Nutrition and Dietetics
A major in nutrition and dietetics builds on the foundations of life and social sciences. Dietitians study the relationship between health, wellness, and the science behind food and nutrition. Registered dietitians are eligible for positions in hospitals, k-12 and college/university dining services, long-term care facilities, food service industry, food manufacturing companies, government-sponsored child nutrition programs, the armed forces and Veterans Administration, community and public health agencies, research and education.
Â鶹´«Ã½'s program in nutrition and dietetics leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
As a graduate of WMU's nutrition and dietetics program, you will be eligible to apply for post-graduate internship programs. You should apply for admission to internships during the last semester of your senior year or after graduation. You must complete the internship and pass the registration examination for dietitians to qualify for certification as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
You can network and learn more about the field before you graduate by joining relevant Â鶹´«Ã½ and professional organizations. The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) is the registered Â鶹´«Ã½ organization in which nutrition and dietetics majors participate, and membership in SDA is the stepping-stone for involvement in the profession. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the national organization for the food and nutrition professionals and represents over 100,000 credentialed practitioners. Membership in the Academy automatically guarantees membership in the state dietetic association. The Southwest Michigan District Dietetic Association provides networking Â鶹´«Ã½ for dietitians in the southwest Michigan area and regularly provides continuing education activities in the form of seminars and presentations on various nutrition topics for its members.
Recent WMU graduates with degrees in nutrition and dietetics are working as:
- Consulting dietitians
- Clinical dietitians
- Directors of food and nutrition services
- Directors of school dining services
- Public health and community dietitians
- Nutrition educators
- Instructors and professors at colleges and universities
- Food and nutrition writers
- Corporate dietitians
- Sports dietitians
Organizations recent program graduates are employed by include:
- Hospitals, HMOs, or other health care facilities
- Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs
- Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries
- Private practices working under contract with health care providers, food companies or in their own business
- Community and public health agencies
- Food manufacturing companies
- Kalamazoo