Program Description
As a student in this accelerated dual degree program, you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four and a half years. Students begin their pre-professional education in the Health Sciences where they complete college studies, health sciences, and prerequisite coursework with other health and pre-medical students on Jefferson’s East Falls Campus. Students who maintain progression criteria are guaranteed to matriculate into the Nutrition professional program.
Jefferson’s academic advisors and faculty work closely with our students on course selection and academic performance to ensure that each student is on pace to transition into the professional phase of the program. The MS in Nutrition program is designed to help meet the growing demand for professional Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). It prepares highly motivated students with an interest in the medical field to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration National Registration Examination for Dietitians examination upon graduation.
Students matriculating into the professional phase of study in the Nutrition and Dietetic Practice program will complete 24 graduate credits during year 4 pre-fall and fall semesters. These credits are allocated to the undergraduate BS degree in Health Sciences, with graduation eligibility in December. Year 4 spring and Year 5 pre-fall and fall courses comprise the MS degree.
Learning Goals/Outcomes (Health Sciences)
- Apply scientific and psychological concepts to make informed clinical decisions.
- Explain factors that can influence health and well-being.
- Apply principles of professionalism, respect, and ethical behavior (in class and in the field).
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of health professions’ scopes of practice and responsibilities to make informed career decision.
Curriculum: 4.5 years, 150 credits
- (120 BS; 30 MS)
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FYS 100 | Pathways Seminar | 1 |
| WRIT 101 | Writing Sem I: Written Comm. | 3 |
| WRIT 201 | Writing Seminar II:Multi Comm | 3 |
| AVIS 101 | American Visions | 3 |
| MATH 1XX Pre-Calculus (or higher) | 3 | |
| BIOL 112 | Core Concepts of Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 112L | Core Concepts of Biol Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 103 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103L | Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 104 | Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 104L | Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| HSCI 100 | Intro to Health Professions | 1 |
| PSYC 101 | Intro to Psychology | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 32 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ETHC 2XX | Ethics | 3 |
| GDIV 2XX | Global Diversity | 3 |
| ADIV 2XX | American Diversity | 3 |
| GCIT 2XX | Global Citizenship | 3 |
| HSCI 225 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| HSCI 230 | Intro to Healthcare | 2 |
| CHEM 214 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 201 & 201L |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anat & Physiology I Lab |
4 |
| BIOL 202 & 202L |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Human Anat & Physiology II Lab |
4 |
| BIOL 221 & 221L |
Microbiology and Microbiology Lab |
4 |
| Credits | 32 | |
| Third Year | ||
| CGIS 300 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
| ISEM 3XX | Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| PHIL 499 | Philosophies of the Good Life | 3 |
| HSCI 304 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| HSCI 3XX | Health Sciences Elective | 3 |
| CHEM 201 & 201L |
Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab |
4 |
| PSYC 2XX | Psychology Elective | 3 |
| General Electives | 10-13 | |
| Credits | 32-35 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| RDN 531 | Integ Nutr Acr the Life Cycle | 3 |
| RDN 537 | Cul Nutr, Food Sci & Diet Plan | 3 |
| RDN 511 | Nutritional Biochem & Physio | 3 |
| RDN 535 | Food Service and Safety | 3 |
| RDN 571 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| RDN 661 | Mgmnt & Leadershp in Nutrition | 2 |
| SCJU 631 | Soc Jus Sem: Food,Weight&Hlth | 1 |
| RDN 612 | Nutrition Communic and Educ | 3 |
| RDN 712 | SEL-Nutr Comm, Edu, & Lead Exp | 1 |
| RDN 762 | SEL-Food Servic & Culinary Exp | 1 |
| RDN 675L | Clinical Skills Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 120-123 | |
Note: Year 5 (refer to Nutrition & Dietic MS Program)
Curriculum: Nutrition & Dietetic (MS)
- Refer to the Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP) for graduate Nutrition & Dietetic curriculum.