Dietetics BS
Job prospects are bright for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists—especially those who graduate from UNC’s accredited dietetics bachelor’s degree program. About 75 percent of our students (above the national average) are admitted to postgraduate internships, which are required before you can take the national board examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
You’ll receive exceptional academic and professional advising from the moment you enter the dietetics program at UNC. Each freshman gets paired with a faculty advisor and receives personalized mentoring from enrollment through graduation. The program provides you with a strong science foundation, along with practical training in professional skills such as communication, counseling, education and management.
Degree Options
The only Colorado university that offers both on-campus and online bachelor’s degrees in dietetics, UNC’s dietetics bachelor’s holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
B.S. in Dietetics (on-campus)
UNC faculty lead the dietetics program with extensive experience as classroom instructors, researchers and Registered Dietitian practitioners. You’ll benefit from their attention and guidance in every course, thanks to reasonably sized classes that promote interaction and faculty who care about your success. The program provides you with opportunities to get real-world experience in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other settings.
B.S. in Dietetics (online option)
The Distance Dietetics Program (or DDP) puts our accredited dietetics curriculum into a format that is convenient for working adults, out-of-state students and other nontraditional learners. You’ll take the program’s 15 core dietetics courses online with our outstanding faculty, while earning other required credits at an accredited university near you. This cohort-based program enables you to move through the course sequence with a single group of classmates, fostering strong relationships and camaraderie.
Related Programs
Meet Bryan Snyder
When Bryan Snyder attended classes in dietetics at UNC, he might not have foreseen that within a few years he’d be standing in as a guest lecturer, sharing his knowledge and insight as the Denver Broncos’ Team Nutrition Manager.
After graduating in 2009, Snyder started his work with the Broncos as an intern—an opportunity he learned about in class. A year later he accepted a full-time position with the Broncos, with responsibilities that include dietary supplement evaluations, one-on-one individual consultations, training table menus, meal plans and sideline hydration and nutrition. He returns to UNC once or twice a year as a guest lecturer.
“You can gain all of the nutrition knowledge in the world, but if you don't know how to communicate the message it’s difficult to be an effective dietitian. UNC taught me this, and how to be more effective as a dietitian,” he says. “At UNC, I met kind and compassionate faculty who sincerely care. Class sizes were great, the community of Greeley was great, and campus is phenomenal.”
Your Future in Dietetics
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20 percent increase in the demand for Registered Dietitians over the next seven to 10 years. UNC’s dietetics program equips you to compete successfully for these jobs. You’ll get a well-rounded education that covers a broad range of professional skills, roles and employment settings. Our graduates have an impressive employment record, with above-average rates of internship placement and a 95 percent first-time pass rate on the Registered Dietitian national exam.
Consider UNC's B.S. in Dietetics if you are:
- Interested in science and health
- Looking to become a good communicator, educator or counselor
- Someone who enjoys working with diverse populations, including children, seniors and ethnic minorities
- A team player who collaborates effectively with other science and health professionals
You’ll learn:
- Food safety
- Nutrition and health
- Nutritional requirements of child development
- Nutrition and aging
- Evidence-based practice
- Clinical services
- Public policy related to nutrition and healthy eating
Sample courses:
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition Assessment and Intervention
- Community Nutrition
- Introduction to Foods
Beyond the Classroom
UNC’s large, active Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association (SNDA) connects students with one another and provides student-initiated opportunities to become involved in the local community. The SNDA holds weekly meetings and participates in (or sponsors) events throughout the year, including educational fairs, food drives, school outreach campaigns and more.
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