Undergraduate Academic Programs

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science (B.S.A.H.S.), Dietetics Major

Description of Program

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science, Dietetics, degree is an ACEND-accredited four-year undergraduate program that prepares students for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). A dietetics education is a broad, useful course of study aimed at promoting the health of individuals and communities. The curriculum involves nutrition science (including chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and food science), medical nutrition therapy, food preparation, menu planning, communication, information technology, and management. Students who earn a B.S. in AHS, Dietetics, are eligible to apply to graduate school in the journey to become RDNs. During the junior year, dietetics majors may choose to pursue the Accelerated Master’s Pathway in Dietetics to earn both BS and MS degrees from IU in five years instead of the usual six years.

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is the credentialed professional in the field of dietetics. There are multiple steps to becoming an RDN:

  1. Obtain the minimum of a master’s degree.
  2. Fulfill dietetics educational requirements established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). These requirements can be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level of study.
  3. Complete a supervised practice experience through an ACEND-accredited institution.
  4. Take and pass the national RD exam.

Note: While degrees earned may be in any field of study, dietetics coursework and supervised practice must be completed through an ACEND-accredited institution. 

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science degree with a major in Dietetics. 

Graduation requirements include:

  • completion of general education requirements;
  • completion of dietetics major requirements;
  • a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours that count toward the degree program;
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA;
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses used to complete the portions of this degree entitled: Dietetics Core and Additional Major Courses;
  • No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20–39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington General Education Common Ground Requirements.

Major (94 cr.)

Admission Requirements (5 cr.)
Admission to the Dietetics major requires a 3.0 Indiana University cumulative GPA.
A minimum grade of C is required in each course.
Complete each of the following courses:

A minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for the Admission Requirements, Dietetics Core, and Additional Major Courses.

  • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.) +N&M
  • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory (2 cr.) +N&M

Dietetics Core (53 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each Dietetics Core course.
A minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for the Admission Requirements, Dietetics Core, and Additional Major Courses.
Complete each of the following courses:

  • SPH-N 120 Introduction to Foods (3 cr.) (P: Dietetics or Nutrition Science major)
  • SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) +N&M (R: CHEM-C 101 -or- equivalent course -and- a course in Biology)
  • SPH-N 301 Methods of Nutritional Assessment (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 231)
  • SPH-N 320 Food Chemistry (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 120 -and- CHEM-C 117; R: CHEM-R 340 -or- CHEM-C 341)
  • SPH-N 321 Quantity Food Purchasing and Production (4 cr.) (P: SPH-N 120 -and- Dietetics major -and- senior standing -or- permission of instructor)
  • SPH-N 322 Management Systems in Dietetics (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 321 -and- Dietetics major)
  • SPH-N 325 Food Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr.) (R or C: SPH-N 320)
  • SPH-N 331 Life Cycle Nutrition (3 cr.) (R: SPH-N 220 -or- N 231)
  • SPH-N 336 Public Health Nutrition (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 231)
  • SPH-N 401 Issues in Dietetics (1 cr.) (P: Dietetics major -and- senior standing)
  • SPH-N 416 Nutrition Counseling and Education (3 cr.) (P: Dietetics major -and- SPH-N 431)
  • SPH-N 430 Advanced Nutrition I (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 231 -and- CHEM-C 341 -or- CHEM-R 340)
  • SPH-N 431 Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 231 -and- ANAT-A 225 -and- PHSL-P 225; P or C: CLAS-C 209)
  • SPH-N 432 Advanced Nutrition II (3 cr.) (P: SPH-N 430)
  • SPH-N 433 Medical Nutrition Therapy Application (3 cr.) (P: Dietetics major; P or C: SPH-N 431)
  • SPH-N 480 Mech of Nutrient Action (3 cr.) (P: senior standing)
  • SPH-H 351 Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 494 Research and Evaluation Methods in Health and Safety (3 cr.)

Additional Major Courses (36 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each Additional Major course.
A minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for the Admission Requirements, Dietetics Core, and Additional Major Courses.
Complete each of the following courses:

  • ANAT-A 225 Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
  • BIOL-M 200 Microorganisms in Nature and Disease (3 cr.) (P: MSCI-M 115 -or- PHSL-P 225 -or- a college course in biology or chemistry)
  • CHEM-R 340 Survey of Organic Chemistry (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lecture I (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek & Latin (2 cr.)
  • COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3 cr.)
  • PHSL-P 225 Human Physiology (5 cr.) +N&M
  • PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.) +N&M
  • PSY-P 325 Psychology of Learning (3 cr.) -or- PSY-P 335 Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.) -or- EDUC-P 254 Educational Psychology for Teachers of All Grades (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 150 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 360 Writing in Public Health (3 cr.) -or- ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
  • SPH-Q 381 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr.) -or- MATH-K 300 Statistical Techniques for Health Professions (3 cr.) -or- PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)

Additional Electives (if needed)
These courses are approved electives (if needed) to get to the required 120 credits for graduation.

  • SPH-N 305 Sports Nutrition (3 cr.) (R: SPH-N231 -or- N220)
  • BIOL-L 112 Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.) +N&M
  • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.) (P: BIOL-L 112)
  • BIOL-L 311 Genetics (3 cr.) (P: BIOL-L 211)
  • BIOL-L 331 Introduction to Human Genetics (3 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2 (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.) (P: CHEM-C 341, CHEM-J 341, CHEM-S 341, -or- CHEM-R 340 with a grade of C- or higher)
  • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) (P: CHEM-C 342, CHEM-J 342, CHEM-S 342 -or- CHEM-R 340)
  • PHSL-P 214 Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) +N&M
  • SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.)
  • SPH-K 409 Basic Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.) (P: (ANAT-A 225 -or- SPH-K 205 -and- PHSL-P 225)

+ Courses followed by an N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

+ Courses followed by an S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Suggested Dietetics Courses for the First-Year Student

Fall Semester

  • ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.) +N&M
  • IUB General Education A&H -or- IUB General Education World Languages and Cultures (3 cr.)
  • SPH-N 120 Introduction to Foods (3 cr.)
  • Choose one of the following:
    • Option 1
      • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.)  +N&M
      • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory (2 cr.) +N&M
    • Option 2
      • CHEM-C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles (5 cr.)+N&M
    • Option 3
      • IUB General Education Math Modeling (3 cr.)

 Spring Semester

  • CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (2 cr.)
  • PSY-P 102 Introductory Psychology 2 (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-B 150 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.) +S&H
  • IUB General Education A&H -or- IUB General Education World Languages and Cultures (3 cr.)
  • Choose one of the following:
    • Option 1
      • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.) +N&M
      • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory (2 cr.) +N&M
    • Option 2
      • CHEM-C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles (5 cr.)+N&M
    • Option 3
      • IUB General Education Math Modeling (3 cr.)
Special Opportunities

Accelerated Pathway in Dietetics:  The Accelerated Master’s Pathway combines the ACEND-accredited four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science, Dietetics, degree with a two-year Master of Science in Applied Health Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, degree. The result is a pathway that enables students to complete a B.S. and an M.S. degree in five years instead of the usual six years.  Dietetics majors should have at least a 3.2 GPA as of the spring of their junior year to apply.

Experiential and Service Learning: Courses cover a wide range of dietetics topics to forge a curriculum that enables the students to fulfill knowledge requirements established by ACEND. Experiential and service-learning activities include food and food chemistry labs; nutrition counseling case studies and role play; planning and preparing special event meals; designing a research project; and running a cooking class for at-risk youth.

Faculty and Facilities: The diverse nutrition faculty provide a wide range of expertise in teaching and research. The program's location in the School of Public Health-Bloomington allows students and faculty to focus beyond nutrition to the areas of fitness, health, epidemiology, and environmental health. Facilities include teaching and research labs, technology-rich classrooms, recreational facilities, and outdoor spaces on a beautiful campus. Consistent volunteer and work opportunities exist on campus with IU Athletics and IU Dining and at off-campus sites such as the local Boys and Girls Clubs, the Bloomington Community Orchard, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and the Campus Farm.

Interprofessional Education: The program is an active participant in Interprofessional Education (IPE) developed and implemented by the Indiana University Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. IPE events are incorporated into multiple core dietetics courses.

Student Leadership: The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at IU (SANDIU) provides opportunities for student leadership and encourages seniors to mentor sophomores and juniors. SANDIU provides numerous opportunities for community nutrition outreach.

Outcomes: The SPH-B Dietetics program has strong outcomes, with a 92% placement rate of alums into supervised practice programs and >95% one-year passage rate on the national RD exam since the year 2000.

Careers

RDNs may work in clinical settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, nutrition clinics, or private practice; serve on a health care team; or work one-on-one with people in the treatment and prevention of disease. Community-based RDNs counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and promote health. Management RDNs often oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in health care facilities, schools, universities, restaurant chains, or private industry. A growing number of RDNs work in business, journalism, marketing, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness programs. Dietitians who enjoy research may prefer the food industry, where they can research and develop food products, services, or educational programs; or in major medical centers where clinical research is conducted. With advanced degrees, dietitians may pursue careers in dietetics education.

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