Nutrition and Foods

Major: Nutrition and Foods
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 182.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 30.1901
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1031

About the Program

The Nutrition and Foods curriculum emphasizes the relationship between food, food choices, nutrient metabolism, and preventive and therapeutic nutrition to meet the health and nutrient needs of individuals and groups. The BS in Nutrition and Foods requires four years of study and the completion of at least 182.0 credits. The curriculum is designed to provide a sound basis for careers in many areas of food, nutrition, and dietetics including wellness and disease prevention, the food industry, foodservice, and clinical practice. The study of the biochemical nature of nutrients and foods, their interaction with the environment, and their eventual metabolic fate is a strong career path for more research-minded students or those going on to graduate school in the health professions. 

Accreditation

The Department of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University currently has two programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at both the bachelor's and the master's degree levels, and a Future Graduate (FG) Education Model program at the master's degree level. See "Paths to Becoming a Registered Dietitian" below for more information about the options for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). 

To meet the changing requirements for entry to the profession of dietetics at the master's degree level, Drexel's bachelor's level DPD program will end in September 2023. Therefore, students entering the program in 2021 need to complete an FG program or a master's level DPD and dietetic internship before being eligible to sit for the registration exam. Drexel BS in Nutrition and Foods students who meet minimum GPA requirements are eligible to continue into the department's BS to MS Bridge program, earning both the BS and MS degrees and meeting eligibility to sit for the RDN exam in just five years. Applicants may apply into the Bridge when they complete their application for admission to the BS or may opt to enroll in the Bridge at the end of their second year in the BS. Alternatively, students may apply into the MS in Human Nutrition Plus Partner Dietetic Internship during their final year in the BS. This program allows students to complete an MS in one year at Drexel, followed by a dietetic internship at a partner program. 

Paths to Becoming a Registered Dietitian

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, most of whom are RD/RDNs (Note that the "RD" and "RDN" credential are the same credential). The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics included the "RDN" to reflect that "all registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians." In addition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that adding the word "nutritionist" to the RD credential allows for a broader notion of wellness. Students entering higher education in 2021 to become an RD/RDN can follow one of the following pathways:

Didactic Program in Dietetics and Accredited Dietetic Internship:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree with coursework approved by ACEND. Coursework typically includes nutrition and food sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, community nutrition, nutrition counseling, basic and quantity food preparation, food service systems management, and medical nutrition therapy. NOTE: As of January 1, 2024, the minimum of a master's degree will be required to sit for the RDN exam.
• An accredited, supervised practice program, also called a dietetic internship (DI) or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (IPP), at healthcare facilities, community agencies, and in food service operations. The internship must provide a minimum of 1200 hours of hands-on training.
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

OR

Future Graduate Model:

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline including coursework in the following areas as prerequisites to a graduate degree in nutrition: nutrition, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, biology, psychology, and statistics
• Graduate-level program that integrates experiential learning with coursework in the classroom including nutrition and food sciences, community nutrition, nutrition through the life cycle, food service systems management, and medical nutrition therapy
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL  60606
800-877-1600 x5400
www.eatright.org

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College's Nutrition Sciences webpage.

Admission/Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements

Drexel takes into consideration a number of criteria when determining admission including the applicant's application, transcripts, courses in progress, two letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, essay, and special interests (list of extracurricular activities, employment, etc.). Applicants to the Nutrition and Foods program must have completed three years of high school mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry) and two years of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics). Applicants should have a strong interest in, and aptitude for, the basic sciences that are required in the program.

To be considered as a transfer student, candidates should have completed a minimum of 24.0 college credits. Drexel operates on a rolling admission basis, which means that students will be notified about the admission decision as soon as possible after their files are complete.

Visit the Admissions website for more information and to apply online.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a BS in Nutrition and Foods, students in the program must complete a plan of study of all required courses and enough elective courses to total at least 180.0 credits. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher for all coursework undertaken at Drexel University must be earned to receive a BS.  A “C” or better is required in all courses in the Didactic Program in Dietetics to receive a Verification Statement.

For the current academic calendar, visit Drexel University Academic Calendars.

Degree Requirements 

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Students on a non co-op plan of study will take 37 Free electives. Students on 4-year co-op plan of study will take 36 Free electives and COOP 101.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study 

4 year, no co-op

4 year, one co-op

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Career Opportunities

Possible career opportunities in dietetics include the following:

• Clinical Dietitians are specialists in medical nutrition therapy in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. They assess patient nutrition, develop dietary plans, provide patient counseling, and monitor patient progress.
• Community Dietitians work in public health agencies, health and fitness clubs, Women, Infants, and Children, and non-profit organizations with a focus on nutrition. They counsel people on food choices and direct programs in nutrition awareness and disease prevention.
• Sports Dietitians work with professional sports teams, Olympic and/or university and college teams. They provide team and individual nutrition counseling, establish fueling stations, work with food service industry during travel, etc.
• Management Dietitians specialize in clinical management or food service systems. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, school food service, cafeterias, restaurants, the airline industry, etc. They manage personnel, plan and conduct employee training programs, design food systems, and plan budgets.
• Business Dietitians work in the food industry in product development and marketing, public relations, food styling, and menu design.
• Consultant Dietitians are independent business people who work as consultants to sports teams, nursing homes, corporations, etc.

Facilities

The Center for Nutrition & Performance, located in the Daskalakis Athletic Center, provides a variety of nutrition services to the Drexel community, including workshops, lectures, support for athletic teams, and individual counseling. An employee weight loss program is available through the Center for Nutrition & Performance. The Center for Nutrition & Performance also works with some professional teams as well as internationally.

Nutrition and Foods Faculty

Emeritus Faculty