Nutrition and Dietetics, BS

Program Coordinators:

Didactic Program in Dietetics Concentration: Kate Willson (2435-E Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6042; willsonka@ecu.edu)
Prehealth Concentration: Michael Wheeler (2435-F Health Science Building; 252-744-1027; wheelerm@ecu.edu)

Nutrition is an integrative discipline that involves chemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology, medicine, behavior science and other disciplines. In addition to preparing graduates to become registered, licensed dietitians, nutrition science is a great pre-professional major for careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and the allied health professions.

The Nutrition and Dietetics, BS program has two concentrations: the didactic program in dietetics concentration and the prehealth professions concentration. Both concentrations are primarily on-campus, face-to-face programs that provide many opportunities for students throughout their course of study.

The degree requires 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

2. Core - 14 s.h.

3. Cognates - 21-26 s.h.

4. Concentrations - 33-41 s.h.

Didactic program in dietetics concentration (41 s.h.)

The dietetics program (DP) in dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Admission requires a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and a submitted application after all prerequisites have been completed. The application can be found on the Department of Nutrition Science website. Students in the DP must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Graduates of the DP will be eligible to apply for a supervised practice/dietetic internship. Completion of the DP does not guarantee admission into a supervised practice/dietetic internship. Students who complete this concentration and a supervised practice/dietetic internship can take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians and become a registered dietitian.

Prehealth professions concentration (33 s.h.)

This concentration allows flexibility to support a variety of professional goals and is well suited for pre-professional programs in occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. Students should consider minors in areas that complement their career goals. Suggested minors include public health, business, psychology, exercise science, or health promotion. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required for admission to the prehealth professions concentration. A student earning less than a 2.5 cumulative GPA must petition the Department of Nutrition Science for probationary continuation.