The Department of Food and Nutrition offers a bachelor of science degree program in nutrition with two tracks: Dietetics and Nutrition. Within the degree program, students select a Natural Science option determined by their academic preparation and career goals. This curriculum prepares students as professionals for a diversity of career opportunities in dietetics, food service, the food industry, food and nutrition research, and health care.
In addition, the department provides Liberal Studies courses that are available to all university students. These includeFDNT 143 , Current Issues in Nutrition and Wellness, a course that meets the Dimensions of Wellness requirement, and FDNT 145 , Personal Nutrition, a Liberal Studies elective.
Dietetics Concentration
Students who complete the Dietetics concentration (Didactic Program in Dietetics DPD) meet the academic requirements as accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This concentration prepares individuals to translate food and nutrition science information for members of the larger community with respect to healthful food preparation, healthy eating behaviors, medical nutrition therapy, management of nutrition delivery and food service systems, and advocacy for the profession of dietetics. The individual who completes this program will exhibit an in-depth knowledge of food, nutrition, behavioral sciences, and management theory and be able to apply this knowledge to solve problems.
The Dietetics concentrations has two focus areas Culinary Nutrition and Nutrition Management
Students interested in combining academic preparation and extensive hands-on learning experiences in culinary arts may: (1) enroll in the Culinary Arts program at the Punxsutawney Regional Campus, where the three-semester program (fall, spring, summer) will transfer into the Department of Food and Nutrition 32 credits, which apply to earning an Associate of Arts degree as well as the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree; or (2) earn a culinary certificate from another institution before admission to the Dietetics concentration may receive 32 credits toward the degree if course work is transferred. Dietetics concentration graduates who include culinary certification as a component of their academic program are uniquely prepared to incorporate healthy nutrition into classical cuisine, manage food service operations.
Graduates of the dietetics concentration are qualified to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become certified as a Nutritionist Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR). In addition, program graduates are eligible to apply for admission to ACEND-accredited dietetic supervised practice programs plus MS degrees in pursuit of dietetic Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials (RDN).
Food and Health Promotion Concentration
This concentration uniquely prepares students to develop expertise in food preparation and healthy eating behaviors and to combine these knowledge and skills with another discipline through the choice of a minor, certificate, or second major. The Food and Health Promotion concentration provides the student with the ability to plan a curriculum with their academic advisor that is tailored to their career goals. This concentration does not allow the student to become eligible for the Nutritionist Dietetic Technician Registered Exam (NDTR).
Pairing food and nutrition coursework with education in exercise and fitness, gerontology, business management, communications, natural sciences, psychology or technology opens a variety of career options for students. The department prepares these students for the following opportunities: public health, food service administration, journalism, business, communications, gerontology, wellness education and planning, culinary arts, and as an advocate for nutrition programming and planning.
Students who wish to pursue graduate education in nutrition or other natural science-related programs should work carefully with their advisor so that appropriate chemistry, biology, and nutrition electives are chosen. Students receive specific academic advisement regarding science and nutrition courses needed to progress to graduation, depending upon their career plans. Faculty advisors work across disciplines to effectively mentor students toward their educational and career goals.
Students in the Food and Health Promotion Concentration may transfer to Dietetics Concentration if their GPA is greater than or equal to a 3.0 and grades in science and food and nutrition courses are greater than or equal to a “C” or better. Students without these academic accomplishments are not competitive to receive a required post-graduate supervised practice experience to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
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