FCS

Dietetics

Advisory Board

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The program seeks to provide students with a broad perspective of the dietetics profession, with a solid foundation of knowledge required for the practice of dietetics and with the opportunity to begin to develop professional skills. Dietetics is an applied field based on the foundation of life and social sciences. It is a continuously evolving, broad area of practice that includes clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service management. Professional skills including writing, interpersonal communication, counseling and problem solving are essential, along with knowledge of marketing, technology, research, and business.

Undergraduate admissions
Dietetics Major Program Guide
Student and professional organizations

Program goals and objectives: making food

The program will allow students to meet or exceed the competencies defined for didactic component of entry-level dietitian education programs.
Graduates will acquire knowledge and develop skills essential for success in post-graduate internships and first professional employment
The program will provide opportunities for students to engage in course embedded and voluntary service learning activities to begin developing professional skills that will prepare them for post-graduate internships and first professional employment.
Through encouragement and support, program faculty and staff will increase the percentage of students who complete their dietetics program of study.

Intern program: The dietetics internship is a 10-month generalist program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education and that meets the Standards of Education of the American Dietetic Association. Graduates are qualified to take the Dietetic Registration Examination. Students earn 15 hours of graduate credit during the program.

Outside the classroom

Students will complete a 10-month internship.

Career possibilities

Hospitals, HMOs, or other health care facilities educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team. Registered dieticians may also manage the food service operations in these settings, as well as in schools, day-care centers and correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs educating clients about the connection between food, fitness and health.
Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development.
Private practice working under contract with health care or food companies, or in their own business. Registered dietitians may provide services to food service or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
Community and public health settings teaching, monitoring and advising the public and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
Universities and medical centers teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students and others the sophisticated science of foods and nutrition.
Research areas in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities and hospitals, directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

Advanced degrees

Western Michigan University also offers a Master of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in dietetics.

Resource Guide

Dietetics resources for career guidance and exploration

Current student information

Internship application procedures
Didactic Handbook
Recommendation and waiver forms
U.S. dietetics internship programs

Commission on Dietetic Registration
American Dietetic Association