Nutrition and Dietetics Program
Dietitians are nutrition experts who apply the science of food and nutrition to settings in medicine, community health, wellness, and food service operations. The WMU programs in Nutrition and Dietetics prepare students who desire to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or nutrition and dietitian technician registered (DTR). Both WMU programs are recognized by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Note that effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Program descriptions
Undergraduate program
The nutrition and dietetics major equips students with the foundational knowledge needed for a career in the field of dietetics. The program meets the academic requirements of the didactic program in dietetics and is accredited by ACEND, the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Transfer students
The WMU undergraduate program in dietetics accepts transfer students from other undergraduate programs. It also works with those who already possess a bachelor's degree in another major who desire to become a RDN but who lack the required prerequisites. Individual advising about transferable coursework is available.
Graduate internship program
This 40-week full-time program accredited by ACEND provides supervised practice for those planning to become RDNs. WMU's application process participate in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS). Applicants must have a Verification of Completion statement from an accredited undergraduate program, such as WMU's upon entering the program.
Graduate program (M.S.)
The M.S. in nutrition and dietetics is designed for current graduate dietetic interns preparing to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) as well as individuals who are already an RDN and desiring a master’s degree that complements existing professional skills. RDNs work in a variety of healthcare, community, food service management, industry and research positions where an understanding of nutritional science and the ability to explain it to the public and specific populations are required.
Career opportunities
Typical careers of recent graduates include:
- working with individuals with various medical conditions, including co-morbidities related to high risk factors of COVID-19;
- counseling those who want to improve their overall health;
- work in school and university food service and nutrition, in maternal, infant, and child nutrition, and in elder nutrition settings;
- food industry and food service management positions.
Faculty
(from left to right)