Overview

Human Nutrition: The study of human nutrition prepares students to enter the dynamic field of dietetics, the high-tech science of applying food and nutrition to health. All undergraduates wishing to pursue dietetics at Washington State University (WSU) must certify in the General Dietetics Program (GDP). The GDP provides the core curriculum for students seeking to become a registered dietitian at WSU. During their senior year, students may apply to participate in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD). Undergraduates can also pursue a degree in Nutritional Sciences.

Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in food science and human nutrition, minor, master of science, doctorate degree

Available at: Pullman (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.)

Dietetics

OPTIONS IN DIETETICS

What is dietetics? Dietetics is an exciting and challenging profession that attracts people with a passion for good health, a love of food and a strong desire to help people and families improve their health and well-being through good food and nutrition. Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into practical skills to provide optimal nutrition to individuals and groups of all ages and all states of health.

Students in dietetics study a broad range of disciplines, from physical, biological and social sciences to food, management and business. Graduates are then prepared to work in an array of settings. The most common settings include hospitals and health care facilities, community and public health settings, universities and medical centers, food and nutrition-related businesses and industries, consulting or private practice, and wellness and fitness programs.

What do dietitians do? Dietetics is a field that offers a relatively wide range of career paths, so dietitians perform a variety of functions in their jobs. Experienced dietitians may advance to management positions in a hospital, school or other institution. Some dietitians open a private practice, decide to go into research, commercial sales or to develop a specialty, such are renal or pediatric dietetics. The tasks a dietitian performs vary, depending on training and years of practice, but some common activities that dietitians carry out are listed below:

• Assessing nutritional status and dietary needs of individuals and groups
• Recommending foods for fitness, health, and the treatment of diseases
• Planning menus and supervising meal preparation 
• Teaching people about nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet
• Working with doctors and other medical professionals
• Managing financial, human and material resources
• Marketing services and products
• Developing education materials and programs about nutrition for diverse groups
• Conducting research

How do I become a Registered Dietitian? The goal of the dietetics options at WSU is to prepare students to work as registered dietitians. Registered dietitian (RD) is a nationally recognized credential demonstrating that an individual has met certain minimum academic and professional requirements. It is required for most jobs in the health care industry, particularly when nutrition counseling is involved.

To become a registered dietitian, an individual must:

• Obtain a bachelor's degree from a US regionally accredited institution;
• Take approved coursework for dietitians from an approved/accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. Coursework develops knowledge and skills in the basic sciences, nutrition, food science, communications and food service management.
• Complete a practicum, or supervised practice program, from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE); and
• Pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians to become a registered dietitian.

Washington State University , through the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, offers two undergraduate programs for training Registered Dietitians: General Dietetics Program and the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

• General Dietetics Program
• Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Dietetics
• Transfer Students

Careers in Human Nutrition

‘Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase 9 percent during the 2006-16 projection decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations.’  The need for dietitians is expected to increase due to the trend toward a physically fit, health-conscious lifestyle and due to a growing number of elderly in the population. Graduates in human nutrition may work in health care (hospitals, nursing care facilities, physicians offices, etc.), outpatient care centers, government agencies (federal, state and local), business and industry, public health departments, wellness programs, public/private, educational services, research, fitness centers, food service operations (contract, schools), and private practice. (http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm#outlook ).

Additional Resources on Careers

For more information, go to the following web sites: 

• American Dietetic Association:
• Occupational Outlook:
• Food service job descriptions:
• American Society for Nutrition:
• NutritionJobs.com:
  

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Enjoy working with people and have a strong interest in food and nutrition
• Good judgment and an understanding of human nature
• Motivation and initiative to work independently
• Ability to identify and solve problems
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to communicate, persuade, reason, listen and ask relevant questions
• Strong background in chemistry, biological science, and communication skills

Requirements and Core Courses

Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition

The General Dietetics Program (GDP) is a four-year program offered in Pullman , and provides the core curriculum for students seeking to become a registered dietitian (RD). Completing the GDP coursework is the first step towards obtaining the RD-credential. The GDP provides the didactic (classroom) component of preparation, required by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD), culminating in a B.S. degree.

The first two years of the dietetics program are devoted to completing most of WSU's General Education Requirements (GER's). Students also enroll in basic science, and other pre-requisite courses needed to certify into the General Dietetics Program. These courses prepare students for junior and senior level nutrition classes (300 and 400 level FSHN courses). The junior and senior years emphasize food service, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, and nutritional metabolism.

All students wanting to pursue dietetics must certify into the General Dietetics Program. When a student is “certified” it means he/she has been officially accepted into a program of study at WSU. “Uncertified” students are not officially part of any major or University program of study. All students at WSU must be “certified” into a degree program . In dietetics, only certified students can enroll in 300 or 400 level nutrition courses.

Students must meet specific requirements to certify in the dietetics major. Students not meeting these standards will be assisted in finding another major at WSU. Before students can continue their studies in the General Dietetics Program, and advance to 300 and 400 level nutrition courses, they must meet the following requirements:

• have a minimum cum GPA of 3.0
• must have passed pre-requisite coursework before entering junior/senior level courses in dietetics. Pre-requisite courses include: Chem 101 or 105 and 102 or 106; Chem 345; Biology 251; MBioS 101; FSHN 120/121; FSHN 201; FSHN 233; Accounting 230; Stats 205 or 212; English 101; Psychology 105
• must have a minimum grade of C or better in science courses (Chemistry, Biology and Molecular Biosciences)
• must have completed 60 semester credits
• must complete and submit all application materials by the deadline date.

It is highly recommended that students have some service learning/volunteer experience (at least 50 hours) before applying the GDP.

Depending on the dietetics option chosen, a minimum of 120 to 150 semester credits is required. At least 40 of the total hours must be 300 and 400 level courses.

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

• Chem 101—Introduction to Chemistry or Chem 105--Principles of Chemistry I
• Chem 102—Chemistry Related to Life Sciences or Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II
• Chem 345—Organic Chemistry
• Biol 251—Introductory Human Physiology
• MBioS 101—Introductory Microbiology
• Acctg 230—Intro to Financial Accounting (or equivalent)
• Stat 205 or 212—Introduction to Statistical Methods
• FSHN 120/121—Food Preparation and Lab

PRE-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• FSHN 201—Professional Dietetics
• FSHN 233—Nutrition For Living
• Engl 101—Introductory Writing
• Psych 105—Introductory Psychology

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AFTER CERTIFICATION IN THE GDP

• HBM 358 or MGMT 301—Foodservice Systems and Control
• MBioS 303—Introductory Biochemistry
• Biol 315—Gross and Microanatomy
• H D 204—Family Systems or H D 300-400 level and above (excluding H D 205)
• FSHN 330—Physiological Nutrition
• FSHN 331—Nutrition in the Human Life Cycle
• FSHN 350—Nutritional Counseling and Dietary Assessment
• FSHN 380—Management in Food Service Systems I
• FSHN 410—Advanced Practice Skills in Dietetics
• FSHN 420—Food Laws, Policies and Product Development
• FSHN 426—Community Nutrition
• FSHN 430—Human Nutrition, Intermediary Metabolism
• FSHN 438—Readings in Food and Nutrition
• FSHN 435—Medical Nutrition Therapy
• FSHN 436—Nutrition Education
• FSHN 437—Medical Nutrition Therapy Lab
• FSHN 480—Management in Food Service Systems II

Electives--six credits

Transfer Student

Students anticipating their transfer to WSU can best prepare by arranging their community college schedule carefully. Students should plan to take as many pre-requisite dietetics courses as possible. Prospective transfer students need to know:

•  Which courses the WSU dietetics program requires

•  The equivalent courses at their community college The handout “Especially for Transfer Students” has been prepared to answer questions transfer students commonly ask about transferring to WSU. WSU has several online tools for transfer students to use, and two handouts – “Using WSU's Transfer Site Part 1" & "Using WSU's Transfer Site Part 2” – are available to help students take full advantage of these online tools. After reading and seeking information on the web about transfers, if you still have questions, please contact the Student Advising and Learning Center, or the FSHN Department with your questions.

Additional links:

• “Transfer Course Equivalency site”
  ( https://webapps.wsu.edu/ais/myinfoservices/darstracs/)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available in loans, scholarships, and employment.

Part-time employment is available in departmental laboratories, the WSU Creamery, and areas outside the department. Summer and semester work experience in industry can be academically and financially rewarding from grant- or state-funded assistantships.

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Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)