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Dietetics
If you are interesting in pursuing a career as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), the Dietetics specialization within the Nutrition major is a great option for you. Registered dietitian nutritionists are recognized experts in the field of food, nutrition and health who work in clinical, community, food service, research and corporate settings.
Oakland University’s B.S. in Nutrition with a Dietetics specialization has been granted candidacy accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The specialization is designed to be completed in the last two years of study at OU.
For more information about ACEND, please visit the ACEND website or contact them at:
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Graduates of the Dietetics specialization at Oakland University will be eligible for entrance into ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs including combined masters programs and dietetic internships or Future Education Model masters programs. Upon successful completion of supervised practice and a masters degree, graduates are eligible to sit for the credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionists. For more information about becoming an RDN, please visit the Commission on Dietetics Registration website.
Curricular RequirementsDegree Plan Advising Apply
For more information on requirements and how to apply for entry into the specialization, please see How to Apply.
The Dietetics Specialization consists of Prerequisite and Supporting courses and Core Dietetics Nutrition courses. Detailed information about the course requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
BIO 2006 Clinical Anatomy and Physiology or BIO 2100 Human Anatomy and 2600 Human Physiology
BIO 1200 Biology I
CDS 2100 Medical Terminology
CDS Microbiology of Infectious Diseases or BIO 3500 General Microbiology or BIO 3520 Introduction to Human Microbiology
CDS 4250 Medical Biochemistry or BIO 3232 Biochemistry I
CHM 1440 General Chemistry I
CHM 1450 General Chemistry I Lab
CHM 1470 General Chemistry II
CHM 1480 General Chemistry Lab II
CHM 2340 Organic Chemistry
EHS 2550 Basic Statistics for Health Sciences or STA 2220 Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning
HS 2000 Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors
HS 3500 Health Behavior Theories
NTR 1000 Careers in Dietetics
NTR 2500 Human Nutrition and Health
NTR 2600 Nutrition Assessment Methods
NTR 2651 Nutrition Assessment Methods Lab
PH 3000 Introduction to Public Health
PSY 1000 Introduction to Psychology or SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology
WRT 1060 Composition II
NTR 2700 Food Science
NTR 2750 Introduction to Cooking and Culinary Science
NTR 3000 Nutrition Research Methods
NTR 3100 Dietetics Seminar
NTR 3120 Community Nutrition
NTR 3140 Food Nutrition and Culture
NTR 3300 Organizational Behavior and Healthcare Systems
NTR 4100 Nutrition and Life Cycles
NTR 4200 Communication and Counseling in Nutrition Practice
NTR 4300 Food Service Management
NTR 4350 Nutrient Metabolism
NTR 4400 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
NTR 4450 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
NTR 4500 Professional Practice and Ethics in Nutrition
NTR 4600 Community Nutrition Practicum
Students may have to take additional courses to complete Oakland University degree requirements. Please see the degree plan for dietetics majors for a sample 4-year plan.
To graduate with a Dietetics Specialization, students must earn a C or higher in all Nutrition courses, at least a B- in NTR 4600 and complete 20 hours of nutrition-related community service. Information and guidelines regarding the community service requirement will be covered in NTR 3100.
For information on the academic calendar, holidays, finals, and other important dates please visit the university calendar.
Mission of the Dietetics Specialization
The Dietetics Specialization within the Nutrition program will prepare graduates for entry into supervised practice leading to eligibility to become a registered dietitian nutritionist by providing interdisciplinary education, experiential learning opportunities in nutrition and a strong community engagement focus.
Program Goals and Objectives
Goal 1. To prepare graduates to apply knowledge of biological, chemical, social and behavioral sciences to nutrition practice through coursework, supervised experiential learning and community engagement.
- At least 80% of graduates complete program/degree requirements within 3 years of entering the program (150% of program length).
- At least 80% of graduates who work in the field of nutrition and dietetics will rate their preparation from/by the dietetics specialization program for their careers as a 4 out of 5.
Goal 2. To prepare graduates for supervised practice programs, graduate school, or employment in nutrition related fields.
- Seventy percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- Seventy percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- The program’s one year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- Eighty percent of supervised practice program directors rate their satisfaction with the preparation of graduates for supervised practice as a 4 or higher on a 5 point scale.
- Of students who seek employment immediately after graduation, 60% will be employed in a nutrition related field.
Goal 3. To prepare graduates to impact local communities through engagement in meaningful community nutrition service.
- Students will complete a minimum of 20 hours of nutrition-focused community service upon graduation.
- Eighty percent of students will rate their experience in Community Engaged Nutrition Practice as satisfied (4) or better on a 5-point scale.
- Eighty percent of community partners with nutrition and dietetics students placed for service opportunities in Community Engaged Nutrition Practice will rate their experience as satisfied (4) or better on a 5-point scale.
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
Applications for entry into the Specialization in the Fall of 2023 are due March 15, 2024 at 11:59pm. Please see application instructions for more information. Applications may be accepted after the deadline if there are still open slots.
If you are interested in applying, please download BOTH the application instructions and the application document, posted below.
Dietetics Specialization Admissions Application
Details regarding the information sessions for this academic year are coming soon.
Please email the Nutrition Program Director, Dr. Lynch (lynch3@stjohnsdlw.com) with any questions. Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing all of the following prerequisite courses. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon successful completion of any courses in progress.
BIO 2006 Clinical Anatomy and Physiology or BIO 2100 Human Anatomy and 2600 Human Physiology
BIO 1200 Biology I
CDS Microbiology of Infectious Diseases or BIO 3500 General Microbiology or BIO 3520 Introduction to Human Microbiology
CHM 1440 General Chemistry I
CHM 1450 General Chemistry I Lab
CHM 1470 General Chemistry II
CHM 1480 General Chemistry Lab II
CHM 2340 Organic Chemistry
EHS 2550 Basic Statistics for Health Sciences or STA 2220 Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning
HS 2000 Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors
NTR 1000 Careers in Dietetics
NTR 2500 Human Nutrition and Health*
NTR 2600 Nutrition Assessment Methods
WRT 1060 Composition II
It is recommended (but not required) that applicants have also completed:
HS 3500 Health Behavior Theories and PH 3000 Introduction to Public Health*Applicants must have received a B- or higher in NTR 2500Competitive applicants are recommended to have a minimum science GPA of 2.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. Please refer to the admissions form for how to calculate your science GPA.
Tuition costs are based on the number of credits taken per semester. Cost per credit hour varies based on residency, class standing and College or School in which the course is taken. There are no associated program fees. The information below pertains to courses taken within the School of Health Sciences, which is where all of the core Dietetics Specialization nutrition courses are sponsored.
Academic year 2021-2022 costs for credits taken within the School of Health Sciences are represented below.
0000-2999 Course Level: $477.50 per credit
3000+ Course Level: $562.00 per credit
For out-of-state residents, credit costs are based on number of credits taken, or level status:
Lower division (0-55 credits): $795.75 per credit
Upper division (56+ credits): $853.25 per credit
Cost for books and other supplies will vary with courses taken, however, there are no lab fees.
For more information regarding tuition, scholarships and to calculate costs, please refer to the Financial Services Website.
The 2023-2024 program handbook will be made available soon.
School of Health Sciences
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369
shs@stjohnsdlw.com
Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
inhealth@stjohnsdlw.com