Nutrition, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration

Our dynamic program reflects the constantly changing field of nutrition. We provide a low student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for personal attention in teaching, advising, and mentoring. Many classes include a service-learning component which gives students additional opportunities for hands-on application of their coursework. Human Nutrition and Dietetics focuses on the application of the principles of nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, management, behavioral and social sciences to the promotion of optimal health in individuals. Students should choose this concentration if their professional goal includes becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Students in this concentration are automatically enrolled in the Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNC Greensboro and will complete didactic coursework necessary to apply for a supervised practice program in dietetics. Successful completion of this concentration readies the student for entry into the internship required to become a Registered Dietitian. This concentration is an Accredited Didactic Program of Dietetics recognized by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Program Distinctions

• Many of our students receive national awards for their research, including the Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship, Patsy Jane O’Malley Memorial Scholarship, and the National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN) Scholarship.
• The research laboratories contain modern equipment for the study of cellular and molecular nutrition, nutritional and clinical biochemistry, physical fitness and body composition, and dietary intake.
• Both the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration (also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics – DPD) and the Post-B.S. Certificate-Dietetic Internship program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
• Successful completion of the bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at UNCG qualifies you to compete for placement in ACEND-accredited dietetic internships. Following completion of a dietetic internship, students will take a national registration exam to earn the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential.

The Student Experience

• All nutrition students have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate research with faculty and participate in community nutrition activities requested by the surrounding community.
• Eligible students can conduct disciplinary honors projects.
• Many undergraduate courses have a community engagement component that affords students the opportunity to gain valuable experience.
• Human nutrition and dietetics graduates are eligible to apply for acceptance into a supervised practice program.
• Students may participate in the UNCG Nutrition Club, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, NC Dietetic Association, and the NC Academy of Science.
• Our program has an active research focus which includes opportunities for undergraduate students to participate. Key areas of research are obesity, energy balance, and chronic disease; bioactive food component effects on cell function and prevention of disease processes; and nutrition risks and needs of underserved/limited-resource populations.
• The Human Nutrition Research Labs include anthropometric equipment available for field research, exercise testing equipment, phlebotomy, and anthropometric measurement room, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DEXA) bone density unit, and Nutrition Data System for Research software for dietary intake analysis.

After Graduation

Potential career paths include:

• Clinical Dietitians work as part of the health care team in hospitals and other healthcare institutions to meet the special dietary needs of clients such as those with diabetes or cancer, premature infants, and the elderly.
• Patient Food Services Managers plan and oversee meals and nutritional programs and direct staff employed in organizations such as hospitals and retirement communities.
• Public Health Nutritionists are employed in community agencies whose missions are to promote health, prevent disease, and provide primary health care.
• Consultant Dietitians in private practice advise corporations, conduct wellness programs and seminars, counsel groups such as athletes, and promote nutrition through articles and books.
• Product Representatives for pharmaceutical companies advise and educate health professionals.
• Cooperative Extension Agents translate research findings in food and nutrition into consumer education.

Undergraduate Minor

• Nutrition Undergraduate Minor