Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in Dietetics provides a comprehensive foundation in the science and practice of nutrition with a focus on the role of diet in health promotion, disease prevention, and clinical care. The curriculum emphasizes the biological and behavioral sciences underlying nutrition and prepares students to understand the complex relationships among food, nutrients, health, and disease across the lifespan.

Coursework includes a broad range of nutritional domains such as community nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, research, and food science, and integrates concepts from physiology and chemistry to support evidence-based decision making. Through a combination of didactic learning and applied experiences, students develop critical thinking, communication, and professional skills relevant to contemporary dietetics practice.

The Dietetics major prepares graduates for post-baccalaureate education and training in dietetics and nutrition, as well as for graduate study in public health, and related health professions. Graduates are positioned to pursue careers in health care, community and public health settings, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, industry, and academic environments focused on nutrition and wellness.

Requirements for the Major in Dietetics, B.S. Program

Students completing a B.S. degree in Dietetics must complete a minimum of 120 credits and the following:

General Education Requirements

In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. For details, refer to the General Education Requirements section of the catalog.

Nutrition Foundations Courses

• course Biology I (4)

• course Clinical Anatomy and Physiology (5)
  or course Human Anatomy (4) and course Human Physiology (4) 

• course Microbiology of Infectious Diseases (3)
  or course General Microbiology (4) 
  or course Introduction to Human Microbiology (4) 

• course Medical Biochemistry (4)
  or course Biochemistry I (4) 

• course General Chemistry I (4)

• course General Chemistry II (4)

• course General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)

• course General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

• course Organic Chemistry I (4)

• course Basic Statistics for Health Sciences (3)
  or course Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (4) 

• course Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors (3) and course Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors Learning Lab (1)*

• course Health Behavior Theories (3) *

• course Careers in Nutrition (1)

• course Human Nutrition and Health (3)

• course Nutrition Assessment Methods (3)

• course Nutrition Assessment Methods Laboratory (1)

• course Introduction to Public Health (3) *

• course Introduction to Psychology (4)
  or course Introduction to Sociology (4)*

• course Composition II (4)

*Courses that also satisfy the university General Education Requirement

Dietetics Professional Courses

It is recommended that students be fully admitted to the Dietetics, B.S. program (see “Applications” section below) prior to enrolling in the following courses. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. 

• course Introduction to Food Science (3)

• course Introduction to Cooking and Culinary Science (2)

• course Nutrition Research Methods (3)

• course Dietetics Seminar (1)

• course Community Nutrition (3)

• course Food, Nutrition, and Culture (3) *

• course Organizational Behavior and Health Care Systems (3)

• course Lifecycle Nutrition (4)

• course Communication and Counseling in Nutrition Practice (4)

• course Food Service Management (4)

• course Nutrient Metabolism (4)

• course Medical Nutrition Therapy I (4)

• course Medical Nutrition Therapy II (4)

• course Professional Practice and Ethics in Nutrition (4) *

• course Community Nutrition Practicum (4)

*Courses that also satisfy the university general education requirement

Other Requirements:

• Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA

• Earn a minimum grade of B- in course Community Nutrition Practicum

• Meet standards for program identified accreditation requirements for knowledge and professionalism

• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of nutrition-focused community service or volunteer work

Admission to the Dietetics, B.S. Program

The Dietetics major can be completed in 4 years, however, students are admitted into the major upon successful completion of approximately 2 years of prerequisite courses. There is a competitive application process for entry into the Dietetics program which includes preliminary coursework and the following requirements:

• A minimum grade of B- in course

• Grade point average for science courses (recommended minimum 2.0)

• Overall GPA (recommended minimum 2.8)

• Personal statement

• Resume

• Application

To apply, students must complete (or be enrolled in*):

• course Biology I (4) 

• course Clinical Anatomy and Physiology (5) 
  or course Human Anatomy (4) and  course Human Physiology (4)    

• course Physiology Laboratory (1)  

• course General Chemistry I (4) 

• course General Chemistry II (4) 

• course General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) 

• course General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) 

• course Organic Chemistry I (4) 

• course Basic Statistics for Health Sciences (3) 
  or course Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (4) 

• course Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors (3) 

• course Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors Learning Lab (1) 

• course Careers in Nutrition (1) 

• course Human Nutrition and Health (3) 

• course Nutrition Assessment Methods (3) 

• course Nutrition Assessment Methods Laboratory (1) 

• course Introduction to Public Health (3) 

• course Composition II (4) 

*Admission into the B.S. in Dietetics will be conditional upon successful completion of courses in progress at the time of application

Graduation Requirements

Students in the Dietetics program who do not sufficiently complete all required coursework and additional requirements for the B.S. in Dietetics are not eligible to graduate with the B.S. in Dietetics.  In these cases, students are eligible to graduate with a B.S. in Nutrition if all required coursework for the B.S. in Nutrition are sufficiently completed.

Applicable Minors

All Minors are applicable to this major with the exception of the following Minor(s): Child Welfare, International Orientation for EGR/CS, and Sustainability Engineering.