Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Dietetics, B.S.


Program Description


Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics are prepared for careers in nutrition and dietetics, including areas of clinical, community, food service, and research. The Dietetics program 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, (312) 899-4876. 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 counted in General Education] [16]
Dietetics major requirements (listed below) 60
University electives

Total
3-4

120

Footnotes


1The 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 major.

2The 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 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 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


To remain in the major, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 in the major, earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all NUTR and HTH courses. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the following courses: NUTR 363 , NUTR 446 , NUTR 482  and NUTR 484 . Students must earn minimum grades of “C-” in all NUTR and HTH courses and pass program core knowledge assessments in order to receive a verification statement.

Major Requirements Total: 60 Credit Hours


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.

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

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours