Director: K. Witt
Dietetics is a profession concerned with the science and art of human nutrition care. Messiah is one of the few Christian colleges offering students a nutrition major which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Messiah University Nutrition and Dietetics major provides excellent preparation for careers in nutrition science, public health, dietetics, and food service. Students study a wide variety of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, chemistry and biochemistry, food science and technology, nutrition science, business, education and counseling, and medical nutrition. Hands-on learning is emphasized throughout the curriculum. In addition to course work, students are strongly encouraged to obtain work or volunteer experience in nutrition and dietetics.
Many jobs in nutrition care require that an individual be credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). To earn the RDN credential, an individual must complete a three step process:
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain state-licensure or certification to practice.
Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics at Messiah University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program or dietetic internship. Messiah University also offers an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship as a graduate certificate program which may be used towards a Messiah College MBA. Senior Nutrition and Dietetics majors who meet the pre-select criteria may apply to the Messiah College dietetic internship in the fall of their senior year, bypassing the national match process. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancingeducation/information-for-students or contact ACEND at Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, Phone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.
In addition to the RDN credential, Nutrition and Dietetics majors can also pursue graduate education in public health, nutrition science, or nutrition education. With additional math and science courses, the major can also provide preparation for applying to medical or dental school or physician assistant programs. Graduates who do not continue their education are employable as dietetic technicians in health care institutions and businesses, nutrition counselors in community nutrition programs, and food service managers in health care institutions, schools, and industry.
The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science also offers a verification program for individuals who already have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution but have not taken all of the course work required by ACEND. Individuals seeking to obtain verification of the ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics academic requirements complete an individualized plan of study based on evaluation of their academic transcripts, including at least 18 credits in Food and Nutrition courses at Messiah University. Individuals who complete the verification program requirements are eligible to apply for ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs.
Progression requirements: In order to progress into NUTR 410, NUTR 411, and NUTR 425, students must have completed the following courses with no grades lower than a C- in each and an average GPA in them of 2.5 (2.75 if more than one of these courses is transferred to Messiah): CHEM 105, CHEM 106, and CHEM 204 or CHEM 309/ CHEM 310, BIOL 185 or BIOL 160, NUTR 121 and NUTR 222. Students who do not achieve the required minimum GPA will not be able to complete the Nutrition and Dietetics major. Repeat Policy: One course from the list may be repeated one time. An attempt at a course will include all letter grades as well as W. When extenuating circumstances arise (i.e. significant illness or death in the family), students may appeal this policy by submitting a written letter explaining the rational for the exception to the DPD Director. If the appeal is denied, the department decision may be appealed to the dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Health.
Graduates from Messiah’s Nutrition program can:
APHS 170 / 2 Credits
Introduction to the basic foundations of physical fitness and wellness concepts. Particular emphasis is placed on the fitness components of cardiovascular endurance, body composition, muscle strength and endurance, and labs emphasizing flexibility. Students design and implement individualized exercise programs, and significant class time is devoted to vigorous sport and exercise sessions.
BUSA 120 / 3 Credits
An introduction to the basic processes of management including human behavior in the workplace, leadership, teams, quality, change, organizational structure and design, international management, and management ethics.
CHEM 105 / 4 Credits
Solution chemistry, stoichiometry, chemical analysis, atomic structure and chemical bonding, the periodic table, and states of matter. The laboratory experience utilizes a discovery approach.
CHEM 106 / 4 Credits
Kinetics and thermodynamics of chemical reactions, types of chemical reactions, equilibrium and applications in aqueous solution, and electrochemistry.
NUTR 099 / 1 Credits
This course is designed for students majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics as well as students considering this major. Course topics include the history of nutrition, food service, and dietetics, current career opportunities and trends, knowledge and skills required for success, and ethical issues in food and nutrition practice.
NUTR 121 / 3 Credits
Basic examination of the principles of food science, with an emphasis on techniques which illustrate those principles.
NUTR 222 / 3 Credits
Introduction to nutrition science for allied health majors. Includes nutrient sources and functions, nutrient metabolism and basic dietary assessment.
NUTR 322 / 3 Credits
Examination of the nutritional requirements of pregnancy, growth, adulthood, and aging. Includes nutritional assessment and factors that affect food habits at various ages.
NUTR 331 / 3 Credits
Examination of the U.S. food supply with emphasis on food product development and marketing, food composition, ingredient functions, food processing and preservation, genetically modified foods, and laws and regulations that control and protect the food supply.
NUTR 341 / 4 Credits
Examination of the standards, principles and techniques required to produce food in quantity including food purchasing, facility layout, equipment selection, quality control, service and distribution, and management.
NUTR 352 / 3 Credits
Study of the methods used to provide nutrition care to communities, with consideration given to community nutrition problems, current services, communicating with the public, grant writing, and program planning and evaluation.
NUTR 410 / 3 Credits
Examination and application of current techniques for effective nutrition education and counseling. Students will develop and present a nutrition education lesson and provide individualized nutrition counseling under faculty supervision.
NUTR 411 / 3 Credits
Study and application of the principles of the nutrition care process to medical nutrition. The course focuses on nutrition assessment and diagnosis, the design and implementation of nutrition care, and evaluation of client response and progress. It includes an introduction to pharmacology and pathophysiology, as well as enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
NUTR 412 / 3 Credits
Continuation of the study and application of the nutrition care process to medical nutrition. Students study the pathophysiology of and current nutrition therapies for a variety of illnesses and injuries, including cooking techniques and foods appropriate for preventing and treating specific medical conditions.
NUTR 425 / 4 Credits
Students study biochemistry of macronutrient metabolism and function, as well as body composition and energy expenditure. In addition, the course focuses on research methodology including advanced literature searching, research design, and interpretation of research data. Students select a research topic, write a literature review and design a research project which is completed in NUTR 426. Fullfills the writing-intensive requirement for the Nutrition and Dietetics major.
NUTR 426 / 3 Credits
Students study the biochemistry of micronutrient metabolism and function as well as nutrigenomic. In addition, students complete the research project designed in NUTR 425, including a written research report and an oral presentation.
NUTR 493 / 1 Credits
Senior Seminar in Nutrition, Food Service, and Dietetics: Topics addressed include Christian perspectives, ethical concerns and social responsibility issues relating to nutrition, food service, and dietetics practice. Students explore career options and prepare for postgraduate education or employment.
PSYC 101 / 3 Credits
Introduction to modern psychology including its major theorists and methodologies and an overview of biological, personality, learning, developmental, social, and abnormal psychology.
STAT 269 / 3 Credits
Descriptive measures, normal distributions, one-sample and two-sample hypothesis testing and estimation, correlation, and analysis of variance.
NUTR 425: Fulfills Writing Enriched course requirement for major.
BIOL 185 / 4 Credits
Study of the structure and function of the human body, spanning cellular through systemic perspectives. Internal regulation enabling the maintenance of homeostasis is underscored. Organ systems include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrine systems. Laboratory emphasizes student understanding of anatomy and its role in integrated function. Intended for majors in the health sciences.
BIOL 186 / 4 Credits
Study of the structure and function of the human body, spanning cellular through systemic perspectives. Internal regulation enabling the maintenance of homeostasis is underscored. Organ systems include the cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Laboratory emphasizes student understanding of anatomy and its role in integrated function. Intended for majors in the health sciences.
OR
BIOL 160 / 4 Credits
Introduction to the molecular, genetic, and cellular aspects of biology. It includes a study of the nature of science, integration of faith and science, biological molecules, cell structure and function, enzymes, metabolism, and classical and molecular genetics. Laboratory emphasizes molecular and biochemical techniques applied to the study of DNA, proteins, and cells, and the process of writing scientific manuscripts. This course is taught at a level appropriate for science majors.
BIOL 166 / 2 Credits
Introduction to comparative physiology across the Animal Kingdom. Uses a systems approach to functional morphology, emphasizing how multicellularity, cellular specialization, and system integration in animal life enable maintenance of homeostasis amidst unique challenges of diverse aquatic, marine and terrestrial environments. Complements the co-requisite course, BIOL 164 Animal Form and Systematics.
BIOL 385 / 4 Credits
Study of the integrated physiological processes essential for maintenance of homeostasis. Material spans cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic functions, with strong emphasis on human physiology. The laboratory focuses on hypothesis-driven studies in several model organisms, including humans, and utilizes computerized instrumentation and clinical diagnostic tests.
BIOL 381 / 4 Credits
A study of microorganisms, including diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes; viruses; microbial growth, metabolism, nutrition, environment; microbial genetics; ecology, symbiosis, pathogenicity and host response; detection and control of microbial diseases; applied microbiology. Laboratory emphasizes techniques such as microscopy, aseptic technique, microbial quantification and identification, bacteriophage infection, molecular analysis, immuno-based tests. Designed for students majoring in natural or health sciences.
BIOL 382 / 4 Credits
Study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms of medical importance, including bacteria, protists, fungi, and viruses. This course focuses on morphology, classification, habitat, and pathogenicity, with emphasis on clinical, epidemiological, and immunological aspects. Designed for students entering allied health professions. Laboratory includes classic and medically-related microbiological techniques.
CHEM 204 / 4 Credits
Essential foundations of organic chemistry for students needing a one semester survey of organic chemistry. Includes natural and synthetic substances, their properties, reactions, and preparation.
OR
CHEM 309 / 4 Credits
The characterization and chemistry of simple carbon compounds as organized by functional group. This includes nomenclature, three-dimensional structure, physical properties, reaction mechanisms, kinetics, thermodynamics, reactions, and NMR and IR spectroscopy.
CHEM 310 / 4 Credits
The characterization of carbon compounds with increasing complexity. Emphasis will be on the chemistry of aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, amines, and biological molecules that contain multiple functional groups. This includes nomenclature, physical properties, reaction mechanisms, kinetics, thermodynamics, reactions, multi-step syntheses, and the integration of spectroscopic methods for the structure determination of organic molecules.
| Experiential Learning requirement | 0 |
| QuEST requirements | Credits |
| First Year Seminar | 3 |
| Oral Communication | 3 |
| Created and Called for Community (W) | 3 |
| Mathematical Sciences (STAT 269) | met/major |
| Laboratory Science (CHEM 105) | met/major |
| Science, Technology & the World | waived |
| Social Science (PSYC 101) | met/major |
| European History or United States History | 3 |
| Literature | 3 |
| Philosophy and Religion | 3 |
| Arts | 3 |
| First Semester of Language | 3 |
| Second Semester of Language | 3 |
| Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural | 3 |
| Non-Western Studies | 2-3 |
| Bible | 3 |
| Christian Beliefs | 3 |
| Wellness course | met/major |
| Ethics, World Views or Pluralism | 3 |
| QuEST requirements | 41-42 |
| Major requirements | 72-79 |
| Free electives | 10-2 |
| Total credits | 123 |
NUTR 425 & NUTR 426 may meet ELI requirement- work closely with advisor to confirm