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Dietetics

The dietetics program at BGSU is a 4-year didactic program, otherwise known as a DPD, which leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics. Successful completion of the program is the first step to becoming a registered dietitian. Following completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics, graduates must apply for and complete an accredited dietetics internship and pass the national registration examination to become a registered dietitian.

Quality classroom experiences

Laboratory experiences are an integral part of the dietetics major. A new 14-unit food preparation laboratory and a new chemistry lab for physical and chemical analysis of foods are located in the Health and Human Services building. Students also have the opportunity to use various software for nutritional analysis, menu planning and food service management.

Opportunities are available for students to conduct research with food and nutrition faculty, as well as with faculty in related disciplines such as biology, chemistry, exercise science and public health at BGSU. Students also interact with professionals in the field working in community/public/clinical nutrition and the food industry.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Experimental Foods
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Food and Culture
  • Nutritional Assessment

Curriculum

The curriculum meets the knowledge, skills and competencies for entry-level dietitian education programs and will result in a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Dietetics. Following completion of the degree, students need to apply and get accepted into an accredited dietetics internship. Upon completion of an internship and the successful completion of the national registration examination, you will be a registered dietitian, eligible for licensure in most states.

If you pursue this major, you will take courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, nutrition and food science, as well as classes that will focus on developing your management and communication skills. Your course work will include supervised hands-on experiences.

Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 

Internships and Careers

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain paid and/or volunteer experience in the food and nutrition field. Students often complete service at the Wood Haven Health Care, Wood County Hospital, Wood County Public Health Department, the Wood County Senior Center and other regional healthcare facilities. Students have also interacted with community agencies through partnership grants awarded to faculty.

Average Starting Salary & BGSU Placement Rate

$34,665* — BGSU Dietetics graduates average starting salary according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers

(BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

GO FAR in your career

  • Clinical Dietetics
  • Food and Nutrition Management
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Consultant/Private Practice
dietetics

Students have the opportunity to interact and conduct research with food and nutrition faculty and professionals in related disciplines

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Dietetics are expected to be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of biological, chemical and physical science concepts and apply these concepts to food and nutrition science.
  • Evaluate food and nutrition science problems using critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Formulate effective oral and written communications pertinent to food, nutrition, and clinical dietetics.
  • Demonstrate competency using a variety of techniques and instruments to investigate food and nutrition science problems.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate nutrition interventions and programs for individuals as well as groups using nutritional assessment and diagnosis techniques.
Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Dietetics program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is in good standing.

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Dietetics program leads to professional licensure.

More information on professional licensure

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Dietetics program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.



* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 03/04/2021 03:54PM