The requirements for the Nutrition and Food major wellness track. Please note, this major does not fulfill the DPD requirements for becoming a Registered Dietitian. The following are the core science/math and nutrition courses for the Nutrition and Food major:
Program Requirements:
Science/Math Requirements:
Nutrition Requirements:
| NUTR 112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
| NUTR 237 | The Practice of Community Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 248 | Food Production and Service Systems | 4 |
Track in Nutrition, Health Promotion and Wellness
The Nutrition, Health Promotion and Wellness track within the Department of Nutrition will lead the student to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food. The track draws across disciplines with courses predominantly from the Nutrition Department but also from the departments of: biology, chemistry, communication, and management. Students will gain an appreciation for communicating sound information to targeted populations and communities to encourage individuals to make healthy decisions. The curriculum focuses on assessing and evaluating community programs for established outcome measures. The Nutrition, Health Promotion, and Wellness track is for the student who is interested in communicating nutrition information through social media, is interested in exercise as part of a holistic approach, and has an entrepreneurial spirit.
In addition to the core courses listed above for the Nutrition and Food major, the following courses are required for the Nutrition, Health Promotion, and Wellness track. A total of 72 credits of required and elective courses are required for this major.
Additional Science Requirements:
Additional Nutrition Requirements:
Required Communication/Management Core Courses:
Required to select ONE of the following Communication Courses:
| COMM 163 | Radio Operations and Performance | 4 |
| COMM 186 | Introduction to Public Relations and Intergrated Marketing Communications | 4 |
| COMM 210 | Introduction to Graphic Design: Principles and Practice | 4 |
| COMM 244 | Web I: Design for the World Wide Web | 4 |
| COMM 281 | Content Strategy and Creation | 4 |
| COMM 262 | Media Convergence | 4 |
Electives
Consult with your adviser to choose electives in psychology and/sociology or possible other courses that fit with your career goals.
Track in Food Service Management
Previously, the Department offered a track within the nutrition program in food service management. This track will no longer be available for new students starting fall 2020, those already in this track need to complete the following courses requirements:
Science Requirements:
Additional Nutrition Requirements:
| NUTR 201 | Advanced Food Science | 4 |
| NUTR 249 | Leadership in Food Service Management | 4 |
| NUTR 390 | Seminar: Selected Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 381 | Advanced Practice in Community Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR 381: for those who entered prior to Fall 2015
Pick either Option:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Capstone course(s) or Independent Learning for the Nutrition and Food Majors
For those students entering as freshman the fall, 2015 or later, there is a Capstone course requirement under the PLAN. This requirement is met by taking Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381) and Selected Topics in Nutrition (NUTR 390). For those entering as a freshman prior to the fall 2015, there is an 8-credit all-University of independent learning; four semester hours must be fulfilled by enrolling in Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition (NUTR 381) and the remaining four semester hours are met by NUTR 390.
Dietetic Internship
The department of nutrition offers two accredited dietetic internship options to prepare baccalaureate nutrition graduates for entry-level dietetic practice and eligibility for the registration examination.
Track 1) Stand-alone dietetic internship program: This track is comprised of 8 months of supervised practice that meets the ACEND requirements for a stand-alone dietetic internship. The emphasis of the program is on community dietetics practice health promotion and wellness. Admission to the nutrition and dietetics program/ certificate does not guarantee admission to a dietetic internship. Please go to the Simmons University website for further details.
Track 2) Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program: This track includes both the supervised practice hours and experiences that meet ACEND’s requirements for dietetic internship and also includes the academic coursework to earn a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion.
Students may choose either concentration with the Master’s program: wellness or entrepreneurship. To complete this program and earn a verification statement, all requirements must be met for the supervised practice portion and the academic requirements to earn the MS degree.
Dietetic Internship concentrations: The Simmons University dietetic internship program has two ACEND recognized concentrations. The first is in community nutrition, wellness and health promotion and focuses on providing nutrition intervention in community settings. This is the concentration that all interns will automatically be enrolled in, unless the intern applies and is accepted into the second concentration in Eating Disorder Treatment. The concentration in Eating Disorder Treatment was approved as a second option in 2017. This concentration trains interns to enter the field as a specialist in eating disorder treatment. To complete this concentration, an intern must apply and be accepted into the program. Once accepted into the concentration, the intern must complete NUTR 420 with a grade of B or better, and complete 12 weeks of supervised practice in various settings of supervised practice that specialize in eating disorder treatment.
Certificate of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) fulfills one of the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian. The courses required for this program can be completed within the context of the Simmons University curriculum either as a part of a bachelor’s degree or in addition to an already completed bachelor’s degree through the DPD Certificate.