Health and Nutrition Sciences, B.S.

Foods and Nutrition

Students who complete this track will meet the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The program meets the standards set by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and provides the core knowledge requirements necessary for pre-professional practice.

The DPD consists of 24 courses/70 credits and is designed for those who have an interest in the food, nutrition, and dietetics field and want to continue on the path to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program provides a foundation in the physical, biological, and social sciences and provides a strong curriculum in metabolism, clinical and community nutrition, healthcare policy, and food management. Students completing the program will also be prepared for other nutrition and food-management related careers and will be able to sit for the Diet Technician (DTR) exam.

For complete program information, including course listings and program policies, refer to the Undergraduate Nutrition Handbook (PDF). The handbook includes information regarding the requirements and process to become an RDN, requirements for graduation and program completion, curriculum, and policies and procedures.

Application and Admission Requirements

Students can apply to the Foods and Nutrition program through the Brooklyn College application. The major is listed as Health and Nutrition Sciences.  Once you are a Brooklyn College student, you will declare the health and nutrition sciences major—foods and nutrition track. The DPD follows the BC Academic Calendar. For program cost, see Tuition and Fees and the handbook for program-specific fees.

For additional questions, e-mail the program director, Susan Jakuboski.

Program Mission

The mission of the didactic program in dietetics is to prepare graduates for graduate school/supervised practice, which leads to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists by providing a strong foundation in science, a critical perspective on foods and nutrition, and a cultural appreciation for diverse populations.

Goals and Objectives

Goal #1—To prepare graduates with a solid foundation in science and the critical thinking skills to successfully enter a dietetic internship or graduate school in the field of health and nutrition.

• At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
• 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• 40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of DPD graduates will rate the program three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better) in providing a solid foundation in science and critical perspective on foods and nutrition.
• 20% of graduates who do not apply to a supervised practice program or do not get accepted to a supervised practice program will be enrolled in a graduate program in health or nutrition.

Goal #2—To foster students’ appreciation for diversity and prepare graduates to work in culturally diverse communities.

• At least 80% of Dietetic Internship directors will rate program graduates’ preparedness to work with culturally diverse populations three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better).
• At least 80% of graduates will rate the development of their respect for the diversity of Brooklyn three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better).
• At least 80% of Dietetic Internship directors will rate program graduates’ overall preparedness to successfully complete a supervised practice program three or higher on a five-point scale (“satisfactory” or better).

Note: Program outcomes data showing the degree to which objectives were met are available upon request.

Accreditation Status

The Brooklyn College DPD is accredited by ACEND the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the “Academy”), 120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, P: 312.899.4874

Steps to Becoming an RDN

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program). A graduate degree is required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration. (Dietetic registration exam.)
2. Completing an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s dietetic registration exam.
4. Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
5. Maintain continuing education.

Program Courses

Biology 1010 or Biology 1001 and 1002

Health and Nutrition Sciences 2300 and 2301

All of the following: Health and Nutrition Sciences 2210, 2220, 2221, 2222W, 2223, 2240, 3210, 3230, 3250, 3255, 3270, 4213, 4230, 4240, 4241, 4300, 5250

Chemistry 1040; or both 1100 and 2100; or 1050, 2050, and 2100. Students considering health professions schools (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physical therapy), will likely need Chemistry 1100 and 2100. In some cases, students may be specifically advised to take Chemistry 1050, 2050, and 2100. Check with the Pre-Health Professions adviser.

Chemistry 2500; or both 3510 and 3520; or all of the following courses: CHEM 3511, 3512, 3521, and 3522. Students considering health professions schools (e.g., medicine, dentistry, physical therapy), will likely need to take Chemistry 3511, 3512, 3521 and 3522. Check with the Pre-Health Professions adviser.