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Academic Programs: Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics
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Health and Nutrition Sciences

Academic Programs: Undergraduate
Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics

Director: Doreen Liou
Office: University Hall, Room 4022
Phone: (973) 655-4416
Email: lioud@mail.montclair.edu

Coordinator: Donna Verney
Office: University Hall, Room 4110
Phone: (973) 655-5363

Overview

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), this program prepares students for the practical internships and the national Registration Examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). Students are prepared to work in a variety of clinical, community, and wellness settings. Upon successful completion of this program, students receive ADA verification in addition to the Baccalaureate degree.

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science - General 1983 Gen Ed. worksheet

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science - General 2002 GER worksheet

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Mission

The mission of the Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics program is to provide culturally diverse students with a broad general education background and a solid foundation in nutrition and food studies. The program strives to offer a supportive learning environment with enriching experiences and practical training that is responsive to student, professional and community needs. The aim of the program is prepare graduates to work in a variety of dietetic careers and to be influential and active members of the profession. The program is dedicated to excellence in intellectual development, critical thinking and social justice.

Goals and Measurable Outcomes

I. The program will prepare students to enter dietetic internships, graduate programs, or entry-level dietetics-related careers. Outcome Measures:
  1. Students will receive a "C" or greater in all courses required as part of the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
  2. Students will develop and maintain educational portfolios.
  3. Student retention rate will be at least 70% for students entering the dietetics program.
  4. At least 60% of senior dietetic students will apply to dietetic internship programs within one year after graduation.
  5. Students will achieve a pass rate of at least 80% among graduates who take the Registered Examination for Dietitians.
  6. The mean rating of knowledge base that dietetic internship directors assess program graduates will meet or exceed "satisfactory" on surveys (3 on scale of 1-5).
  7. Graduates will rate the quality of their dietetics educational programs as adequately preparing them for graduate studies or entry-level dietetic positions (3 or better on a scale of 1-5).
  8. The mean rating of competencies reflecting communication and application of knowledge that employers assess dietetic graduates will meet or exceed "satisfactory" on employer surveys (2 or better on scale of 1-3).
II. The program will prepare students to become active members and leaders of the dietetics community. Outcome Measures:
  1. Seventy-five percent of dietetic students will become members of Montclair State Dietetics Organization (MSDO).
  2. Fifty percent of graduates will become active members of professional food and/or health organizations and assume leadership positions within those organizations over a period of 4 years.

More Major Information

BECOMING A REGISTERED DIETITIAN (RD)

Most students majoring in Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics chose to continue their studies to obtain credentials as a registered dietitian (R.D.). This credential qualifies students for higher positions and a greater variety of career choices. The dietetics major provides the courses necessary to meet the Standards of Education of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The following lists the full requirements to become an RD:
  • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). You must complete a set of coursework which meets the educational competencies of ADA in an ADA accredited program. The specific competencies are in the areas of communications, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, research, food, nutrition, management, and health care systems.

  • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement. Students who complete their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science-Dietetics are entitled to receive an ADA Verification Statement. This statement is required when students apply to dietetic internship programs and in some cases for employment. Six copies of this verification statement will be provided free of charge for students completing program requirements in December 2005 and after. During your last semester of education at MSU, request an evaluation for an ADA verification statement from the ADA Coordinator or departmental advisors. This policy will also be announced in all upper level dietetic classes. Additional packets of 6 copies of the verification statement will require a fee of $50. Students applying to an internship program before graduation, need to obtain a Declaration of Intent to complete the DPD. Forms are available from the ADA Coordinator.

  • Bachelor's Degree. The Nutrition and Food Science major at MSU requires 125 credits to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in any field may complete the coursework to achieve a Verification Statement.

  • Dietetic Internship. After completion of a bachelor's degree and obtaining a DPD Verification Statement, individuals are eligible to enter an internship program. The intern application process is competitive. Internships generally access applicants based on DPD grades, experiences in the field of dietetics, letters of recommendation, and interviews. A list of internships is available on the American Dietetic Association website, www.eatright.org. Information about the application process can be found at http://www.depdpg.org and http://www.dieteticinterntips.com.

  • For information about the dietetic internship at MSU go to http://cehs.montclair.edu/academic/hns/programs/ada.shtml

Course Requirements:

Dietetics Concentration* Core Courses
Number Name Hours
NUFD 130 Introduction to Nutrition and Food Science Profession 1
NUFD 150 Food Composition and Scientific Preparation 3
NUFD 153 Dynamics of Food and Society 3
NUFD 192 Nutrition with Laboratory 4
NUFD 255 Meal Design and Management 3
NUFD 282 Applied Nutrition in the Lifecycle 4
NUFD 304 Introduction to Research 3
NUFD 490 Nutrition and Food Science Professional Seminar 1
 
* This didactic program in dietetics is approved by the American Dietetics Association. Careful advisement is recommended so that requirements of the American Dietetics Association might be met.
 
Required Courses
Number Name Hours
NUFD 252 Quantity Food Purchasing and Production Laboratory 2
NUFD 253 Quantity Food Purchasing and Production 3
NUFD 352 Organization and Management of Foodservice Systems** 3
NUFD 357 Experimental Food Science** 3
NUFD 382 Advanced Nutrition** 4
NUFD 412 Nutrition Education Techniques** 3
NUFD 482 Nutrition Counseling 3
NUFD 488 Medical Nutrition Therapy** 4
NUFD 499 Nutrition Assessment and Support 2
 
** These courses must be taken at Montclair State University. If any of these courses have previously been completed at another institution, a challenge exam can be scheduled with the ADA coordinator to show proficiency in the subject area. The fee for the exam is $100.
 
Collateral Courses
Number Name Hours
BIOL 243 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
BIOL 254 Applied Microbiology 3
CHEM 109 College Chemistry Laboratory I 1
CHEM 111 Elements of Chemistry I 3
CHEM 130 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry 4
CHEM 270 Fundamentals of Biochemistry 5
 
ECON 101 Principles of Economics: Macro 3
OR
ECON 102 Principles of Economics: Micro 3
 
MATH 109 Statistics 3
MGMT 231 Management Processes 3
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 81 credits