Program Coordinator/Contact
Lacey McCormack, PhD, MPH, RD,LN, EP-C
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Wagner Hall 415, Box 2275A
605-688-4668
Program Information
Dietetics is the education and practice of food, nutrition and wellness and offers a wide variety of jobs in the health promotion, wellness, nutrition care and foodservice administration areas. Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) provide nutrition education and counseling and are pivotal in preventive health care and community nutrition programs. Additionally, a RDN is essential to the total care of a patient in a healthcare facility through nutritional assessment and medical nutrition therapy. Students develop an understanding and competency in food, nutrition, wellness, and management and a background in the basic and behavioral sciences to apply the science of nutrition for the promotion of health and disease prevention.
The employment opportunities are in health promotion and wellness programs, public health agencies, foodservice and food production industries, schools, universities, the armed services, hospitals, nursing homes, and state, national and international organizations. Governmental regulations require the services of dietitians in federally supported programs. The consulting services of a dietitian are often sought by architects and hospital administrators in planning and equipping food preparation and services facilities.
Mission and program objectives are available on the Nutrition and Dietetics homepage at www.sdstate.edu/health-and-nutritional-sciences/nutrition-and-dietetics. Program outcome data are available upon request from the program director.
Additional Program Requirements
Students must be current on immunizations and complete a criminal background check to complete education components of program. Additional costs may also be incurred for laboratory coats and student membership in the national organization of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics major, students will demonstrate:
- Core knowledge for the registered dietitian:
- Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: integration of scientific information and research into practice
- Professional Practice Expectations: beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice
- Clinical and Customer Services: development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations
- Practice Management and Use of Resources: strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations
- Knowledge to support the underlying principles of practice: food and food systems, physical and biological science, and behavioral and social science foundation of the dietetics profession
Academic Requirements
A minimum final grade of “C” is required in all NUTR prefix required courses in the major to graduate.
Accreditation, Certification and Licensure
The program has been continuously approved/accredited since inception by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics as a Didactic Program in Dietetics by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995), the accrediting agency for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (http://www.eatright.org/resources/acend).
All students successfully graduating from SDSU with a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and the courses required to receive a verification statement must have a “B” or better in NUTR 315 Human Nutrition and “C” or better in all majors (course with NUTR prefix) coursework to receive the verification statement. To become a RDN, one must complete an accredited didactic program in dietetics, a bachelor’s degree, an accredited supervised practice (dietetic internship) and pass the Commission on Dietetics Registration examination for registered dietitian nutritionist. In 2024, a graduate degree will also be required to take the CDR registration examination. The dietetic internships are post-graduation, require additional fees, and are competitive. To practice in the state of South Dakota the RDN must apply for licensure through the State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (www.sdbmoe.gov).
Course Delivery Format
The program offers coursework through lecture, discussion, and laboratory experiences.
