Nutritional Science, Dietetics Concentration, BS

The Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science with a concentration in Dietetics. This Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides students with the competencies, knowledge and skills required of the dietetics professional for practice roles of today and the future. The program helps students to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving ability in clinical and community nutrition and food service management. The Dietetics curriculum includes support courses from the social, physical, and life sciences. Students have the option to select elective courses outside the major and/or to complete minors in business, chemistry, education, gerontology, health science, human performance, journalism, or other areas. In addition, with the appropriate coursework, students are also prepared for advanced degrees (M.S.) and post baccalaureate education (Dietetic Internships). The dietetics concentration is appropriate for students who would like to become practicing nutritionists or dietitians.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) transmits knowledge and skills at the undergraduate level that are needed for competent dietetics practice to improve the quality of life in diverse communities. The SJSU DPD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 800-877-1600, ext. 5400). On August 7, 2020, the program was reaccredited and received full accreditation for 8 years until December 31, 2028.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 15 (13 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 3 (6 units may be satisfied with major coursework)

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 0 (3 units satisfied by NUFS 100W)

Major Preparation: 22

Major Requirements: 72

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (22 units)

BIOL 66 - Human Physiology 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5B and 5C / Formerly Area B2 and B3)
CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s)
(GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
CHEM 30B - Introductory Chemistry 3 unit(s) (Students may substitute CHEM 8 for CHEM 30B)
NUFS 100W - Writing Workshop 3 unit(s) (WID)
PSYC 1 - Introduction to Psychology 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4/ Formerly Area D)

Complete one course:

STAT 95 - Elementary Statistics 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
PH 67 - Introductory Health Statistics 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4) (UNVS 15 may be used in lieu of the statistics course required by this major.)