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (Dietetics) is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), an accredited program for students who are preparing to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential "RDN." The majority of RDNs work as clinical dietitians in the treatment and prevention of diseases using medical nutrition therapy. Clinical dietitians work in hospitals, HMOs, private practice, outpatient clinics, or other healthcare facilities. In addition, a large number of RDNs work in the community and public health settings, schools, food service administration positions, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and academia and research. A growing number of RDNs work in the food and nutrition industry, in business, journalism, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness programs. The B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD program requires submission of an application.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Texas Woman's University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0400 extension 5400.

Some RDNs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations, and are recognized within the profession, but are not required. Some of the certifications include pediatric or renal nutrition, sports dietetics, nutrition support, and diabetes education.

In addition to RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for licensing dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently, these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RDN.

Requirements to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and coursework accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and complete the requirements for a Verification Statement. Effective January 2024, a Master's degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam.
  • Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation, or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a supervised practice program will run six to 12 months in length. The most common supervised practice program is a dietetic internship. Acceptance into a supervised practice program is a competitive process.
  • Complete a graduate degree.
  • Pass a national board examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to www.cdrnet.org.

Completion of the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD does not guarantee admission into a dietetic supervised practice (internship) program. Admission to supervised practice programs is very competitive; therefore, students are encouraged to apply to a variety of programs to increase their chances of being accepted. Supervised practice programs vary by cost, length, location, specialty, and required application fee.

Verification Statement

Requirements to receive a Verification Statement from the TWU B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD in order to be eligible for entry into an ACEND-accredited supervised practice (internship) program are:

  • Earn a grade of “B” or higher in: NFS 1301, NFS 1302, NFS 2323, NFS 3033, NFS 3043, NFS 3083, NFS 3713, NFS 2011, and NFS 3722.
  • Required “C” or higher in all other DPD-required courses.
  • Achieve an overall GPA of 3.25.
  • B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD students may repeat a DPD-required course only one time.
  • Complete a minimum of 24 hours of advanced undergraduate nutrition, food science, and foodservice management courses at TWU.
  • Demonstrate competence in all the DPD Knowledge Registered Dietitian Nutrition (KRDN).

Note: Requirements for a Verification Statement are different than the requirements for earning a degree at TWU.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Effectively use evidence-based analysis to develop individual medical nutrition therapy plans for clients using the nutrition care process by making decisions, identifying nutrition-related problems, and determining and evaluating nutrition interventions.
  2. Successfully apply management theories and business principles to deliver programs and services.

  3. Effectively apply quality management of food and nutrition services.

  4. Consistently apply fundamentals of public policy, including the legislative and regulatory basis of nutrition and dietetics practice.

  5. Effectively demonstrate cultural competence when interacting with clients, colleagues, and staff.

  6. Properly facilitate behavior change and enhance wellness for diverse individuals and groups using counseling and education methods.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Application to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD

Admission to Texas Woman’s University does not guarantee acceptance into the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) or the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD at TWU requires the submission of an application. All students who wish to be considered for admission to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) should declare their major as B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics). Students will take coursework as outlined on the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) Program of Study. Students will be eligible to apply to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD only after completing the required list of courses (1000 and 2000 level degree courses), and meeting the grade requirements.

Students who have completed the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD requirements and meet the requirements for a Verification Statement are eligible to apply to a supervised practice (internship) program.

Admissions Process to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD

Applications for admission to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD will be made after the successful completion of the required list of courses (1000 and 2000 level degree courses). All application materials are submitted to the TWU DPD Program Director.

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify to apply to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD:

  1. Admission to Texas Woman’s University.
  2. Submission of TWU B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD Application Form.
  3. Completion of prerequisites for B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD courses. Required courses may not be repeated more than one time.
  4. Meet the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD grade requirements.
  5. Overall GPA of 3.25 (last 60 hours for Post-Baccalaureate students).

Refer to the NFS website for the DPD Handbook and Application Form.

Prerequisites for B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD Admission

The required grade point average for application to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD is 3.25 (GPA for Post-Baccalaureate students will be calculated using all the DPD-required courses and the previous undergraduate courses in reverse chronological order to total 60 semester credit hours). The courses listed below must be completed prior to progressing to Junior level courses (3000-level courses). Students who do not meet these requirements must meet with their academic advisor to determine an appropriate degree major.

After the above-required list of courses is completed, students will be permitted to apply to the BS in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD program. If accepted, students are permitted to continue in the program. Students must maintain a 3.25 GPA and the course grade requirements identified in the verification statement requirements. Students who do not meet these requirements must meet with their academic advisor to determine an appropriate degree major.

* NFS 2011 may be taken as a sophomore or, if a transfer student, the first semester enrolled at TWU.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 121

Major: 53 SCH

Program Code: NUTRITION.BS.DIET  CIP Code: 30.1901.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

NFS 1302
NFS 1301
Food Preparation Principles
and Food Preparation Principles Laboratory
3
NFS 2011Introduction to Dietetics1
NFS 2033
NFS 2031
Food Microbiology
and Food Microbiology Laboratory
4
or BACT 1003
BACT 1001
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
NFS 2323Introduction to Nutrition3
NFS 3033Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle3
NFS 3043Community Nutrition3
NFS 3083Nutritional Biochemistry3
NFS 3101Advanced Nutrition Laboratory1
NFS 3202Nutrition Care Process2
NFS 3323
NFS 3321
Food Science
and Food Science Laboratory
4
NFS 3713
NFS 3722
Quantity Food Production and Service
and Quantity Food Production and Service Laboratory
5
NFS 4103Medical Nutrition Therapy I3
NFS 4113Medical Nutrition Therapy II3
NFS 4303Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients3
NFS 4313Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients3
NFS 4473Nutrition Therapy and Education Methods3
NFS 4601Literature in Nutrition and Food Science Seminar1
NFS 4701Dietetics As a Profession1
NFS 4744Foodservice Systems4
Total SCHs53

Departmental Requirements

BIOL 1113
BIOL 1111
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory (may be applied from core)
4
CHEM 1013
CHEM 1011
Introductory Chemistry
and Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (may be applied from core)
4
CHEM 1023
CHEM 1021
Introduction to Organic and Physiological Chemistry
and Introduction to Organic and Physiological Chemistry Laboratory
4
MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I3
MGT 3003Principles of Management3
NFS 3173Culture and Food3
PSY 1013Introduction to General Psychology (may be applied from core)3
SPCH 1013Oral Communication3
ZOOL 2013
ZOOL 2011
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
4
ZOOL 2023
ZOOL 2021
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
4
Total SCHs35

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
NFS 1302
NFS 1301
Food Preparation Principles
and Food Preparation Principles Laboratory
3
BIOL 1113
BIOL 1111
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
BIOL 1406
& BIOL 1106
4
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
Select 3 SCH from the following3
Health and Wellbeing: Enhancing Personal Wellness
and Learning Frameworks: The First Year Experience
(required for first year students)
PHED 1338
& EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 1300
 
Health and Wellbeing: Enhancing Personal Wellness
and Fitness and Health Laboratory
PHED 1338
& PHED 1164
 
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
ZOOL 2013
ZOOL 2011
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
BIOL 2401
& BIOL 2101
4
First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
 SCHs 16
Second Year
FallTCCN
NFS 2011Introduction to Dietetics 1
CHEM 1013
CHEM 1011
Introductory Chemistry
and Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 1305
& CHEM 1106
4
SPCH 1013Oral Communication SPCH 13113
Select 4 SCH from the following4
Food Microbiology
and Food Microbiology Laboratory
 
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 2420
& BIOL 2120
 
Multicultural Women's Studies3
PSY 1013Introduction to General Psychology PSYC 23013
 SCHs 18
SpringTCCN
NFS 2323Introduction to Nutrition BIOL 13223
CHEM 1023
CHEM 1021
Introduction to Organic and Physiological Chemistry
and Introduction to Organic and Physiological Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 1307
& CHEM 1107
4
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I MATH 13423
ZOOL 2023
ZOOL 2021
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
BIOL 2402
& BIOL 2102
4
 SCHs 17
Third Year
FallTCCN
NFS 3033Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle 3
NFS 3043Community Nutrition 3
NFS 3083Nutritional Biochemistry 3
NFS 4601Literature in Nutrition and Food Science Seminar 1
MGT 3003Principles of Management 3
Language, Philosophy, Culture3
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
NFS 3173Culture and Food 3
NFS 3202Nutrition Care Process 2
NFS 3323
NFS 3321
Food Science
and Food Science Laboratory
4
NFS 3713
NFS 3722
Quantity Food Production and Service
and Quantity Food Production and Service Laboratory
5
 SCHs 14
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
NFS 4103Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3
NFS 4303Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients 3
NFS 3101Advanced Nutrition Laboratory 1
NFS 4701Dietetics As a Profession 1
NFS 4744Foodservice Systems 4
 SCHs 12
SpringTCCN
NFS 4113Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3
NFS 4313Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients 3
NFS 4473Nutrition Therapy and Education Methods 3
Creative Arts Core3
 SCHs 12
 Total SCHs:  121