University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Nutrition (Dietetics Specialization), B.S.


The Dietetics Specialization provides excellent preparation for students that want to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics.  The Specialization includes the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Employment opportunities for dietetic and nutrition professionals are growing and include those in health care, business and industry, public health, education, research and private practice.  Many employers require that an individual be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) while others require a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) credential.   The Dietetics Specialization curriculum provides a solid foundation for those who wish to earn one or both of these credentials.

There are several ways to earn the RDN credential.  A common way is to 1) complete a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a DPD (such as the Dietetic Specialization); 2) complete a post-baccalaureate accredited dietetic internship, and 3) pass a national credentialing exam. Note that 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 RDN.

One way to earn the NDTR credential is to 1) complete a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a DPD (such as the Dietetic Specialization); and 2) pass a national credentialing exam.  

A DPD Verification Statement is an official Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics document that confirms all DPD knowledge requirements have been met. Possession of a DPD Verification Statement containing the DPD Director’s original signature is needed to begin a dietetic internship, and to sit for the NDTR credentialing exam. The University will issue DPD Verification Statements only for those students who meet all of the following characteristics:

  • Earned a B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics Specialization) from the University or earned a baccalaureate at an accredited institution and completed at least 50% of the DPD courses at the University.
  • Earned a grade of 2.0 (C) or greater in all DPD courses. This includes DPD courses that were completed at the University and those DPD courses completed at other institutions.
  • Earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater in all DPD courses combined. This includes DPD courses that were completed at the University and those completed at other institutions.

A list of DPD courses and other information about the Dietetics Specialization can be found in the Didactic Program in Dietetics Handbook.

Program website.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of the scientific basis of the nutrition discipline.
  • demonstrate competency in the interpretation and critical analysis of the scientific literature which will be integrated into evidence-based practice.  

Contact Information


Department of Nutrition
Max C. Fleischman Building 106
(775)784-6644 / (775) 784-1375

For questions about academic advising:

All incoming and current students should contact:

CABNR Advising Center
(775)784-1634
student_center@cabnr.unr.edu
FA 236

For questions about career advising:

All students are encouraged to contact a member of the nutrition faculty for guidance and information about careers including preparing for graduate and/or professional school. 

Program website

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (28-32 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (5-6 units) - CO2


C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (8 units) - CO4, CO4L


D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7  courses.

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum   Chapter in this catalog

II. Additional Core Requirements (3 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


The following courses count in the General Education Requirement:

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (69-70 units)


V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (15-20 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


First Semester (15 units)


Second Semester (14 units)


B. Second Year


C. Third Year


D. Fourth Year