BS in Nutrition (Dietetics)

Prepare for a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a Texas Woman’s BS in Nutrition emphasis Dietetics degree.

Program features

a TWU student in white cooking uniform pours water into bowl in an industrial kitchen setting
  • Prepares students for a career as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) in areas such as sports nutrition, clinical nutrition, community nutrition, corporate nutrition, food service and business nutrition
  • Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty
  • Students can tailor their curriculum experience by selecting up to 10 hours of NFS electives (starting in fall 2024)
  • 100% acceptance rate for TWU students who applied to Dietetic Internships (spring 2024)
  • Nutrition students routinely match with competitive Dietetic Internships–greater than 90% (higher than the national average)

Nutrition Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (Dietetics) is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), an accredited program for students who are preparing to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Offered on TWU's Denton campus (with some online options), this nutrition program provides the coursework required to apply for a dietetic  internship.

There are a few ways to become an RDN. At TWU, you can start with a BS Nutrition (emphasis dietetics), then complete an accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship) and a graduate degree. Completing these steps makes you eligible to take a national RDN exam. Both a master’s degree and the dietetic internship are required before taking the RDN exam. 

Texas also has a state license for dietitians which is voluntary, however many employers require RDNs to be licensed in the state. To obtain licensure, the applicant must hold an active registration from the CDR. Completion of the TWU MS/Dietetic Internship meets the requirements necessary to obtain licensure in the state of Texas. Refer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website for additional information. For more information about state licensure requirements visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration at www.cdrnet.org/licensure.

Why Nutrition (Dietetics) at TWU?

Research opportunities

At TWU, you have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty in any of the on-campus laboratories. Research possibilities include:

  • Examining the effect of berries on bone health and prevention of osteoporosis
  • Evaluating the impact of various protein sources on exercise recovery
  • Diabetes control
  • Influence on parameters involved in the regulation of ovulation
  • The effect of dietary fats on neurological behavior and neuroinflammation

Community nutrition options include the development of community education programs and evaluation and design or outreach opportunities. 

TWU believes in opening doors for its students

The Career Connections Center on each campus provides advising services and tailored career planning for our students and alumni, from career advising and networking to negotiating a salary after graduation. The Career Center has also implemented Handshake, a unique resume reviewing and job opening database that works to fast-track your job search.

For our budding entrepreneurs, TWU’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs is the state’s only university center dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship and business ownership. The Center provides tools for you to succeed including access to training/coaching, funding, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Career Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a median annual income of $69,680 per year for dietitians and nutritionists with a much faster than the average growth rate. Specific jobs in this field include:

  • Clinical dietitians in hospitals, HMOs, long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics
  • Community dietitians for programs such as Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Sports nutritionists for professional and college teams, as well as fitness facilities and schools
  • Food service managers
  • Private practitioners

You also have the option of continuing your education and boosting your future earning potential with a TWU graduate degree in nutrition, exercise and sports nutrition or food science and flavor chemistry.

Requirements to become an RDN

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential "RDN."

How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and coursework accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and complete the requirements for a Verification Statement.
  • Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship), which includes experience in clinical nutrition, foodservice management, and community nutrition.
  • Complete a graduate degree.
  • Pass a national board examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the Registration Examination for Dietitians, refer to cdrnet.org

Verification Statements

For information regarding program requirements to earn a Verification Statement, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Dietetic Internship Master’s Degree Program

Get your undergraduate degree in a nutrition-related field and become an RDN with the dietetic internship/master’s program.

Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Texas Woman's University 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, extension 5400

Accreditation Information

Complete program information may be found in the Didactic Program in Dietetics Student Handbook.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate Admission

When you apply to TWU, we will evaluate your academic achievement and preparation, as well as your standardized test scores. Admission to TWU is valid for four terms, unless you have attended another higher education institution.

Check out the links below for specific admissions information:

Questions about the admissions process? Contact the Office of Admissions Processing.

Office of Admissions
Texas Woman’s University
P.O. Box 425649
Denton, TX 76204-5649
oap@twu.edu
940-898-3076 or 1-866-809-6130 ext. 3076

Admission to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD

ll applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Application to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD

Admission to Texas Woman’s University does not guarantee acceptance into the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) or the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD at TWU requires the submission of an application. All students who wish to be considered for admission to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) should declare their major as B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics). Students will take coursework as outlined on the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) Program of Study. Students will be eligible to apply to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD only after completing the required list of courses (1000 and 2000 level degree courses), and meeting the grade requirements.

Students who have completed the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD requirements and meet the requirements for a Verification Statement are eligible to apply to a supervised practice (internship) program.

Admissions Process to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD

Applications for admission to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD will be made after the successful completion of the required list of courses (1000 and 2000 level degree courses). All application materials are submitted to the TWU DPD Program Director.

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify to apply to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD:

  1. Admission to Texas Woman’s University.
  2. Submission of TWU B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD Application Form.
  3. Completion of prerequisites for B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD courses. Required courses may not be repeated more than one time.
  4. Meet the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD grade requirements.
  5. Overall GPA of 3.25 (last 60 hours for Post-Baccalaureate students).

Refer to the NFS website for the DPD Handbook and Application Form.

Prerequisites for B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD Admission

The required grade point average for application to the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD is 3.25 (GPA for Post-Baccalaureate students will be calculated using all the DPD-required courses and the previous undergraduate courses in reverse chronological order to total 60 semester credit hours). The courses listed below must be completed prior to progressing to Junior level courses (3000-level courses). Students who do not meet these requirements must meet with their academic advisor to determine an appropriate degree major.

After the above-required list of courses is completed, students will be permitted to apply to the BS in Nutrition (Dietetics) DPD program. If accepted, students are permitted to continue in the program. Students must maintain a 3.25 GPA and the course grade requirements identified in the verification statement requirements. Students who do not meet these requirements must meet with their academic advisor to determine an appropriate degree major.

* NFS 2011 may be taken as a sophomore or, if a transfer student, the first semester enrolled at TWU.

Graduation Requirements

Grade Point Requirements

A graduating senior must have at least an overall 2.0 in all coursework, a 2.0 in TWU coursework, and 2.0 in major, minor and core courses by the beginning of the intended semester of graduation. A course that has been repeated is counted only once, and the higher grade is counted for repeated coursework in determining grade points accumulated. Transcripts and diplomas are withheld if the student is indebted to the University.

Credit-by-examination courses will not be considered in computing the grade point average to determine eligibility for graduation. A course in which the student has made a grade of F cannot be repeated by correspondence for credit. The Office of the Registrar keeps an accurate record of the number of semester credit hours each student has earned.

Residency Requirements

  1. A minimum of 25% of the semester credit hours must be at TWU
  2. At least one-half of the upper level courses in the major and at least one-half of the upper level courses in the minor must be completed at the University. Correspondence and credit-by-examination courses do not satisfy residence requirements for graduation.

Advanced Semester Credit Hours Requirement

A minimum of 36 advanced semester credit hours is required for any baccalaureate degree. An advanced course for a baccalaureate degree is one that is numbered 3000 or 4000.

Transfer Work Needed for Degree Completion

All transfer work required for degree completion must be received by TWU within four weeks of the end of the term for which a student has applied to graduate. Transfer work not received by this deadline, or failure to apply to have the graduation application forwarded to a future term by the rollover deadline, will require the student to reapply to graduate the following term (with a new application fee assessed).

Summary of University Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

This catalog is designed to assist the student and academic advisor in planning and scheduling a degree program. Each student should keep in mind, however, that she or he alone is ultimately responsible for understanding and fulfilling all degree requirements. Students are responsible for their own degree plans and for the completion of all requirements for the degrees that they seek. Below are the minimum requirements for undergraduate degrees:

  • Completion of core curriculum with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Completion of three semester credit hours for global perspectives requirement
  • Overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • TWU grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Major and minor 2.0 grade point average or higher
  • No grades of Incomplete on the transcript
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 36 advanced semester credit hours
  • Successful completion of a major or an approved degree program, verified in the My Progress degree plan located in Student Self-Service
  • Successful completion of residency requirements:
    • 25% of all semester credit hours required for the degree at TWU
    • half of major upper level and half of minor upper level courses at TWU
  • Successful completion of comprehensive examinations where applicable
  • Successful completion of all departmental, legislative, and University course requirements. See degree plans and web sites for academic programs’ requirements.

Global Perspectives Graduation Requirement

Living in an interconnected global society requires an appreciation of the complexity and interdependency of world events and issues. Undergraduate education at TWU aims to broaden students’ perspectives, expand the boundaries of their conversations and provide them opportunities to recognize and understand other worldviews. To meet this goal, all undergraduates who enroll at TWU must complete a global perspectives requirement.

A global perspective refers to skills, knowledge, and attitudes in areas such as global dynamics, non-western worldviews, international systems and events, and global cultures. To meet this requirement, students may either complete three (3) semester credit hours of courses that have been approved for global perspectives, complete a major in which the global perspective competencies are integrated across the curriculum and is approved for global perspectives designation, or complete global perspectives approved courses in international study or independent study. These methods of achieving global perspectives may be combined when appropriate, and students will be encouraged to pursue as many opportunities as their degree programs allow.

Courses approved for global perspectives are indicated on departmental degree plans with the designation (GP), are listed on the Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives website, and may be identified online in the Course Search through WebAdvisor.

Double Major

Students may earn a degree with a double major by completing all requirements set forth by each major. To qualify as a double major, both majors must be the same degree type (BA, BS, BBA, etc.) and be awarded in the same semester. Two majors that do not share a common degree type constitute two separate degrees (see Second Baccalaureate Degree requirements). If a student in pursuit of a double major chooses to graduate with one major before completing both, the student will have to reapply to the institution to pursue a second baccalaureate degree (see Second Baccalaureate Degree >requirements).

Students earning a degree with a double major will receive a single diploma listing the degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) with both majors. The academic transcript will show a single degree posting with both majors listed.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Conferred at the Same Commencement

In departments where the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees are awarded in the same field, a student completing the prescribed courses in one of the majors and earning a minimum of 135 semester credit hours, 42 advanced hours and all the requirements of the second baccalaureate degree may receive both degrees at the same commencement.

When a second baccalaureate degree is desired in a field other than that covered by the first degree, the student must earn a minimum of 30 additional semester credit hours, including 12 advanced hours in the second field, and must meet all catalog requirements for the second degree.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

When an additional baccalaureate degree is desired in a field other than that covered by the first degree, the student must meet all the catalog requirements for the second major. A student who pursues an additional bachelor’s degree must:

  • Hold a valid bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Complete a minimum of 30 additional semester credit hours in residence at TWU, including half the major or a minimum of 15 advanced hours
  • Complete the state-mandated credits in history and government if they were not completed for the first degree

Courses taken for prior baccalaureate degrees may be used for the next degree except for the required 30 additional semester credit hours. These degree requirements apply to students holding a baccalaureate degree from TWU or other accredited institution.

Senior Registration for Graduate Studies

In the last semester of their undergraduate degree program at TWU, students who are within 12 semester credit hours of a baccalaureate degree will be permitted to register for courses which may be applied toward meeting the requirement for the master’s degree, provided that the total registration does not exceed 16 semester credit hours and proper application is made to the Dean of the Graduate School before registering for such courses. Students must have filed a Degree Plan Verification form and a Proof of Eligibility form with the Office of the Registrar before enrolling in graduate-level courses.

No work completed by an undergraduate student shall apply to a graduate degree, except for the work completed by seniors as provided for in this section. No work which is regularly a part of an undergraduate program shall apply toward a graduate degree, except for Texas Woman’s University seniors who have made special application at the time of registration for graduate credit for certain specific courses to be applied toward a graduate program approved by their major department and by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Graduation Honors Recognition

Graduating seniors (those receiving a baccalaureate degree) whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) reflects excellent scholarship are awarded their degree cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be earned at TWU before the final semester to qualify for this recognition. The cumulative GPA ranges for these graduation honors designations are listed below:

  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.900 and above
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.700-3.899
  • Cum Laude: 3.500-3.699

Graduation honors recognition at the commencement ceremony is based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to the final semester. Graduation honors recognition as recorded on the diploma or posted to the official transcript is based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the final semester.

Application for Graduation

In order to receive a B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics), students must complete the degree requirements listed in the “Suggested Academic Program Schedule” and:

  1. Apply for graduation by the graduation deadline.
  2. Review the Student Graduation Checklist to make sure all requirements are met.
  3. Undergraduate students or post-baccalaureate students earning an undergraduate degree need to submit their Degree Plan Verification Form to the Registrar's Office one year prior to expected date of graduation.  (This is different than the Dietetic Verification Statement.) 
  4. Apply for graduation by the deadline defined in the Academic Calendar (If you encounter difficulties, please review the application trouble shooting guide.)
  5. Review honors requirements to determine if you are eligible for honors recognition.
  6. Purchase commencement regalia (cap, gown, etc.) through the TWU Bookstore. The TWU Bookstore will be open on the day of commencement to pick up regalia. Please check their website for the exact hours. If possible, attend the Commencement Extravaganza in the Bookstore to review information and make purchases related to commencement.
  7. Contact the Office of Marketing and Communication for information about hometown press releases.

Students have access to their degree progress through TWU’s Degree Evaluation system and their academic files that are stored in the TWU advisement portal. 

For more information

advisingnfs@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Apply today

Page last updated 10:44 AM, August 1, 2024 

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