Family and Consumer Sciences - Dietetics (Bachelor of Science)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics at JSU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education and Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) through June 20, 2024. ACEND can be contacted by email (ACEND@eatright.org), phone (1-800-877-1600 x5400), or mail (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995). For additional information visit the ACEND website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

Following graduation, each student must complete a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to qualify for the national examination to become a registered dietitian.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Program Admission:

Students will be assessed into the DPD the last semester of the sophomore year. Students must meet the following requirements to gain admission to JSU’s DPD program:

  • Completed at least 60 hours of college credit at the time of admission to the DPD program.
  • Completed/passed with a B or above the following pre-professional courses or their equivalent: 
    • CY 115 Concepts of General Chemistry I (4)
    • BY 263 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
    • FCS 122 Fundamentals of Food Preparation and Meal Management (3)
    • FCS 322 Normal Nutrition (3) or FCS 215 Introductory Nutrition (3) (advisor approval)
  • An overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Pre-professional GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Earned at least a B (B or B+) in all science-based courses.
  • Earned at least a B (B or B+) in all other pre-professional/pre-requisite courses or their equivalents.

 DPD Program Completion Requirements:

  • Attendance of all classes, seminars, and supervised practice as required for the didactic program in dietetics unless altered as per policy by the program director.
  • Meet university degree requirements.
  • Minimum of a C letter grades is required in all departmental classes. Please remember that a minimum of B letter grades is optimum for dietetic internship placement.
  • Minimum of a B letter grade is required for all science-based courses.
  • Minimum of a B letter grade is required for FCS 429 Advanced Nutritional Metabolism (3).
  • Minimum of a B on all assignments used for assessment of KRDNs.
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Graduates who successfully complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics are qualified to apply for a post-baccalaureate supervised-practice program, which is a requirement for eligibility to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians and earn the RD/RDN credential. Graduates of the DPD, upon receiving the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition/Dietetics are issued a Verification Statement and are eligible to apply for a post-baccalaureate supervised practice program (e.g., a dietetic internship) after completing a master’s degree after January 1, 2024*. Successful completion of the JSU DPD and attainment of the Verification Statement does not guarantee admission into a supervised practice program.

More information including the Dietetics Student Handbook and assessment process for the Didactic Program in Dietetics is available on the FCS website.

In addition to courses noted below, candidates for graduation must successfully complete all JSU Academic Regulations. More information about general education requirements can be found in the Summary of Degrees/Requirements section of the catalog.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
EH Composition sequence 3
BY 101
BY 103
Introductory Biology I
and Introductory Biology Lab I
4
CY 115 Concepts of General Chemistry I 4
MS 112 Precalculus Algebra 3
FCS 122 Fundamentals of Food Preparation and Meal Management 3
SSC 101 First Year Experience 0
 Hours17
Spring
EH Composition sequence 3
EH 141 Speech 3
BY 263 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
CY 116 Concepts of General Chemistry II 4
PSY 201
Principles of Psychology
or Introduction to Sociology
3
 Hours17
Sophomore
Fall
Fine Arts 3
Literature 3
History 3
BY 264 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
FCS 200 2
FCS 215
Introductory Nutrition
or Normal Nutrition
3
 Hours18
Spring
Literature 3
History 3
MS 204 Basic Statistics 3
EC 222 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
FCS 328 Career Paths in Nutrition and Dietetics 1
CS 201 Introduction to Information Technology 3
 Hours16
Junior
Fall
FCS 323 Experimental Foods 3
FCS 326 Food Safety and Sanitation 3
FCS 332 Social Cultural Aspects of Apparel 3
Select from the following: 1 3
Lifespan Human Development (WI)  
The Developing Child  
Child Growth and Development (WI)
and Child Growth and Development Laboratory (WI)
 
Contemporary Issues in Human Development  
 Hours12
Spring
FCS 327 Nutrition in the Life Cycle 3
FCS 337 Methods of Nutritional Assessment 3
FCS 338 Community Nutrition 3
FCS 355 Family Life Education (WI) 3
 Hours12
Senior
Fall
FCS 325 Quantity Food Production 3
FCS 371 Management of Family Resources 3
FCS 420 Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3
FCS 429 Advanced Nutritional Metabolism 3
General Elective 1
 Hours13
Spring
FCS 421 Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3
FCS 422 Foodservice Management 3
FCS 448 Alternative Medicine and Dietary Supplements 3
FCS 458 Research and Statistical Methods in FCS 3
FCS 471 Family Housing and Interiors 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120