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Dietetics (B.S.)

The major in Dietetics requires 131 units to graduate, three (3) more than the minimum 128 units required for most majors at PLNU. Students are encouraged to take one or two courses in the summer to lighten their course loads during the regular semester.

Students interested in becoming a Registered Dietician should consult the American Dietetic Association (ADA) for specific information: The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago IL 60606- 6995.

Graduates in the Dietetics major will require further training by applying to an ADA-accredited internship program in order to complete ADA requirements to be a registered dietician (R.D.).

LOWER-DIVISION REQUIREMENTS

COURSE
TITLE
UNITS
FCS 101
Intro to Family & Consumer Sciences
 1
FCS 110
Fundamentals of Food
2
FCS 150
Human Development
3
FCS 225
Fundamentals of Nutrition
3
FCS 230
Personal and Consumer Financial Mgmt.
2
ACC 201
Principles of Financial Accounting
4
BUS 212 Principles of Management 4
MTH 123 Elementary Functions 3
MTH 201
Intro to Statistics
 3
BIO 130
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
4
BIO 140
Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
BIO 210 Cell Biology and Biochemistry 4
BIO 220
Microbiology of Infectious Diseases
5
CHE 151 General Chemistry Tutorial 1
CHE 152 General Chemistry I 4
CHE 153 General Chemistry II 4
CHE 295 Organic Chemistry I 5
PHL 211 Ethics
3
SOC 201 Cultural Anthropology
3

TOTAL
62

UPPER-DIVISION REQUIREMENTS

COURSE
TITLE
UNITS
FCS 300
Food Economics & Management
 2
FCS 303
Cultural Foods
 2
FCS 315
Personal, Family, and Community Health
3
FCS 330
Community Nutrition
3
FCS 331
Community Nutrition Practicum
 1
FCS 335
Nutrition Research Through the Life Cycle
2
FCS 365
Advanced Nutrition
3
FCS 414
Practices in Nutrition Education and Dietary Counseling
 2
FCS 415
Medical Nutrition Therapy

FCS 417
Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum
 1
FCS 435
Food Service Production and Management
3
FCS 455
Food Science

FCS 497
Senior Seminar
2

TOTAL
30

RECOMMENDED COURSES

COURSE
TITLE
UNITS
FCS 305
Life Cycle Nutrition
4
FCS 340
Nutrition of Women’s Well-Being 2
BUS 332 Principles of Marketing 4
KPE 340
Physiology of Exercise
3
MTH 203
Introduction to Statistics
3
 

MAJORING IN DIETETICS

Graduates in the Dietetics major from PLNU will earn a Verification Statement that will allow them to apply to an ADA-accredited dietetic internship program, the second step to becoming a Registered Dietitian (R.D.)

To be verified at PLNU, the student must:
  • Earn a “C” or better in all courses for the Dietetics major required for the DPD
  • Maintain a GPA of 2.800 or higher
  • Earn a B.S. degree (official transcripts, including the one that shows an earned bachelor’s degree, must be in the DPD file)
  • Participate in community service learning activities during the program, as evidenced in the senior portfolio
  • Demonstrate ethical principles and follow ADA’s Code of Ethics

STUDENTS WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY SEEKING A VERIFICATION STATEMENT

If a student has earned a bachelor’s degree from another university, and are seeking a Verification Statement for the dietetics program, the student may choose one of the two following paths:

1) Apply to PLNU for a Dietetics Verification Statement program, with no degree attached (no second bachelor’s degree). This pathway will require:
a. A bachelor’s degree from a college/university in another major
b. Official transcripts reviewed by the Director of Dietetics and admissions
c. A minimum 24 units of upper-division dietetic courses and prerequisites taken at PLNU. (Courses required will be based on previous coursework transferred, and the date that courses where taken)
d. Acceptance to PLNU

2) Apply to PLNU for a second Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics. This pathway will require:

a. Official transcripts reviewed by the Director of Dietetics and admissions
b. Coursework and prerequisites required for the Dietetics major
c. Coursework to meet all general education requirements at PLNU
d. Acceptance to PLNU

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SEEKING A VERIFICATION STATEMENT

If a student is an International Student seeking a Verification Statement in Dietetics from PLNU, the student must apply to the University and submit the following:
a. All documents including high school and college transcripts translated into English and evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service before being sent to the Admissions Office. The student may contact any credential evaluator approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluators (NACES), such as World Education Services, Inc. (WES), Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), and Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE).
b. English proficiency: A 550 paper based TOEFL or 216 computer based TOEFL.
c. An original notarized copy of an Affidavit of Support (financial statement) submitted by a sponsor or bank, indicating sufficient funds for the educational expenses for one academic year at PLNU. *Point Loma Nazarene is a private university: therefore, tuition is the same for U.S. residents and international students.
d. Acceptance to PLNU
e. Take a minimum 24 units of upper-division Dietetics courses and prerequisites at PLNU. (Courses required will be based on previous coursework transferred, and the date that courses where taken.)


To be verified at PLNU, the student must:

  • Earn a “C” or better in all core curriculum DPD classes
  • Maintain a GPA of 2.800 or higher
  • Take at least 24 units of upper-division DPD classes at PLNU
  • Participate in community service learning activities during the program, as evidenced in the senior portfolio
  • Demonstrate ethical principles and follow ADA’s Code of Ethics