B.S. in Dietetics
James Madison University
Key Information
Campus location
Harrisonburg, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 6,434 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
The program will prepare graduates to work collaboratively and interprofessionally.
In the James Madison University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), students use creativity in learning from classroom experiences, case studies, computer applications, and problem-solving and decision-making projects. Students will gain research experience in their senior year. Students also obtain real-life experiences by completing a hospital-based practicum covering all aspects of dietetics practice.
As a dietetics major, students will complete coursework requirements to become a generalist in dietetics and will be exposed to all facets of this dynamic profession. Following the completion of the program in dietetics, students should plan to meet the experience requirements for registered dietitian status by completing a dietetic internship (DI). The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at JMU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Students will study a wide variety of subjects including food and nutrition science, chemistry, physiology, anatomy and microbiology that will prepare them for meeting the requirements to become registered dietitians. Registered dietitians work in a wide variety of employment settings including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in dietetics is the first step toward registration as a dietitian nutritionist. The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential is a national credential that requires completion of a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD), a Supervised Practice program, usually a Dietetic Internship (DI), and successful completion of the national registration examination. The DPD at James Madison University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-4876. The program in dietetics gives the student a wide view of dietetics careers including clinical dietetics, administrative dietetics, community dietetics, food service, education and research.
Required Courses
- General Education: The Human Community 41 Credit Hours 1
- Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) 3 Credit Hours
- Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) 3-4 Credit Hours 2
- Pre-requisite requirements (listed below) for admission to the major 36 Credit Hours1
- Dietetics major requirements (listed below) 63 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. Up to 23 credits of the General Education requirements may be fulfilled through courses that are listed as pre-requisite courses for admission to this major.
2 The scientific literacy requirement is met by courses required in the major.
Special Admission Requirements and Program Pre-requisite Courses
Any student admitted to JMU can declare dietetics as his/her major and will be permitted to enroll in NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness and NUTR 295. Foundations of Nutrition Practice. However, to make progress in the major beyond the first few courses students need to apply and be admitted to the professional program.
Students wishing to be admitted to the dietetics program at JMU must apply in the spring semester during which admission requirements will be met by February 15, usually the sophomore year.
Students applying for admission must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the following courses, with no grade lower than a “C.”
- BIO 270. Human Physiology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00 1 and
- BIO 270L. Human Physiology Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00 1
- CHEM 131. General Chemistry I [C3PP] Credits: 3.00 1 and
- CHEM 131L. General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00 1
- CHEM 132. General Chemistry II Credits: 3.00 and
- CHEM 132L. General Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- HTH 210. Medical Terminology Credits: 3.00
- MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR] Credits: 3.00 1
- NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 295. Foundations of Nutrition Practice Credits: 2.00
- POSC 225. U.S. Government [C4AE] Credits: 4.00 1
- PSYC 101. General Psychology [C5SD] Credits: 3.00 1
or - PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development [C5SD] Credits: 3.00 1
- SCOM 121. Fundamental Human Communication: Presentations [C1HC] Credits: 3.00 1
or - SCOM 122. Fundamental Human Communication: Individual Presentations [C1HC] Credits: 3.00 1
or - SCOM 123. Fundamental Human Communication: Group Presentations [C1HC] Credits: 3.00 1
- WRTC 103. Rhetorical Reading and Writing [C1W] Credits: 3.00 1
Footnote
1 May also fulfill General Education or B.S. degree requirements.
Retention and Receiving Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification
To remain in the major, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in the major, earn grades of “C” (2.0) or higher in all remaining major nutrition and health classes, and earn a C- (1.7) or better in all remaining major science classes. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the following courses: NUTR 363, NUTR 446, NUTR 482, NUTR 484, and NUTR 490. All successful graduates will receive four copies of a signed verification statement from the James Madison University DPD as soon as a final transcript verifying all grades and degree confirmation is available.
Dietetics Required Courses
- BIO 245. General Microbiology Credits: 3.00 1 and
- BIO 245L. General Microbiology Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
- BIO 290. Human Anatomy Credits: 3.00 and
- BIO 290L. Human Anatomy Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- CHEM 241. Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3.00 1 and
- CHEM 241L. Concepts of Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
- CHEM 260. Concepts of Biochemistry Credits: 3.00 1 and
- CHEM 260L. Concepts of Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
- HTH 354. U.S. and Global Health Care Systems Credits: 3.00
- IPE 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach Credits: 1.00
- NUTR 340. Science of Food Preparation Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 350. Emerging Research in Nutrition and Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 360. Management in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 363. Quantity Food Production Credits: 4.00
- NUTR 380. Global Nutrition Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 384. Clinical Nutrition I Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 385. Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 446. Experimental Foods Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 482. Nutrition and Metabolism Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 484. Clinical Nutrition II Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 485. Community Nutrition Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 486. Counseling Skills for Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 490. Field Experience in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 495. Senior Seminar in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
Footnote
1 May also fulfill General Education or B.S. degree requirements.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year
- CHEM 131. General Chemistry I [C3PP] Credits: 3.00
- CHEM 131L. General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00
- NUTR 295. Foundations of Nutrition Practice Credits: 2.00
- PSYC 101. General Psychology [C5SD] Credits: 3.00 1
or - PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development [C5SD] Credits: 3.00 1
- Quantitative requirement (B.S. degree requirement) 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 103. Rhetorical Reading and Writing [C1W] Credits: 3.00
- Cluster 1 - Critical Thinking (any course in Cluster 1 Critical Thinking area)
- Cluster 1 - Communication (any course in Cluster 1 Communication area)
- General Education courses 9 Credit Hours
Second Year
- BIO 270. Human Physiology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00 1 and
- BIO 270L. Human Physiology Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00
- CHEM 132. General Chemistry II Credits: 3.00 1
- CHEM 132L. General Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
- HTH 210. Medical Terminology Credits: 3.00
- POSC 225. U.S. Government [C4AE] Credits: 4.00 1
- MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR] Credits: 3.00 1
- NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness Credits: 3.00
- General Education courses 9 Credit Hours
Third Year*
- CHEM 241. Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3.00
- CHEM 241L. Concepts of Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- CHEM 260. Concepts of Biochemistry Credits: 3.00
- CHEM 260L. Concepts of Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- HTH 354. U.S. and Global Health Care Systems Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 340. Science of Food Preparation Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 350. Emerging Research in Nutrition and Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 360. Management in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 363. Quantity Food Production Credits: 4.00
- NUTR 380. Global Nutrition Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 384. Clinical Nutrition I Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 385. Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle Credits: 3.00
Fourth Year*
- BIO 245. General Microbiology Credits: 3.00 and
- BIO 245L. General Microbiology Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- BIO 290. Human Anatomy Credits: 3.00 and
- BIO 290L. Human Anatomy Laboratory Credits: 1.00
- IPE 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach Credits: 1.00
- NUTR 446. Experimental Foods Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 482. Nutrition and Metabolism Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 484. Clinical Nutrition II Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 485. Community Nutrition Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 486. Counseling Skills for Dietetics Credits: 3.00
- NUTR 490. Field Experience in Dietetics Credits: 3.00 2
- NUTR 495. Senior Seminar in Dietetics Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 These courses may count for both General Education and the major depending on General Education course choice.
2 Field experience practicum should be completed the summer between junior and senior years.
*Courses in Years 3 and 4 are offered only one semester per year with the exception of NUTR 380.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Nutrition
- Director of Research and Development at Ortho Molecular Products
- Registered Nurse (New or Experienced) - DUH - General Surgery Trauma Stepdown at Duke Health
- (#R26155) Behavioral Health Home Wellness Nurse / Salisbury Behavioral Health at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Psychiatric/DD Nurse ALL Shifts Available (RN's Only) at Summit Behavioral Healthcare
- After-School Sports & Recreation Specialist, Grades K-12 at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Adaptive Physical Education Teacher SPED at UHS of Delaware, Inc.
- Territory Business Manager (North Carolina) at The Kraft Heinz Company
- (#Req-020258) Supply Chain Rotational Development Program – Quality Track at Conagra Brands
- 2023 MBA STEP Future Leader, Assistant Brand Manager at Reckitt
- 2023 Finance STEP Future Leader at Reckitt
- Scientist, Analytical Chemistry at Eurofins
- Territory Business Manager (Virginia) at The Kraft Heinz Company
- Registered Nurse at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Health Services Specialist at County of York
- Inside Sales Representative - Illinois at Ortho Molecular Products
- Public Health Nurse II - Bertie County at Albemarle Regional Health Services
- Pharmacist- Nationwide Openings with Kroger Health at Kroger (34433)
- Clinical Registered Dietitian at Operation Food Search
- Dental Hygienist at Community of Hope
Dietitian
- Dietitian at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
- Community Public Health Nutritionist at Fairfax County Government
- Health Facility Surveyor - RALF Facilities - LPN/OT/PT/RD/LSW/RCA/RN/QIDP at Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Teaching Kitchen Chef RD - YNHH at Yale New Haven Health
- Nutrition Education Program Director at Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc.
- Clinical Registered Dietitian at Operation Food Search
- Sous Chef at Memphis Grizzlies
- Senior Public Health Nutritionist at Fairfax County Government
- Clinical Dietitian I at Hospital Sisters Health System
- Registered Dietitian - Oncology at Cone Health
- Clinical Dietician at Lutheran SeniorLife
- Wellness Specialist at Life Extension
- Clinical Dietitian at Trinity Health - Minot, North Dakota
Internships for JMU Students
Nutrition
- Strength and Conditioning Intern at Colorado School of Mines
- Product Development Internship at Nestlé USA
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Spring 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Summer 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Paid Internships for Education Majors and Student Athletes at a Coed Summer Camp at Tyler Hill Camp
- Coed Summer Camp - Paid Internships at Tyler Hill Camp
- Culinary Research & Development Internship -- Summer 2023 at Casey's
- CDC Clinical Chemistry Internship at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- (#Req-020077) Quality Internship - Summer 2023 - Nationwide at Conagra Brands
- USDA-ARS Internship in Phytochemical Analysis at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Summer 2023 Nurse Extern Opportunities, Allegheny Health Network at Allegheny Health Network
- Nutrition Inside Sales Internship– Health Care Professional HCP - Summer 2023 at Abbott
- Abbott Nutrition Consumer Sales Internship - Summer 2023 at Abbott
- Fall 2022 Corporate Partnerships Intern at Share Our Strength
- Public Policy & Congressional Engagement Internship at InterAction
- USDA-ARS SCINet Postdoctoral Fellowship in Deep Learning Workflows and Image Libraries at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Chef Summer Intern at Sodexo
- Product Marketing Summer Intern (Protein Nutrition) at ADM
- STEP-UP Summer Internship Program at Penn State College of Medicine
Dietitian
- NSA Summer Internship - Workforce Support (MD) at National Security Agency (NSA)
- Sports Nutrition internship experience with The University of Miami Football at University of Miami
- Nutrition and/or Exercise Science Intern at Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.