Bachelor of Science In Nutrition & Dietetics

"The nutrition and dietetics program is a great track taught by very experienced professors," said Megan Scutti ’15, a retail dietitian for Shop Rite supermarkets. "I feel that in every class, I received the best advice that applied to what I want to do as a career. Many of my professors had such a diverse level of experience in the nutrition and dietetics field."

To better align with the changes set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Future Education Model of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the Nutrition & Dietetics program is phasing out its undergraduate degree, and will no longer accept students into this specific program. Click here for information on our new, Accelerated Bachelor’s + Master’s program in Nutrition Sciences (Pathway to RD/RDN).

Motivate others to lead healthy lives

The University of New Haven’s nutrition and dietetics major is designed for individuals who believe in the important role proper nutrition plays in being health and fit and who want to turn this passion into a career motivating others to improve their eating habits.

Our Didactic Program (DPD) in Nutrition and Dietetics provides a science-based, healthcare-oriented approach to food and nutrition accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The accredited program provides Verification Statements to successful graduates to go on to dietetic internship programs or become registered dietetic technicians.


Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org

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You’ll become a sought-after and in-demand expert in this field by:
  • Gaining hands-on experience through an internship at a health and wellness facility, food service operation or community program
  • Studying sports and community nutrition
  • Taking courses in chemistry, communication and biology
  • Preparing to take examinations required to be a registered dietetic technician (DTR) or registered dietitian (RD)
  • Having the opportunity to join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a student member, as well as the University’s Nutrition and Dietetics Club

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of New Haven are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN please click here.

Mission Statement and Program Outcomes

It is the mission of the Nutrition and Dietetics program to prepare registered dietitians/nutritionists through excellence in arts, sciences, professional leadership, service and experiential, collaborative and discovery-based learning.

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Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

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Selected Courses and Programs

  • Review of the principles of nutrition and exercise with emphasis on counseling the athlete; facts and fallacies of sports nutrition; energy and fluid balance; evaluating sports nutrition information in the lay literature; appropriate diets for training; and managing the young person, older adult, and athlete with special needs. Planning meals for training and competition, as well as using computerized nutrient analysis, will be included.

  • This course introduces the student to the study of food and culture of diverse groups in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It examines how ethnic foods and dietary practices may affect the nutritional status of a population. It explores intercultural communication strategies and studies the history, religion, family structure, and traditional health practices to illuminate the cultural context from which ethnic cuisine emerges, evolves, and influences North American fare.

  • This course examines nutritional intervention strategies and counseling skills that pertain to disease prevention and management. It is designed to build appropriate knowledge base and skills levels needed to create appropriate care plans and counseling strategies designed to meet individual client assessment/counseling situations.

  • Emphasizes tools for developing community nutrition programs including planning, needs assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Public health nutrition programs and policies for varying population groups will be discussed for cultural, economic, and social health practices. Budgeting food for low-income populations, complementary/alternative medicine practices, and presenting nutrition education programs will be included.

Charger Advantage

Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Accreditation

Accreditation Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

The University of New Haven’s Nutrition and Dietetics program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics. The last reaccreditation was granted in August 2017
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Resources and Important Information

  • Science-based courses

    • 1 semester of Human Biology w/ lab-4 credits
    • 2 semesters of General Chemistry w/ Lab- 8 credits
    • 2 semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab- 8 credits
    • 1 semester of Organic Chemistry- 3 credits
    • 1 semester of Biochemistry- 3 credits
    • 1 semester of Microbiology with lab-4 credits

    Major courses

    • Principles of Nutrition
    • Food, Nutrition and Culture
    • Food Science w/Lab
    • Institutional Food Service
    • Special Topics (Sports Nutrition, Culinary Nutrition)
    • Nutrition Through the Lifecycle
    • Nutrition Counseling
    • Community Nutrition
    • Nutrition and Disease I & II
    • Nutrition Care Process
    • Research Methods & Statistics in Nutrition
    • Principles of Dietetics Management
    • Healthy Food Prep w/Lab

    Other Required Courses

    • Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • College Algebra
    • Principles of Communication
    • Introduction to Multimedia

    All of the above courses must be successfully completed to earn a verification statement to apply to a dietetic internship program. ("C" or better must be earned in all science courses and "B-" or better must be earned in all nutrition courses, plus a GPA of 3.0 or higher).

  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the leading professional organization for registered dietitians and students.

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  • Registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who must meet established criteria to earn the RD or RDN credential.

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  • As of January 1, 2024, applicants looking to take the national registration examination must have a graduate degree. For more information, contact the Nutrition and Dietetics program’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) director or the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

  • Currently, the minimum requirements to become a registered dietitian include the successful completion of a: 1) bachelor’s degree in an accredited (ACEND) program, 2) verification statement, 3) dietetic internship program, and 4) passing (70%) the national registration examination.

    As of January 1, 2024, the minimum requirements to become a registered dietitian will change to successful the completion of a: 1) graduate degree (either your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree must be from an accredited (ACEND) program), 2) verification statement, 3) supervised practice (also known as a dietetic internship), and 4) national registration examination. A verification statement will be required before taking the national dietetic registration examination to become an entry-level registered dietitian.

    Incoming first-year students will be required to follow the requirements for the new education model that requires a graduate degree, verification statement, and supervised practice before taking the national registration examination.

  • Get an inside look at how the University will prepare you for a rewarding career as a registered dietitian nutritionist.

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  • Get answers about our nutrition and dietetics program and the opportunities you will have a professional in this field.

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