Human Nutrition and Foods

The Human Nutrition and Foods program focuses on dietetics, but it also provides a strong foundation for graduate work or professional school in several health-related fields. Students complete courses in food science, nutrition, food service management, sociology, psychology, biology, chemistry, physiology and microbiology. They are also encouraged to take electives in areas that support anticipated career preferences.

When a student finishes the WVU Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements and the University requirements for graduation, the student is eligible to apply for a place in a dietetic internship. Placement in dietetic internships is competitive and graduation and program completion does not guaranteed placement. Upon successful completion of an internship, the student may apply for a provisional license in West Virginia or other states that have licensure for dietitians. A provisional license in West Virginia will be changed to a regular license once the Registered Dietician exam is passed.

Contact:

Betty Forbes MS, LD, RD
Betty.Forbes@mail.wvu.edu
304-293-2631, ext. 443

Program Admission and Curriculum

Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College Human Nutrition and Foods majors. To earn a bachelor’s degree, all students must complete 128 credit hours including the General Education Curriculum required by the University.

During the first two years of the program, Human Nutrition and Foods students fulfill English and mathematics requirements and take two semesters of inorganic and organic chemistry, two semesters of biology, and General Education Curriculum courses. Courses in human nutrition and foods, contemporary issues in nutrition, science of food preparation, and cross-cultural dietary patterns are also completed.

Specific areas of study in the Human Nutrition and Foods curriculum include: nutrition, food science, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. To provide students with the knowledge they may need in their future careers, training in management and accounting is also part of the program.

Complete course listings and descriptions can be found in the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates find positions in hospital and community settings, business, industry and private enterprise. After completion of the dietetics program graduates are eligible to apply for a dietetic internship. Placement is highly competitive and isn’t guaranteed. The internship typically lasts one to two years depending on the program and whether graduate study is included. After successful completion of an internship, graduates are eligible to take the examination to become a registered dietitian.

Program Mission

Dietetics is a profession that integrates biological and social sciences and business principles in the management of nutrition services. It is a dynamic field that demands professionals who continually update their knowledge, generate new knowledge, develop or incorporate new technology, and use the principles from all of the specialized areas when providing nutrition services to individuals and the public. The mission of the program is to provide a high-quality undergraduate didactic program in dietetics that prepares students for entry-level positions in foods and nutritional science, food service management, and clinical and community nutrition. Equally important, the curriculum meets the academic requirements for membership in the American Dietetics Association, as well as for application to a supervised practice program or graduate school.

Program Goals

The DPD will:

1. Prepare graduates for careers in dietetics.

Over a five-year period, 80% of the DPD graduates who take the registration examination for dietitians will successfully complete examination on the first try.

Over a five-year period 60% of DPD graduates will apply to supervised practice programs the year they complete the DPD.

Over a five-year period, 80% of those applying to supervised practice programs the academic year they complete the DPD will be accepted.

Within six months of graduation, 70% of the graduates who do not continue on to a dietetic internship will be employed in dietetics-related jobs or enrolled in an advanced education program.

Ninety percent of graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for a dietetic internship or employment in a dietetics-related area.

2. Recruit, retain, and graduate a highly motivated and diverse population of undergraduate dietetics students.

Ninety-percent of the students admitted to the DPD will complete the program within three years. (The DPD is designed to be completed in two years beginning with the 300 level courses; three years is 150% of the planned time.)

Students admitted to the program will rate as satisfactory or better scores on advising and counseling provided by the faculty.

Enrollment will increase by 5% each year

3. Instill graduates with a commitment to community service.

Upon completion of the DPD program, 80% of all students will have demonstrated volunteerism and leadership skills involvement in WVU/student organizations.

Graduates will indicate on an alumni survey that they participate in one or more community service activities.

Accreditation

The WVU Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted continued accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.

Admission Requirements

Click here for WVU’s requirements for undergraduate admission and other useful information.

Click here to apply online.

Tuition and Fees

Please visit WVU’s Admissions and Records site for current information.

Students in the program are required to purchase a lab coat, at a cost of approximately $25 to $30.

The WVU Dietetic Internship participates in the spring D&D Digital American Dietetic Association computer matching program. Applicants may register for computer matching at their website.