Nov 12, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dietetics, B.S.


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Degree and Major Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in dietetics is the first step toward registration as a dietitian nutritionist. The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential is a national credential that requires completion of a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD), a Supervised Practice program, usually a Dietetic Internship (DI), and successful completion of the national registration examination. 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 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.

Degree Requirements


  • General Education: The Human Community 41 Credit Hours 1
  • Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) 3 Credit Hours
  • Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) 3-4 Credit Hours 2
  • Pre-requisite requirements (listed below) for admission to the major 36 Credit Hours1
  • Dietetics major requirements (listed below) 63 Credit Hours

Total: 120 Credit Hours


Footnotes


1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. Up to 23 credits of the General Education requirements may be fulfilled through courses that are listed as pre-requisite courses for admission to this major.

2The scientific literacy requirement is met by courses required in the major.

Special Admission Requirements and Program Pre-requisite Courses


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.

Students applying for admission must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the following courses, with no grade lower than a “C.”

Total: 36 Credit Hours


Footnote


1May also fulfill General Education or B.S. degree requirements.

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, earn grades of “C” (2.0) or higher in all remaining major nutrition and health classes, and earn a C- (1.7) or better in all remaining major science classes. 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 a final transcript verifying all grades and degree confirmation is available.

Total: 63 Credit Hours


Footnote


1May also fulfill General Education or B.S. degree requirements.

Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


Total: 27 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Total: 33 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Footnotes


These courses may count for both General Education and the major depending on General Education course choice.

2 Field experience practicum should be completed the summer between junior and senior years.

*Courses in Years 3 and 4 are offered only one semester per year with the exception of NUTR 380 

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