Dietetics (B.S.)

The dietetics program focuses on the study of food and nutrition in relation to preventing and treating disease and maintaining and promoting good health. Dietetics is a people-oriented, science-focused and evidence-based field.

Studying dietetics is the first step toward earning the registered dietitian professional credential. Many dietitians work in clinical health care settings such as hospitals and extended-care facilities.

The MSU Dietetics undergraduate program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) that meets or exceeds the minimum academic requirements for professionally qualified dietitians. MSU has one of the largest dietetics programs in the United States.

To contact ACEND:
Email: acend@eatright.org
Phone: 800-877-1600 x5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995

See more on dietetics licensing board contact information and approval status.

CURRENT STUDENTS: Connect with your academic advisor for advising appointments or to change your major/minor.

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Dietetics

Core areas of study include:

Nutrition and foods
Chemistry and biochemistry
Physiology and psychology
Management skills and processes
Medical nutrition therapy

Enrollment in the dietetics major is limited, and the profession requires acceptance into a competitive post-bachelor’s dietetic internship in order to be eligible to take the registered dietitian examination. For additional information, refer to the Dietetics Handbook.

Learn more about the dietetics major entry requirement.

Learn more about required courses in the undergraduate dietetics program.

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Dietetics Graduates

See career outcomes for MSU dietetics graduates, including salaries, top employers and employment locations.

Career Opportunities

A large number of dietitians work in a clinical practice like a hospital or extended care facility. Many dietitians also work in community health settings, such as at a health departments and with programs for at-risk populations, including children and seniors.

Some dietitians' responsibilities are concentrated in the food service operations where dietary modifications may be necessary.

Dietetics prepares students for a variety of career paths:

Clinical nutrition practice
Public health nutrition
Corporate wellness/health promotion
Higher education
Food industry
Food service management
Private practice/nutritional counseling
See more descriptions on the the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Fact Sheet

Faculty members and advisors maintain close relationships with past graduates, which can help with internships, scholarships and employment in nutrition, dietetics and food-related fields.