Courses in foods and nutrition have been offered continuously at Syracuse University since 1917 and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Nutrition B.S. program prepares you for careers in a wide variety of opportunities in clinical, community, food service management, corporate, government, and educational settings, and is the first step toward becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Why this degree makes a difference in society today…tomorrow…
Due to rising public interest in nutrition, a growing and aging population, the childhood obesity epidemic, and increased emphasis on health education and healthy lifestyles, the demand for trained nutrition professionals is increasing. Nutrition professionals work with businesses, schools, advocacy groups and legislators to ensure all people have access to adequate nutrition, at school, at home, and at work. In healthcare, they collaborate with patient care teams to help prevent and treat illness. Nutrition research expands the body of knowledge in health and wellness, sparking advances in public health and quality of life, from pregnancy through adolescence and adulthood. Whether you want to inspire health in your community or around the world, nutrition is a universal avenue to make a difference.
Our Facilities
Learn using equipment and technology that mirrors—or exceeds—what is found in practice settings. Our Nutrition Assessment, Consultation and Education (ACE) Center is a hands-on learning laboratory to prepare you with traditional and emerging professional competencies critical to effective nutrition practice. The ACE Center includes a lecture hall with a demonstration kitchen and teaching station, two small private consultation rooms, a physical assessment room, and a small conference room with a large media screen. The Center’s counseling and physical assessment rooms are equipped with two teaching mannequins, a tube feeding placement simulator, wall-mounted stadiometers and electronic scales, pediatric measuring equipment with several multi-ethnic infant mannequins, electronic blood pressure monitors, a lactation education baby, and a variety of food models. In the ACE Center, you can practice nutrition-focused physical examinations on a patient simulator. This facility allows for unlimited opportunities for direct practice with indirect calorimetry to measure how many calories someone is utilizing, instead of estimations that use imperfect mathematical equations. Additional enhancements to your learning include class experiences measuring body composition with the BOD POD testing system used extensively in university and medical facilities, the military and health and wellness settings to track body composition. Our facilities also include the Learning Café and Kitchens, a hands-on learning laboratory to prepare you with traditional and emerging professional competencies for careers in food, nutrition, dietetics, and public health. The facility includes an experimental food lab kitchen, commercial kitchen, baking nook and café.
Experiential Learning
Most of the nutrition curriculum is applied. Students provide dinner services to the community through Food Service Operations, and counsel real people through Nutrition Counseling – just to name a few. While an undergraduate student in Nutrition at Syracuse University, our students are very creative in securing practical experience in the Syracuse community and their home towns. We have the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service to provide assistance. In fact, we have three nutrition specific interns hired that will help you engage in the Syracuse community through formal programs like Books and Cooks, Cooking on the Hillside or Food Busters or through independent opportunities. Many nutrition students also are part of the Honor’s program and work closely with a faculty member to do an honor’s thesis.
Study Abroad
At Syracuse University you have access to one of the nation’s best-ranked study abroad programs. Our students have opportunities to study the health care system and families in India, gastronomy in Italy, drug policy in the Netherlands, health education in South Africa, health policy in Switzerland, and social policy and public health in the United Kingdom, to name a few. Summer programs of interest may include South Africa Immersion, Mediterranean Food and Culture and South Asian Culture. For more information about study abroad, visit suabroad.syr.edu.
What’s Next
A bachelor degree in nutrition will equip you to work in a variety of health and health promotion fields, and as the first step toward becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). It may also serve as a preparatory step toward more advanced study at a master level or a graduate level allied-health program, such as physician assistant programs or medical school.
How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, RDN:
Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. RDNs use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. After completing your degree, if you want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, you will need to do a supervised internship which will include clinical, community and food service experiences. Some internships are combined with a graduate degree. Typically, this practice program will run six to 12 months in length. After 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 given by the Commission on Dietetic registration (CDR) to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). The internship and master’s degree can be completed separately or combined through one master’s and internship program. Learn more about this requirement in our online Program Handbook. Our admissions team can help you understand this new master degree requirement, contact us if you have any questions.
What will your dietetic internship be like:
Graduates of Syracuse University’s nutrition dietetics program start in postgraduate internship placements at prestigious hospitals and health care organizations across the U.S. From the beginning of your first year in the program, you will engage in experiential learning and mentoring to qualify for competitive internships in your areas of interest. In 2023, each and every one of our students was admitted to an internship of their choice. Students apply to several dietetic internships of their choice through a centralized application service. On “match day” the student finds out if they have successfully matched to a dietetic internship that they have applied to. Students can only be matched to one program. The Nutrition program at Syracuse University has historically high match rates compared to the national average, highlighting its commitment to helping our students achieve their career goals.
| Year | National Match Rate | Our Match Rate | Number Students | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 70% | 100% | 11 | 6/6 | 5/5 |
| 2022 | 64% | 100% | 12 | 9/9 | 3/3 |
Learn more about the Dietetic Internship Program at Syracuse University.
Where to get more information:
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. For information about becoming a Certified Dietitian Nutritionist in New York State visit the N.Y.S. Office of the Professions website. Additionally, successful completion of the Nutrition bachelor degree makes graduates eligible to take NDTR exam (Nutrition Dietetics Technician, Registered).
Careers
Employment of dietitians continues to grow with the increased emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits. Public interest in nutrition, a growing and aging population, the childhood and adult obesity epidemics and increased emphasis on health education and healthy lifestyles continue to spur demand for dietitians. The Nutrition, BS program prepares you for careers in a wide variety of opportunities in clinical, community, corporate, government, and educational settings. Learn more about careers in Nutrition
What can you do now to prepare?
Students interested in nutrition find it helpful to supplement their courses with hands-on experience. Some suggestions might include:
- Work at a community food bank, long term care facility, school food administration office, or a hospital.
- Be a part of a nutrition community volunteer group or school clubs.
- Exercise your writing and communication skills working with school publications, or start your own blog to showcase your portfolio.
- Focus on getting good grades in high school science and math courses.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an exceptional resource for students considering a career in nutrition. Visit eatright.org to explore current professional opportunities and pinpoint personal areas of interest.
Program Requirements & Electives
The degree program in nutrition is an 124-credit B.S. that includes coursework in sciences such as chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry; and in food such as safety, science, systems and meal management. Students also study nutrition in the health and life span, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, nutrition education and counseling. Read all about our programs requirements and electives in the Syracuse University course catalog.
Accreditation
The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Syracuse University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1.800.877.1600 ×5400). Our program is granted full accreditation through June 30, 2029.
Program Objectives
The mission of the Syracuse University Didactic Program in Dietetics is to provide a high-quality, inclusive and student-centered dietetics program within a broad liberal arts base that prepares students for careers in food, nutrition and dietetics. Read our Mission, Goals and; Objectives
Expenses & Financial Aid
Expenses
A current estimated Cost of Attendance can be obtained from Syracuse University Financial Aid Office. Additional program specific costs include the D.I. application fee.
Financial Aid
General financial aid information can be found at the Syracuse University Office of Financial Aid.
Scholarships
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accepts applications for dietetic internship scholarships each year at Eatright Foundation Scholarships.
Getting Admitted
Students selecting nutrition as a major field of study must have minimum proficiency in chemistry and physiology. Applying is easy and only takes minutes using a Common Application. Learn more about application requirements and deadlines:
Learn More:
For additional admissions information, contact the Office of Admissions at falk@syr.edu, or fill out our online form: