Human Nutrition

(including nutrition and kinesiology, nutritional sciences, and nutrition and health)

The Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health has three undergraduate nutrition curricula to provide graduates with a wide range of career opportunities. They are described below:

Nutrition and Health

This curriculum emphasizes health promotion as well as human nutrition. Graduates of this program work in a variety of settings to promote diet and health among the general public. This curriculum is an excellent preparatory degree for nursing or physician assistant schools (students are advised to check requirements for their specific nursing or physician assistant schools of interest). The curriculum is also offered as an online degree completion program.

Nutrition and Kinesiology

Nutrition and Kinesiology is a dual-degree program that allows you to receive two degrees upon graduation - a B.S. in Human Nutrition and a B.S. in Kinesiology. The 129-132 credit program will take four to five years to complete, depending on course load per semester, and summer school enrollment. This curriculum is particularly suited for those who wish to promote health/fitness in gyms, fitness centers, industries and corporations, and wellness centers. Students may also elect to supplement their academic training with national certification in a specific area (e.g. personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, fitness specialist).

Nutritional Sciences

(pre-medical, pre-dental, and medically-related fields)

This scientifically rigorous curriculum emphasizes biology and chemistry to help students understand the function and metabolism of nutrients. It prepares students for medical school and other health professional schools, or advanced study in nutrition or science.

Dietetics

Dietitians are professionals who translate the science of food and nutrition to enhance the well-bring of individuals and groups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 21 percent increase in jobs for dietitians between 2012 and 2022, which is a larger increase than the average for all occupations. Students will take classes in natural sciences, nutrition, food service, and management. Many dietitians work in health-care facilities such as hospitals and extended-care facilities. Dietitians may be found working in community health settings, food stamp programs, or feeding programs for the elderly. Dietitians also manage institutional and commercial food service operations when they apply nutrition knowledge and managerial skills in the delivery of meals to children and adults.

Athletic Training

Athletic training combines the love of sports medicine with the science of exercise. The study of athletic training can lead to a career as a certified athletic trainer. Athletic training is not the same thing as personal training. Students in the athletic training program, or ATP, study the concepts and develop the skills needed to manage health care problems associated with physical activity in individuals.

Related career titles

Biological Technicians
Chiropractors*
College/university faculty*
Dentists*
Dietitians and Nutritionists*
Fitness Trainers and Instructors
Health Educators
Medical Scientists
Occupational Therapists*
Pharmacists*
Physical Therapists*
Physician Assistants*
Physicians and Surgeons*
Recreation Workers
Registered Nurses*

*Additional training needed for these occupations

Resources available at the Career Center*

Careers for Health Nuts and Others Who Like to Stay Fit
Careers in Recreation
Exploring Health Careers, Vol. I
Opportunities in Nutrition Careers
The Everything Guide to Careers in Health Care
Top 100 Health Careers

*Books are available for checkout.