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Undergraduate Program

Dietetics (B.S.)

Dietetics is the science of applying food and nutrition to health. A vital, growing field, dietetics offers numerous career opportunities in clinical and community settings, in private practice, in business and industry, in sports, in health care, education, foodservice, and research. For details, please see the Dietetics Redbook (PDF).

Introduction

The Dietetics Program in Indiana University's Department of Applied Health Science prepares students to become Registered Dietitians (R.D.). In 2000, all of our graduates who applied were accepted into the competitive internship programs required for certification as an R.D. Focused on dietary inter­vention, health promotion, and disease prevention, the course work includes science courses such as chemistry, biology, and anatomy; social science courses such as psychology and sociology; and practical courses that prepare you for tasks such as planning the best diet for a diabetic child.

Solid Preparation and Strong Ties

The Dietetics Program offers you the experience, skills, and support you need to be successful in the field.

• Our program is developmentally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
• We have well-equipped food and nutrition labs for active learning.
• The student-run Dietetics and Nutrition Club provides nutrition science and dietetics majors with volunteer opportunities and leadership skills, allowing them to grow academically and professionally.
• Over the past 10 years, 93 percent of our graduates have passed the Registered Dietitian Exam on their first try.
• All 17 out of 17 of dietetics students who graduated in 2002 were placed in dietetics internships.
• All graduates found employment within six months after completing their internship.

Degree Requirements

Tab sheet for major (PDF)

Students must complete 26 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be admitted to the Dietetics Program. A minimum of 124 credit hours is required to complete this program. A minor in dietetics/nutrition, recognized by the College of Arts and Sciences, is also available.

To earn the Registered Dietitian (R.D.) credential, a student must:

• complete a bachelor's degree at a CADE-accredited U.S. university or college
• complete a CADE-accredited or -approved internship at a health care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation. Internships are typically 6 to 12 months in length.
• pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Once an R.D., you'll complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain your credentials.

Preparing for the Internship:

During the senior year, dietetics students participate in a national internship matching system. Internships after graduation are highly competitive. Students who receive internships often have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, either paid or volunteer work experi­ence, and above-average grades in science courses.

Sample schedule for students in the Dietetics Program, junior year:

 

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8-9:15 a.m.		Psychology of		Psychology of
		Learning		Learning
9:30-10:45 a.m.		Basic Human		Basic Human
		Physiology		Physiology
10:10-11 a,m.	Statistical		Statistical		Statistical
	Techniques		Techniques		Techniques
11:15 a.m.-		Basic Human
1 p.m.		Physiology
		Laboratory
3:35-4:25 p.m.	Microorganisms		Microorganisms	Basic Human	Microorganisms
	in Nature &		in Nature &	Physiology	in Nature &
	Disease		Disease	Laboratory	Disease
5:30-8:15 p.m.		Community		(until 5:20)
		Nutrition

Job Outlook

With the public's increasing interest in disease prevention and nutrition - combined with a growing and aging population - the job outlook for registered dietitians is good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is expected to grow 21 to 35 percent by 2008, faster than the average of all health related occupations. However, because of changes in the health care industry, employment growth in hospitals is expected to be sluggish. The best prospects are in public health and extended care. Wellness, corporate health, and journalism also offer career alternatives.

According to the American Dietetic Association, starting salaries for entry-level registered dietitians are $25,000 - $35,000. As with any profession, salaries vary by geographic region, employment setting, and job responsibilities. Registered dietitians - particularly those in private practice, business, and consulting ­ can earn more than $50,000.

Registered dietitians work in a variety of fields, educating their clients on the connection between food, fitness, and health. From hospitals to corporate wellness programs, an R.D. might:

• administer medical nutrition therapy as part of a health care team
• manage foodservice operations in hospitals, health care facilities, or schools
• work in public relations, product development, or marketing
• counsel athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees on stress management and wellness
• conduct research at food or pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals
• educate the public on environmental health concerns and alternative therapies

Have A Chat

"I chose the Dietetics Program at Indiana University because I wanted a career where I could interact with people every day. I want to do something that could benefit a person. I've learned a lot about eating habits, diet, and nutrition, and I can use what I've learned to help people become healthier. I want to make people stronger by educating them."

- Laura Thompson, B.S. '01,
former president of the Indiana University Dietetics and Nutrition Club

"I recently accepted a new position at Procter & Gamble - managing women's health programs and initiatives specific to pharmaceuticals. I even get to oversee the process and provide input on a newsletter for women age 45 to 60 plus. I absolutely love my new job - it's really amazing what doors have been opened thanks to my educational background and internship experience. "

- Tessa Foley, R.D. '96,
manager of the Women's Health Project
at the Healthcare Consumer Institute of Procter & Gamble

"I keep in touch with many of my professors from the Dietetics Program. They're great people - nice, knowledgeable, and supportive ­ who want to help you. And in small classes with maybe 20 to 30 people, you get to know them, you get to interact with professionals in the field. When you're at a big university, that really helps."

- Amy Harley, R, D., B.S. '95, M.PH. '99,
doctoral student at the Ohio State University

Faculty

Alyce Fly, Ph. D

Victoria Getty, M. Ed., R.D., Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics

Alice Lindeman, Ph. D., R.D.

Nathan Shier, Ph. D.

Contact Us

For more information about this program or the Department of Applied Health Science, please contact:

Department of Applied Health Science
Indiana University
HPER Building 116
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Telephone: (812) 855-3627
E-mail: ahsinfo 

or

Dr. Kathleen Gilbert
Undergraduate Coordinator
Telephone: (812) 855-5209
E-mail: gilbertk 

If you want to know more about becoming an R.D. or about issues in the field, see the web sites below. In addition to giving a broad perspective of dietetics, these organizations post information about career opportunities, public policy, professional conferences, and recent research.

• American Dietetic Association
• Indiana University Dietetics and Nutrition Club
• Institute for Food Technologists
• Society for Nutrition Education

For information about the dietetics major and career options, visit: http://www.indiana.edu/~udiv/majors/majorinfo.cgi/60