Nutrition
Nutritionists inspire people and their communities to make healthy food choices for wellness, enhanced sports performance, and to prevent and treat disease.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- B.S.
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Lock Haven
- Mansfield
- Department
- Program Contact
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Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nutrition
Major Showcase Day
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our program during the Major Showcase Day on Tuesday, April 7 in Mansfield. Space is limited, register today!
Program Overview
- The field of nutrition focuses on the study of how food and dietary choices impact human health and well-being.
- Nutritionists and dietitians work to promote optimal nutrition and develop dietary plans that meet individuals' specific needs, whether it's for general health, weight management, or managing specific health conditions. They assess dietary habits, provide nutrition education, and offer guidance on making healthier food choices.
- Nutrition plays a crucial role in preventing and managing various health issues, and professionals in this field work in diverse settings, including hospitals, schools, public health agencies, and private practice, to help individuals and communities lead healthier lives through proper nutrition.
- The nutrition program prepares students to complete advanced degrees in the field, qualify for post-baccalaureate internships as well as seek employment upon graduation. Career opportunities in this growing field include jobs as clinical dietitians, food-service directors, sports nutritionists, corporate nutritionists, private practice dietitians, wellness and weight control experts, and community dietitians in public and private organizations.
Course Delivery Format
Bloomsburg
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Lock Haven
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Mansfield
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Courses and Curriculum
Program Information and Resources
Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Students must earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Dietetics option, and earn their Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement from Commonwealth University to be eligible to apply for an ACEND accredited dietetic supervised practice program. Information on the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration and degree requirements can be found on the program degree map.
Be accepted to and complete an ACEND accredited dietetic supervised practice program after completing the degree at CU–Mansfield, CU-Bloomsburg, or CU-Lock Haven.
There are 3 types of accredited Dietetic Supervised Practice Programs that students can choose to apply to:
- Dietetic Internship
- Future Education Model Graduate Program
- Coordinated Master’s Program
Dietetic Supervised Practice Programs require a minimum of 1,000 hours of ACEND accredited supervised practice program. There are 3 major areas of dietetics which include clinical dietetics, community and nutrition education, and food-systems management. Additional experiences that might be provided include research, sports nutrition, pediatrics, culinary nutrition, retail nutrition, informatics, food sustainability, and other related areas. The additional experiences vary by program. For more information, view the ACEND Accredited Program Directory.
Students apply for dietetic supervised practice programs during their senior year of the baccalaureate degree. Dietetic supervised practice programs are highly competitive.
- Pass the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). The Registration Examination is a national board registration examination, which leads to the credential of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) sets the requirements for the RDN exam. The RDN exam is a computer-based exam that covers the content in the three major areas of dietetics: Clinical, Community, and Food Service and Food-systems Management. Once students complete the dietetic supervised practice programs and earn the dietetic supervised practice program’s Verification Statement, they are eligible to sit for the RDN examination.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master's degree (the master’s degree does not need to be in the area of nutrition) to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement visit the CDR website. 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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at CU - Mansfield are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
In some states, licensure or certification is required for registered dietitian-nutritionists. State requirements vary by state. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) provides information about state licensure requirements. Pennsylvania has state licensure requirements. CDR provides an overview between CDR certification and state licensure.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN visit eatrightpro.org.
Verified graduates who do not complete ACEND-approved dietetic internships after graduation are eligible to take the national dietetic technician, registered (DTR) exam and work as dietetic technicians in long-term care, community nutrition programs such as WIC, other health care settings; food service managers in schools, health care institutions, and additional settings. Graduates may also continue their education by attending graduate school.
Students who major in nutrition may qualify for some of the many of the scholarships offered by Commonwealth University.
There are three scholarships specifically for Nutrition and Dietetics students at Commonwealth University. Nutrition and Dietetics students in their junior year of study may be eligible for additional scholarships available from the Central Pennsylvania Dietetic Association and the American Dietetic Association.
A list of available scholarship opportunities is available through CU Financial Aid.
The scholarship is awarded based on character, scholarship, culture, and service, which is taken from the Mansfield Creed. Faculty and Student Dietetic Association officers rank applicants on these traits.
Miss Keller was a foods instructor in the Home Economics Department and she served as department chairperson.
This scholarship is presented to a student who is majoring in dietetics. The recipient of this scholarship can be either an entering or currently enrolled student who demonstrates strong academic ability and has financial need. This is an $850.00 non-renewable award.
This scholarship is presented to a nutrition and dietetics major. Preference is given to a student from Wyoming or Clinton County.
Accreditation
The Nutrition and Dietetics Program has been in existence at Mansfield since the 1970's. The Commonwealth University-Mansfield Nutrition and Dietetics program is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) (Formerly the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association or CADE) the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800/877-1600 ext. 5400.
This program provides the didactic instruction required to meet the ACEND (Formerly CADE) Foundation Knowledge and Skills for Entry-Level Dietitians and Standards of Education. This program allows graduates to apply for an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (Formerly Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education) supervised practice program, which leads to eligibility to write the registration examination for dietitians.
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).
For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. 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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at CU-Mansfield are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
In some states, licensure or certification is required for registered dietitian-nutritionists. State requirements vary by state. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) provides information about state licensure requirements. Pennsylvania has state licensure requirements. CDR provides an overview between CDR certification and state licensure.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN visit eatrightpro.org.
B.S. in Nutrition: Dietetics Concentration Accreditation
The Commonwealth University – Mansfield dietetics concentration is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) (Formerly the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association). The last self-study was completed in 2024 and was successfully approved for the maximum 7-year term for accreditation. The program is fully accredited through 12/31/2032.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Dr.
Plaza Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
(312)-899-0040 Ext. 5400
Email: acend@eatright.org
Careers
There are a variety of career opportunities for graduates of the Nutrition Program at Commonwealth University. Graduates are currently working as clinical dietitians in hospitals and long-term care facilities; as managerial dietitians in food service and clinical nutrition management positions; as community nutritionists in outpatient clinics for health care companies and physicians' offices, at Women, Infants and Children clinics, in community fitness programs; as private practice dietitians and consultants; and as educators and researchers. The jobs mentioned above are only a sample of the potential careers open to students who major in Nutrition at Commonwealth University. Other career options include:
Potential Job Opportunities
- Clinical dietitian in hospital, HMO, or other health care facility
- Consulting dietitian
- Dietitian in a nursing home
- Community dietitian with the Women, Infants and Children Program
- Public health dietitian
- Dietetic educator
- Researcher with food or pharmaceutical companies
- Researcher in a University or hospital setting
- Sports nutritionist with fitness teams or corporate wellness programs
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Consumer affairs in food and nutrition related businesses
- Public relations in food and nutrition related businesses
- Product development in food and nutrition related businesses
- Private practice dietitian
- Food service director in a hospital, or other health care facility
- School food service director
- Day-care food service director
- Correctional facility food service director
- Caterer
- Peace Corps worker
- Cooperative extension agent
- Food buyer or distributor
- Food and drug inspector
Vision
To provide a student-focused learning environment that allows nutrition students to develop their potential in becoming competent leaders who empower their patients, clients, employees, and communities.
Values
Scholarship: We enthusiastically embrace student learning and believe students should be actively engaged learners in, as well as out, of the classroom. We believe faculty and students should be life-long learners. Character: We provide an environment that encourages personal accountability, integrity, honesty, and courage in an atmosphere, which fosters respect for others students may encounter in their personal and professional lives. Culture: We celebrate the uniqueness of individuals with whom nutrition professionals interact and provide opportunities for students to learn about the unique needs of humans from a variety of backgrounds. Service: We support our local community and embrace service learning, while encouraging students to participate in volunteer activities related to the major.
Unique Program Features
Personalize your degree through our two program concentrations — dietetics and sports nutrition. You'll take specialized courses in life cycle nutrition, community nutrition, advanced nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education and counseling, food science, food service, chemistry, and biology. Career opportunities in this growing field include clinical dietitians, food-service directors, sports nutritionists, corporate nutritionists, private practice dietitians, wellness and weight control experts, or pharmaceutical sales representatives. You can get involved with student organizations like the Student Dietetic Association, Mansfield University Community Health Club (MUCH), and Future Healthcare Professionals Club. Dietetics concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Program Strengths
According to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics site reviewers during our last 10-year accreditation site visit our strengths include: Highly qualified, hard-working, extremely competent program director who provides a nurturing student-centered learning environment. Supportive, collaborative faculty in related disciplines who fully support the dietetics education program and success of its students Administrators who recognize the program's accomplishments and commitment to quality Articulate enthusiastic and determined students who appreciate the competency of the faculty and quality of the academic program.
Nutrition Contacts
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