Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
The nutrition and dietetics major includes all courses required for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The Simmons University Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606, 312- 899- 0040 ext.5400 (see the Didactic Program in Dietetics section for program goals and outcomes). It should be noted that fulfilling the courses required for the Didactic Program in Dietetics is only one step in the credentialing process for dietetics practitioners. In addition to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, the undergraduate DPD completion must be followed by the successful completion of an accredited supervised practice program (e.g., a dietetic internship program (DIP)) to ensure eligibility to take the RD examination. The application to the DIP is a separate process, and completion of the DPD in no way guarantees acceptance into a DIP. The dietetics internship application process is competitive and not all applicants are accepted. The degree requirement for sitting for the Registered Dietitian registration exam will change from a bachelor’s degree to a graduate degree on January 1, 2024.
Over the past two years about 60-70% of all those applying nationally were accepted into dietetic internships nationally. To plan their schedules appropriately, students should note that the courses in the basic sciences are prerequisite to upper-level work in the department (courses numbered in the 200 and 300 series). Students are expected to meet departmental criteria regarding academic performance, grades, health status, and professional behavior. Students must formally apply for this major. Details on the application process and criteria for acceptance into the Nutrition and Dietetics major, are provided in the Department of Nutrition Student Guide.
Science Requirements
All dietetics majors must complete the following science requirements:
Nutrition Requirements:
Students must complete the following nutrition requirements.
These requirements also fulfill the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements:
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | OR | |
| NUTR 111 | Fundamentals of Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | | |
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 237 | The Practice of Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 248 | Food Production and Service Systems | 4 |
| NUTR 249 | Leadership in Food Service Management | 4 |
| NUTR 311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 6 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Practice in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 301 | Dietetics Profession | 1 |
There are two required social science courses; at least one of these should be in sociology or psychology.
Capstone course(s) or Independent Learning for the Nutrition and Dietetics Majors
For those students entering as freshman the fall, 2015 or later, there are two Capstone courses that are required under the PLAN: these are Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381 and Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390). For those students entering as freshman prior to the fall 2015 semester, the All College independent learning requirement is met by these same two courses: Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381), and Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390).
Suggested Course Sequence for Dietetics Major
First Year
Fall
| | Boston Course | |
| | Simmons Course-Explore | |
| CHEM 111 | Introduction to Chemistry: Inorganic | 4 |
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| | Language Requirement | |
Spring
| CHEM 112 | Introduction to Chemistry: Organic | 4 |
| | Leadership Course | |
| | Language requirement or Elective or All College Requirement (Mode or PLAN) | |
Second Year
Fall
| BIOL 113 | General Biology | 4 |
| NUTR 248 | Food Production and Service Systems | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychological Science | 4 |
| | Elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Spring
NUTR 237, PSYC 232: Please note these comprise a learning community and must be taken together.
*Biology or chemistry can be taken freshman and sophomore year; sometimes taking chemistry freshman year and biology sophomore year gives students more flexibility later.
Third Year
Fall
| BIOL 231 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 4 |
| | Two electives or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Spring
Fourth Year
Fall
| NUTR 311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| | Elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
| NUTR 301 | Dietetics Profession | 1 |
Spring
| NUTR 334 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 6 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Practice in Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 331 | The Practice of Clinical Dietetics | 4 |
| | One elective or All College Requirements (Modes or PLAN) | |
Dietetic Internship
The department of nutrition offers two accredited dietetic internship options to prepare baccalaureate nutrition graduates for entry-level dietetic practice and eligibility for the registration examination.
Track 1) Stand-alone dietetic internship program: This track is comprised of 8 months of supervised practice that meets the ACEND requirements for a stand-alone dietetic internship. The emphasis of the program is on community dietetics practice health promotion and wellness. Admission to the nutrition and dietetics program/ certificate does not guarantee admission to a dietetic internship. Please go to the Simmons University website for further details.
Track 2) Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program: This track includes both the supervised practice hours and experiences that meet ACEND’s requirements for dietetic internship and also includes the academic coursework to earn a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion.
Students may choose either concentration with the Master’s program: wellness or entrepreneurship. To complete this program and earn a verification statement, all requirements must be met for the supervised practice portion and the academic requirements to earn the MS degree.
Dietetic Internship concentrations: The Simmons University dietetic internship program has two ACEND recognized concentrations. The first is in community nutrition, wellness and health promotion and focuses on providing nutrition intervention in community settings. This is the concentration that all interns will automatically be enrolled in, unless the intern applies and is accepted into the second concentration in Eating Disorder Treatment. The concentration in Eating Disorder Treatment was approved as a second option in 2017. This concentration trains interns to enter the field as a specialist in eating disorder treatment. To complete this concentration, an intern must apply and be accepted into the program. Once accepted into the concentration, the intern must complete NUTR 420 with a grade of B or better, and complete 12 weeks of supervised practice in various settings of supervised practice that specialize in eating disorder treatment.
Certificate of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) fulfills one of the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian. The courses required for this program can be completed within the context of the Simmons University curriculum either as a part of a bachelor’s degree or in addition to an already completed bachelor’s degree through the DPD Certificate.