Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition prepares students to serve and lead others through living and teaching healthful nutrition practices and wellness lifestyles.  Christian values and ethics are encouraged in any area of nutrition the student chooses.  Students may declare Nutrition as a major with a concentration in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Exercise Science, Community, or Food Service.  Entry into the DPD requires a formal application process. Below are details concerning the concentrations in Nutrition.

• Didactic Program in Dietetics concentration (NDPD).  The Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE, a division of the American Dietetic Association).  CADE’s address and phone number are:  120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040, ext. 5400.  Entry into the DPD requires a formal application process.  Students who are interested in becoming Registered Dietitians may apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) after passing 60 hours through a formal application and interview process.  Transfer students or current students wishing to change their major may also apply to the DPD after passing 60 hours and having taken at least 6 hours of nutrition courses at ACU. A GPA of 3.2 is required for entrance into the DPD.  Graduates of the DPD are prepared to enter dietetic internships, after which they may sit for the Registered Dietitian examination.  Registered Dietitians may find employment in healthcare facilities, community and public health nutrition programs, other government entities, private practice, school nutrition programs, sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, university education, research, sales, marketing, restaurant management, and food companies. 

• Exercise Science concentration (NUEX).  An increased emphasis is placed on health promotion in our society today.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U. S. Department of Agriculture recommend 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity on most days.  Other national organizations have similar recommendations.  As a result, proper nutrition for exercise and sport has increased in importance for individuals to stay healthy before, during, and after exercise.  Graduates with the Exercise Science concentration are trained to counsel individuals concerning proper nutrition practices in wellness centers or other exercise-related settings such as gyms or sport facilities. However, they are not prepared to counsel individuals concerning disease states. They can also receive a personal training certificate.

• Community concentration (NUCO).  Nutrition professionals are in demand to educate the public in various settings.  Graduates of the Community concentration are trained to effectively communicate nutrition messages to individuals and the public.  They may find employment with the Extension Service, school nutrition programs, supermarkets, or in public health/government nutrition programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

• Food Service concentration (NUFS).  The food service industry affects virtually every person living in the U.S., and employment opportunities are expected to increase.  Graduates of the Food Service concentration are trained in food management, food marketing principles, and food safety.  They may find employment in school nutrition programs, food service facilities or restaurants as managers, or health departments as food inspectors.

• University Admission Requirements
• Academic/Program Calendar
• Graduation and Program Completion Requirements
• DPD Mission, Goals, Outcomes
• Criteria for Admittance into the DPD
• Shortage of Internship Positions