The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science prepares students to apply the science of food and nutrition to promote health and well-being across the lifespan. Students develop a strong foundation in nutrition science while gaining knowledge and skills in health promotion, disease prevention, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, nutrition education and counseling, and evidence-based practice.
Students choose from two concentrations based on their academic and career goals:
Dietetics Concentration: The Dietetics concentration is an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) designed for students pursuing a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Students who successfully complete DPD requirements receive a Verification Statement and are prepared to continue to an accredited graduate and supervised practice program as part of the pathway toward eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination.
Food and Nutrition Concentration: The Food and Nutrition concentration combines nutrition, food science, public health, and social sciences to prepare students to apply nutrition principles in community, wellness, health promotion, food and nutrition programs, and other nutrition-related settings.
The Dick Smith Library supports curricular offerings by providing all students and faculty with resources through monographic and journal collections, media collections, and research databases. The most relevant databases include:
Gale Health & Wellness
Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)
ScienceDirect
Cambridge Core
ProQuest Agriculture Collection
Gale Culinary Arts Collection
Wiley Online Library
Facilities and Equipment
As part of the Division of Health Sciences nutrition faculty and students will collaborate with the School of Nursing to allow access to classrooms with clinical simulation labs and interdisciplinary learning experiences with nursing and other allied health students. The program’s foods lab meets a fundamental facility need and contains six full kitchens featuring a commercial grade refrigerator and freezer.
Apply principles of nutrition science to health and wellness across the lifespan.
Explain relationships among food, nutrients, metabolism, health, and disease.
Evaluate nutrition information using current scientific evidence and evidence-based practices.
Communicate nutrition information effectively to individuals, groups, and communities.
Apply principles of nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Demonstrate professional, ethical, culturally responsive, and collaborative practice.
Use critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to address nutrition-related issues.
Nutrition Science Career Outcomes
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs*
Community and public health programs
Health promotion and wellness programs
Corporate wellness
Foodservice and food industry
Extension and community education
Grocery retail and consumer nutrition
Nonprofit and community organizations
Nutrition education and outreach
Health and wellness organizations
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Clinical nutrition and medical nutrition therapy
Hospitals and outpatient healthcare settings
Specialized nutrition practice
Research
Higher education
Graduate and professional programs
Certification and Licensure Preparation
Earn an accredited bachelor's degree with certification
The Tarleton Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) was developed to meet the growing demand for registered dietitian nutritionists. DPD graduates will receive a verification statement allowing them to apply to an accredited graduate and supervised practice program. Students are also eligible to take the exam to become a dietetic technician registered (DTR)
RDN PathwayInterested in Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?
B.S. in Nutrition Science, Dietetics Concentration
→ DPD Verification Statement
→ Graduate Degree + Required Supervised Practice
→ CDR Credentialing Examination
→ Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
