Food and Nutrition, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The Food and Nutrition program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition. The Food and Nutrition program includes two concentrations: Dietetics and Culinary Nutrition and Food Management.

The Dietetics concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), an agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD). The concentration’s mission, goals, and objectives can be found on the Department of Applied Human Sciences website. Also available on the website is information about costs related to the program.

Students completing the DPD earn a Verification Statement, which provides eligibility to complete an accredited dietetic supervised practice. Acceptance to a dietetic supervised practice requires application and program matching through a competitive process. A strong academic record, work experience, and service/leadership in extracurricular activities are essential for obtaining a dietetic supervised practice. Dietetic supervised practices are 6 to 12 months long and include experience in various areas of the dietetics profession.   After completion of the supervised practice and a master's degree (which may be completed concurrently with the supervised practice), the student is eligible to take the national registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). In most states, including Kentucky, RDN status is sufficient to obtain a state license to practice as a dietitian.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) work with individuals and groups of all ages to improve health and wellness. Dietitians find employment in a variety of professional settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, health departments, food companies, wellness programs, public health and regulatory agencies, cooperative extension, food service (including hospital, long-term care, school, college/university, and prisons), private practice, sales, and research. In these settings, RDNs provide medical nutrition therapy; menu planning; recipe and product development; individual counseling related to nutrition and diet; nutrition education to groups and individuals; community nutrition program development, implementation, and evaluation; and research.

Graduates who do not complete a dietetic supervised practice find employment opportunities in public health, food service, cooperative extension, sales, and research. With the DPD verification statement, graduates are eligible to take the national Dietetic Technician registration exam, and earn the credential Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR).

The Culinary Nutrition and Food Management concentration prepares students for employment in a variety of job positions and settings within the food industry. Some of these positions include food service manager, nutrition coordinator, and food program planner. Employment settings include restaurants, schools, hospitals, long-term care, agritourism, sustainability and local foods programs, food banks and feeding programs, hotels/resorts, cruises, amusement parks, and catered events such as weddings, banquets, and corporate marketing.

Admission and Progression Requirements

All students who are accepted by EKU’s Admissions Office and declare their major as food and nutrition are considered for admission to the University as pre-food and nutrition majors. To be admitted to the food and nutrition program the following criteria must be met:

1. complete a minimum of 45 semester hours;
2. attain a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; and
3. earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   NFA 121	Introduction to Food Composition and Preparation	3
   NFA 201	Essentials of Nutrition	3
   NFA 203	Introduction to Food and Nutrition Careers	1
   NFA 317	Nutrition in the Life Cycle	3
   CDF 360	Consumer and Career Finance	3

   
   or their equivalents if taken at another school, with a grade of C or better in each course.

In addition, a program application form, available through the Academic Advisor, must be submitted.

After admission to the Food and Nutrition program the student must meet the following criteria to receive a B.S. Degree:

1. attain a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;
2. earn a “C” or better in all major core and concentration courses.

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 19.0501

Major

Culinary Nutrition and Food Management Concentration

Dietetics Concentration

E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. Hours are included within the Essential Education requirement above.

Key:

E

Course satisfies an Essential Education element.

*

Course must be taken in semester indicated.

Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.

Food and Nutrition B.S. - Dietetics Concentration

Food and Nutrition B.S. - Culinary Nutrition and Food Management Concentration