Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science
The mission of Bastyr University’s Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science is to promote well-being through food and activity that nourishes and sustains the individual, the community and the earth. The department’s vision is to be the leader in advancing a holistic view of nutrition and exercise through excellence in education, research and clinical practice.
The Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science prepares graduates to critically evaluate scientific literature and to incorporate current research and advances in nutrition and exercise science. The Bastyr University nutrition degree programs are unique in their emphasis on whole foods and multicultural, political and ecological dimensions of food. The concept of food as medicine is fundamental to natural health perspectives, optimal health and whole-person healing.
The Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science offers Bachelor of Science degrees with Majors in Nutrition, Nutrition and Culinary Arts, and Nutrition and Exercise Science.
There are three Master of Science offerings in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at the Kenmore campus: the Master of Science in Nutrition, the Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and the Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Dual Degree Program (MSN/MACP). There is one Master of Science offering at the San Diego campus: the Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness and Health Coaching.
In addition, the Dietetic Internship based on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ standards of education is offered to provide performance requirements for entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists through supervised practice.
For information about each of these programs, refer to the following pages:
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nutrition
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nutrition and Culinary Arts
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nutrition and Exercise Science
Master of Science in Nutrition
Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Dual Degree (MSN/MACP)
Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness and Health Coaching (MSNW) in California only
Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD)
Dietetic Internship
Required Abilities and Skills for Nutrition Program Students
A nutrition student must be able to demonstrate appropriate communication skills; intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities; professional behavior; and social maturity. A student is expected to be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
Communication: A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with others, including with faculty, with peers in the classroom and in group-project work, with patients if the student is in a clinical program, and with preceptors in a practicum or internship. The ability to communicate effectively, respectfully and thoughtfully, including in situations of disagreement or conflict, is important to academic and career success. Effective communication skills include not only in speech, but also through listening, reading, writing and non-verbal means.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: Required abilities in this category include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Critical thinking and problem solving are also essential for the full range of nutrition program areas of focus.
Behavioral and Social Attributes: A student must possess the emotional health required to fully utilize intellectual potential and abilities; to exercise good judgment; to meet completion deadlines for all responsibilities required in the academic and/or clinical program; and to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with others. A student must be able to manage physically and mentally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A nutrition student must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical, practicum and research challenges. Compassion, a caring attitude, effective interpersonal skills, professional boundary-setting, emotional maturity and initiative are all qualities that are assessed during the admissions and education processes.