Nutrition and Dietetics (BS + MS)

Overview

Earn both a BS and MS in Nutrition and Dietetics through our five-year program, designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Our program combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on supervised practice, ensuring you graduate ready to excel in clinical, community, and wellness settings.

With a strong foundation in human biology, biochemistry, and evidence-based nutrition, you'll gain the expertise needed to help individuals manage diseases, promote health, and optimize performance. Our program guarantees placement in the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics for students who meet academic standards.  See the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics to learn more.

Whether you aspire to work in hospitals, public health, athletics, or research, our graduates thrive in diverse professional settings, making a meaningful impact in people’s lives.

Job Titles to Explore

  • Clinical Dietitian
  • Sports Dietitian
  • Public Health Nutritionist
  • Corporate or Food Industry Dietitian
  • Private Practice Dietitian

Employment Settings to Explore

  • Hospitals & Medical Centers
  • Community Health Centers
  • Sports Facilities & University Athletics Programs
  • Food & Beverage Companies
  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Media Hubs & Digital Platforms

Program at a Glance

  • In Person Modality
  • 5 Years
  • 163 Credits
  • Transferred Credits Permitted
  • $69,680
    Median Wage for Dietitians in 2023
  • 7%
    National Job Growth Projected by 2033
  • 163
    Credits
  • In Person
    Modality

Program Spotlight

Our unique program provides foundational coursework for seamless entry to the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. 

  • Integrated BS+MS Program – Earn both degrees in five years.
  • Seamless Entry to the Coordinated Program (MS in Nutrition and Dietetics) – Gain hands-on experience in diverse healthcare, community, and food industry settings.
  • Interprofessional Education – Train alongside students from multiple healthcare disciplines in our collaborative learning environment.
  • Specialized Coursework & Research Opportunities – Explore advanced topics in pediatrics, critical care, business, and community nutrition while engaging in faculty-led research.

Explore Courses In Dietetics

  • Explore nutrition counseling and communication for behavior modification and client-centered therapy. Learn to apply health behavior models form the field psychology, a holistic view of health, and cultural competency to help patients.

  • Apply the knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom to gain hands-on practice in the field as you prepare to take the credentialing examination and start your career in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

  • Discover the business and entrepreneurship of the nutrition profession. Plan, implement, and evaluate nutrition intervention programs. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources you’ll need to start and run your own private practice.

Program Overview

Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics

Careers in dietetics and nutrition are rapidly growing as the demand for experts in health and wellness continues to rise. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are at the forefront, helping individuals and communities prevent and manage diseases, promote healthy lifestyles, and optimize performance. With opportunities in diverse settings such as hospitals, sports organizations, public health, food industries, and private practice, the field offers a broad range of career paths. The D'Youville Nutrition and Dietetics program equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to excel in these roles and meet the increasing demand for qualified nutrition professionals.

Pre-Professional Coursework

Once you’re accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics program, you will complete pre-requisite coursework to prepare you for advanced study. You’ll be guaranteed placement in the professional phase of the Coordinated Program, which begins in the fall after your third year of study. See MS in Nutrition and Dietetics for more information. Examples of foundational courses include those listed below:

  • DTC 210 Food and Culture
  • DTC 250 Food Science
  • DTC 306 Principles of Nutrition
  • DTC 326 Nutrition Education and Counseling

Relevant Skills and Purposeful Degrees

Program Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

D’Youville’s Nutrition and Dietetics program is a competitive five-year B.S./M.S. degree. Admission is based on a holistic review of application materials, ensuring that students are academically well-rounded and prepared for the rigorous coursework. The program has a maximum accreditation class size of 30 students per cohort, so admission is granted on a space-available basis.

First-Time in College Freshmen:

Students applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the Nutrition and Dietetics program must meet the following criteria:

  • High School Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts.
  • GPA Requirement: A minimum high school average of 80% or 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required.
  • Coursework Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed:
    • Three years of math, history, and English
    • One year of biology/living environment
    • One year of chemistry
  • Standardized Tests (Optional): While ACT or SAT scores are not required, students who have taken these tests are encouraged to submit their scores if they would like them to be considered as part of the application process.

Transfer Students:

Students transferring into the program must meet specific GPA requirements based on their year of entry:

  • Years 1-3: A minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0 is required.
  • Years 4-5: A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 is required.

Guaranteed Placement in the Professional Phase:

Once admitted into the Nutrition and Dietetics program, students who maintain the required academic standards are guaranteed placement in the professional phase of the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, which begins after the third year of study.

By meeting these enrollment requirements, students can embark on a high-quality education that combines rigorous coursework, supervised practice experiences, and interprofessional learning opportunities to prepare them for a successful career in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Transferability

Transfer students applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the nutrition and dietetics program requirements: 

  • Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges/universities
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required to be accepted into years one and two of the program.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required to be accepted into year three of the program.
  • Minimum of a C (2.0) grade in all pre-requisite courses for the nutrition and dietetics major completed at a previous institution (Refer to Course Requirements For the Major below).
  • Minimum of a B - (2.67) grade in all nutrition and dietetics courses at the 100-400 levels completed at a previous institution (Refer to Course Requirements For the Major below).

While we don't require an admission essay or letters of recommendation, we will review these materials if provided.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Tuition & Fees

D’Youville University summarizes all tuition and fee information in one location to ensure accuracy and keep things simple for you. Click here to be re-routed to our Tuition and Fees Page. 

Info for Canadian Border Commuters

Canadian applicants interested in commuting to D’Youville University should review the information listed regarding Canadian border commuters on the F-1 Status Page. 

FAQs
  1. What is the duration of the program?
    The BS/MS program is 5 years.
  2. Is the program accredited?
    Yes, the nutrition and dietetics program at D’Youville is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. 
  3. Do I need to have a bachelor's degree in nutrition to apply?
    No. You can apply to the BS/MS program as first time in college or as a transfer student.
  4. What kind of courses will I take?
    Example of courses you take include: Principles of Nutrition, Nutrition Through the Lifecycle, Food Science, Nutrition Education, and Medical Nutrition Therapy
  5. Is there a thesis requirement? 
    No. You will complete a capstone project. Your research director will work with you to identify your project. 
  6. Will I get hands-on experience?
    Yes. During the graduate portion of the program, you will complete supervised practice experiences.
  7. What can I do with a degree in nutrition and dietetics?
    Graduates can work as registered dietitians in a variety of areas, such as in hospitals, nursing homes, community organizations, food service management, retail, private practice, or in research and academia
  8. What is the job outlook for dietitians?
    The job outlook is positive with an increasing demand for registered dietitians in all areas of the field.

Feel free to ask if you need more specific information or have other questions!

Careers

Registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who draw on their science-based education and experience to help individuals make positive lifestyle changes tailored to their unique needs. Working in a number of areas, RDs and RDNs advance the nutritional health of Americans and people around the world.

Traditionally, registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and government agencies. Currently, RDs and RDNs work in a wide range of settings including sports nutrition and wellness programs, elementary and high schools, food and nutrition-related business and industries, private practice, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research facilities, in addition to traditional sites.

Career Outlook

The rising interest in the role of food and nutrition in promoting health and wellness, coupled with the importance of diet in preventing and treating illness, has resulted in an increased demand for dietitians and nutritionists.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for dietitians and nutritionists will increase 16% through 2024, a rate which the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “much faster than average.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report notes that these statistics are based on a dietitian or nutritionist with a Bachelor’s degree, and that job prospects are even better for dietitians and nutritionists with an advanced degree. The MS conferred to graduates of the nutrition and dietetics program is considered an advanced degree.

For more information about the job outlook for dietitians and nutritionists, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Nutrition & Dietetics Faculty