Nutrition- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health
The Nutrition major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health degree. Nutrition, an area of health science, studies human metabolism as it relates to nutrition. An interdisciplinary curriculum with courses in nutrition, food science, food systems management, lifestyle and health, with supporting courses in chemistry, social science and management is provided by this major. Students in this major must complete one of two concentrations, Food & Nutrition for Pre-Health Professions or Dietetics, which fulfills the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) the accrediting body for our Didactic Dietetics Program requirements.
The Nutrition major, with a Food & Nutrition for Pre-Health Professions concentration, equips pre-health students with essential knowledge and skills to address the growing impact of diet on health outcomes. It prepares future professionals to understand how nutrition influences chronic diseases, develop skills in patient counseling, and integrate evidence-based dietary guidance into clinical practice. With increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to obesity and other health challenges, a solid foundation in nutrition enhances the ability to offer impactful, preventative care, a critical skill in modern healthcare professions.
A graduate completing this nutrition major tailored for pre-health professionals will be well-prepared for diverse opportunities in healthcare. This major provides a strong foundation for advanced study in medical, dental, physician associate, or physical therapy programs, emphasizing the role of nutrition in preventive care, chronic disease management, and improving health outcomes across communities.
The Nutrition major, with a Dietetics concentration, is accredited by ACEND of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This fulfills the didactic portion of the requirements to become a registered dietitian and a professional member of AND. To become a registered dietitian one must complete an ACEND approved graduate program with a dietetic internship following graduation1 and pass the registration exam. Dietitians are professionally prepared to perform nutritional assessment, counseling, and education as components of preventive, curative, or restorative health. Students may opt to become a nutrition and dietetics technician, registered (NDTR) through ACEND. For more information, see your advisor.
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Acceptance rate of clinical experiences dependent upon student academic performance and other experiences.
Program Requirements
(71-85 semester hours)
The Nutrition Major must complete all requirements in the Nutrition Foundation PLUS choose a concentration in either Food & Nutrition for Pre-Health Professions or Dietetics. The Dietetics Concentration is for students interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian and a professional member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition Foundation | ||
| BIO 161 | Principles of Human Physiology | 4 |
| or BIO 305 | Human Physiology | |
| CHM 141 | College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 142 | College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 144 | College Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 145 | College Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| Select one of the following Organic Chemistry options: | 4-10 | |
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Chemistry Majors and Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Chemistry Majors and Organic Chemistry for Chemistry Majors and Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Chemistry Majors | ||
| KNH 102 | Food, Nutrition & Health | 3 |
| KNH 103 | Introduction to the Profession of Dietetics | 2 |
| KNH 104 | Introduction to Food Science | 3 |
| KNH 202 | Nutrition Across the Life Span | 3 |
| KNH 244 & 244L | Functional Anatomy and Functional Anatomy Laboratory | 4 |
| or BIO 201 | Human Anatomy | |
| KNH 302 | Global and Community Nutrition | 3 |
| KNH 405 | Advanced Nutrition I: Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| KNH 406 | Advanced Nutrition II: Micronutrient and Phytochemical Metabolism | 3 |
| MBI 111 | Microorganisms and Human Disease | 3-4 |
| or MBI 201 | General Microbiology | |
| PSY 111 & PSY 112 | Introduction to Psychology and Foundational Experiences in Psychology | 4 |
| STA 261 | Statistics | 4 |
| Concentration | ||
| Select a concentration | 18-25 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 71-85 | |
Concentration
Food & Nutrition for Pre-Health Professions Concentration: (18-20 hours)
In addition to the Nutrition Foundation requirements, students interested in pre-health professions must select a minimum of six courses from the options below. See your advisor for recommendations depending upon your interests.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of six courses: | 18-20 | |
| Developing Solutions in Global Health | ||
| Introduction to Cell Biology | ||
| Diverse Family Systems Across the Life Cycle | ||
| Physical Activity and Health | ||
| Nutrition in Disease Prevention Management | ||
| Medical Terminology for Health Professionals | ||
| Applied Health Behavior Change | ||
| National and Global Health Policy | ||
| Psychological Perspectives on Health | ||
| Nutrition Counseling and Communication Skills | ||
| Nutrition for Sports and Fitness | ||
| Public Health Planning and Evaluation | ||
| Physiology of Exercise and Physical Activity and Physiology of Exercise and Physical Activity Laboratory | ||
| Exercise Prescription: Healthy Individuals & Individuals with Chronic Diseases/Disorders | ||
| Community Health Perspectives | ||
or KNH 125 | Introduction to Public Health | |
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Medical Ethics | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Sociology in a Global Context | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18-20 | |
Dietetics Concentration: (22-25 hours)
In addition to the Nutrition Foundation requirements, student’s planning on becoming a Registered Dietitian must also complete the following coursework. Acceptance rate of a clinical experience is dependent upon student academic performance and other experiences.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select the following: | ||
| KNH 203 | Nutrition in Disease Prevention Management | 3 |
| KNH 303 | Food Systems Management | 3 |
| KNH 403 | Nutrition Counseling and Communication Skills | 3 |
| KNH 404 | Advanced Food Science | 3 |
| KNH 411 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| KNH 413 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| KNH 420 | Field Experience | 1-4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Introduction to Management & Leadership | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 22-25 | |