Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
Program Description
If you intend to become a registered dietitian (RDN), you must also complete a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship and pass the national registration examination for dietitians offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Appointments to dietetic internships are awarded on a competitive basis. Additional information on educational requirements, the RDN credential and a listing of dietetic internships is available from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Complete program information can be found in the Dietetics Handbook, which is located on the Dietetic Emphasis webpage in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department webpages.
Changes to RDN Education Requirements- "Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Seattle Pacific University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN."
Entering and Completing the Major
- Admission to the Nutrition and Dietetics major is selective and based upon prior academic performance.
- Before being admitted to the Nutrition and Dietetics major, you are required to complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher:
- An overall college GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for application to this major.
- Once you have met minimum requirements for application, you may apply online following these instructions.
- Your application is due on or before the first Friday of Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarter.
- Applications are reviewed once per quarter.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in your program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
- You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.
Admission Data
Admission to the Nutrition and Dietetics major is selective and based upon prior academic performance. Recent admission data is depicted below.
| Academic Year | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average GPA of Admitted Students | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| Lowest GPA of Admitted Students | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Number of Applicants | 15 | 13 | 20 |
| Number Admitted | 15 | 12 | 17 |
Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
116 Credits Minimum, Including 25 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Core | ||
| FCS 1050 | Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences | 2 |
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| FCS 4899 | FCS Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Food and Nutritional Sciences Core | ||
| FCS 2365 | Food Science | 5 |
| FCS 3321 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| FCS 3340 | Human Nutrition | 5 |
| FCS 3352 | Nutrition Education and Counseling | 5 |
| FCS 3365 | Nutrition and Meal Planning | 5 |
| FCS 4330 | Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism | 5 |
| FCS 4352 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FCS 4367 | Experimental Foods | 5 |
| FCS 4370 | Nutrition Research | 3 |
| BIO 2129 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 2130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 3351 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 59 | |
| Chemistry Groups | ||
| Select one of the following Groups: | 15-35 | |
| Group A: | ||
| Survey of General Chemistry | ||
| Survey of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Survey of Biological Chemistry | ||
| Group B: | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Survey of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Survey of Biological Chemistry | ||
| Group C: | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry III | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Section Credits Required | 15-35 | |
| Dietetics Specialization | ||
| ACCT 2361 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| BUS 3614 | Organizational Behavior for Managers | 5 |
| or BUS 3657 | Human Resource Management | |
| FCS 2375 | Food Production and Management | 5 |
| FCS 3310 | The Profession of Dietetics | 2 |
| FCS 4340 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 5 |
| FCS 4341 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| General Psychology: Individual in Growth | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Section Credits Required | 32 | |
| Total Credits | 116-136 | |
Suggested Course Sequence
Four Year Student Schedule
Course offerings are subject to change. Check quarter, day and time in the current Time Schedule.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Variable | Credits | |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Psychology: Individual in Growth | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Credits | 20 | |
| Autumn | ||
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| FCS 1050 | Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences | 2 |
| CHM 1310 | Survey of General Chemistry | 5 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHM 1360 | Survey of Biological Chemistry | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Variable | ||
| UCOR 2000 | The Emergence of the Modern Global Systems | 5 |
| UFDN 2000 | Christian Scripture | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| ACCT 2361 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| FCS 3340 | Human Nutrition | 5 |
| Credits | 25 | |
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2129 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| FCS 2365 | Food Science | 5 |
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| FCS 3365 | Nutrition and Meal Planning | 5 |
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FCS 2375 | Food Production and Management | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Variable | ||
| BUS 3614 or BUS 3657 |
Organizational Behavior for Managers or Human Resource Management |
5 |
| UCOR 3000 | Faith, Philosophy, and Science | 5 |
| WKH/WKA/WEA | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Autumn | ||
| FCS 3310 | The Profession of Dietetics | 2 |
| FCS 3352 | Nutrition Education and Counseling | 5 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Winter | ||
| FCS 3321 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| FCS 4330 | Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism | 5 |
| FCS 4370 | Nutrition Research | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3351 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Variable | ||
| UFDN 3100 | Christian Theology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Autumn | ||
| FCS 4340 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| FCS 4341 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 5 |
| FCS 4352 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FCS 4899 | FCS Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| FCS 4367 | Experimental Foods | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 162 | |
Year 1 Notes
- Take math placement test in preparation for MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences in year two.
Year 2 Notes
- Apply to the major upon successful completion of:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 1310 | Survey of General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| CHM 1360 | Survey of Biological Chemistry | 5 |
| BIO 2129 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 2130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| FCS 1050 | Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences | 2 |
| FCS 2365 | Food Science | 5 |
| or FCS 3340 | Human Nutrition | |
Year 3 Notes
- Plan to meet with Faculty Advisor at least once a year to reviewing graduation progress and receiving career coaching.
Year 4 Notes
- Apply to Post-Bacc Program (master’s or coordinated program) beginning in Fall Quarter.
Two Year Student Schedule
Begin program with transfer courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 1310 | Survey of General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| BIO 2129 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 2130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| ACCT 2361 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Psychology: Individual in Growth | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| FCS 1050 | Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences | 2 |
| FCS 2365 | Food Science | 5 |
| FCS 3340 | Human Nutrition | 5 |
| FCS 3310 | The Profession of Dietetics | 2 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| FCS 3365 | Nutrition and Meal Planning | 5 |
| FCS 3321 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| FCS 1050 | Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences (if not taken in FA) | 2 |
| FCS 2375 | Food Production and Management | 5 |
| CHM 1360 | Survey of Biological Chemistry | 5 |
| UFDN 3001 | Christian Scripture for Transfer Students 1 | 5 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| FCS 3352 | Nutrition Education and Counseling | 5 |
| FCS 4340 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 5 |
| BUS 3614 | Organizational Behavior for Managers | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| FCS 4330 | Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism | 5 |
| FCS 4341 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 5 |
| FCS 4352 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FCS 4370 | Nutrition Research | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FCS 4899 | FCS Senior Capstone | 3 |
| FCS 4367 | Experimental Foods | 5 |
| BIO 3351 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| UFDN 3100 | Christian Theology 1 | 5 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 93 | |
Professional Licensure Disclosure
If you plan to become a registered dietitian (RDN), note that eligibility and procedures for certification/licensure vary from state to state. Further, requirements for certification/licensure can change without notice.
The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure. Find information here about certification/licensure in the state where you intend to practice your profession.