Dec 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Dietetics, B.S.


Program Description


Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics are prepared for careers in or relevant to nutrition and dietetics, including areas of clinical, public health, food service, and research. The Dietetics Program Professional Concentration at James Madison University is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that is 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, 800-877-1600, ext. 5400. Those seeking to earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential upon graduation must complete an ACEND-accredited graduate program or dietetic internship paired with a graduate degree to be eligible for the national registration exam. 

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
41
Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education )
3
Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education ) 2
3-4
Prerequisite requirements (listed below) for admission to the major 1
[7 credits are counted in General Education  and 4 credits are counted in Scientific Literacy]
20 [11]
Foundational courses [16 credits fulfill General Education  requirements] [16]
Dietetics major requirements including concentration (listed below) 60
University electives

Total
3-4

120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Many of the General Education  requirements may be fulfilled through courses that are listed as prerequisite and foundational courses for the major.
2 The scientific literacy requirement is met by courses required in the major.

Special Admission Requirements and Program Prerequisite Courses


Any student admitted to JMU can declare dietetics as their major and will be permitted to enroll in NUTR 280  and NUTR 295 . However, to make progress in the major beyond the first few courses, students need to apply and be admitted to the program.

Students wishing to be admitted to the dietetics program at JMU must apply by February 15 in the spring semester during which admission requirements will be met, usually the sophomore year.

Students applying for admission must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 in the following courses, with a minimum grade of “C-” in each course.

Total: 20 Credit Hours


Footnote


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

Total: 16 Credit Hours


Footnote


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

Retention and Receiving Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement


To remain in the major, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 in the major and earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all NUTR and HTH courses. In order to earn the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics verification statement, students in the Professional Concentration must also pass program core knowledge assessments. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the following courses: NUTR 363 NUTR 482  and NUTR 484 .

Concentrations


Professional Concentration


This concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics as a Didactic Program in Dietetics for students pursuing an accredited graduate program or dietetic internship after graduation.

Professional Concentration Total: 37 Credit Hours


Pre-Professional Concentration


This concentration is for students preparing for a professional health program at the graduate level and especially students concurrently enrolled in a university minor. Students in this concentration must complete 9-10 additional credits of NUTR electives and 27-28 credits of general electives. 

Electives: 27-28 Credit Hours


Students must complete 27-28 credit hours of general electives. These electives may include additional NUTR courses. 

Pre-Professional Concentration Total: 37 Credit Hours


Major Requirements Total: 60 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Majors - Professional Concentration


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.

*NUTR courses in Years 3 and 4 are offered only one semester per year.  

Recommended Schedule for Majors - Pre-Professional Concentration


First Year


First Year: 32 Credit Hours


Second Year Total: 29 Credit Hours


Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


Fourth Year Total: 29 Credit Hours


Program Total: 120 Credit Hours