Dietetics, B.S.

Dr. Özlem Ersin, Interim Department Head

Phone: (540) 568-4434 Email: ersinoh @jmu.edu

Location: Health and Behavioral Studies, Room 5050 Website: http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu

Professors

J. Gloeckner, D. Wenos Associate Professors J. Akers, D. Cockley, J. Frye, S. Maiewski, C. Peterson, A. Temple, D. Torisky

Assistant Professors

A. Dengo, M. Hesse, E. Kancler, T. Kirchen, K. Liskey, A. Russell Yun, A. Skelly, J. Walsh, G. Weniger, J. Wenos

Instructor

E. Richardson Lecturer M. Michalik

Mission

The purpose of the Department of Health Professions is to contribute to the liberal arts education of all students and prepare students for professional careers in the health professions and/or for entry into professional programs.

Goals

The goals of the Department of Health Professions are to:

• Promote the health and well-being of the JMU community.
• Support the General Education program.
• Educate health professionals.
• Provide service to the community, the state, the region and the nation.
• Conduct, disseminate and publish research/scholarship in health professions.

Career Opportunities

• Athletic Trainer
• Registered Dietitian
• Health Administrator
• Health Assessment and Promotion Specialist
• Health Fitness Specialist
• Occupational Therapist (Graduate Program)
• Physician Assistant (Graduate Program)

Co-curricular Organizations

• American College of Sports Medicine
• Madison Athletic Training Student Association
• Eta Sigma Gamma (Health Sciences Honor Society)
• Health Administration Student Association
• JMU Dietetic Association
• JMU Physician Assistant Student Society
• JMU Student Occupational Therapy Association
• Pre-Occupational Therapy Association
• Pre-Physical Therapy Society
• Pre-Physician Assistant Club

Special Admission Requirements

Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to all academic majors and minors. Special applications are required for admission to the clinical portions of the athletic training program and the dietetics program.

Deadline for Change or Declaration of Majors Deadlines for change or declaration of major forms are:

Semester                 Deadline

Summer                  February 15

Fall                          February 15

Spring                     September 15 of the previous year

Forms received in the health professions office after the deadline will be processed the following semester. Students changing their major to health professions after February 15 of the sophomore year should expect an additional semester(s) to complete the program. The number of additional semesters required to complete the program will depend on the timing of the change to health professions and the number of summer courses completed.

Degree and Major Requirements

The Department of Health Professions offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training Bachelor of Science in Dietetics Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration Master of Occupational Therapy Master of Physician Assistant Studies The department also offers a minor in health assessment and promotion.

The Bachelor of Science in dietetics is the first step toward registration as a dietitian. The Registered Dietitian (RD) credential is a national credential that requires completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a Dietetic Internship (DI) or another approved, supervised practice experience and successful completion of the national registration examination administered by teh Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). The DPD at James Madison University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-4876. The program in dietetics gives the student a wide view of dietetics careers including clinical dietetics, administrative dietetics, community dietetics, food service, education and research.

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in dietetics is the first step toward registration as a dietitian. The Registered Dietitian (RD) credential is a national credential that requires completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a Dietetic Internship (DI) and successful completion of the national registration examination. The DPD at James Madison University is currently granted full accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics(ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606- 6995, (312) 899-4876. The program in dietetics gives the student a wide view of dietetics careers including clinical dietetics, administrative dietetics, community dietetics, food service, education and research.

Special Admission Requirements

Any student admitted to JMU can declare dietetics as his/her major and will be permitted to enroll in NUTR 280 Nutrition for Wellness and NUTR 295 Foundations of Nutrition Practice. However, to make progress in the major beyond the first few courses students need to apply and be admitted to the professional program. Students wishing to be admitted to the dietetics program at JMU must apply in the spring semester during which admission requirements will be met by February 15, usually the sophomore year.

Retention and Receiving Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification

To remain in the major, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in the major and earn grades of “C” (2.0) or higher in all remaining required courses. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the following courses: NUTR 363, NUTR 446, NUTR 482, NUTR 484 and NUTR 490. All successful graduates will receive four copies of a signed verification statement from the James Madison University DPD as soon as final transcript verifying all grades and degree confirmation is available.