Bachelor's in Nutrition - Human Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor’s in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HNDI) at UNC Greensboro develops and educates students for clinical roles in nutrition. These include a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Coursework focuses on application of the principles of nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, management, behavioral, and social sciences to promote optimal health in individuals. This engaging program reflects the constantly changing field of nutrition and current topics, such as weight bias, intuitive eating, sports nutrition, and culinary medicine.

Upon successful completion of the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration, students are issued a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement as required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The DPD verification statement prepares them for the next steps to becoming a Registered Dietitian: completion of a graduate degree, and a supervised practice program, such as UNCG’s Dietetic Internship (DI) program.

Human Nutrition and Dietetics Program Distinctions

Students in the Bachelor’s in Human Nutrition and Dietetics program at UNC Greensboro have numerous advantages over other programs.

• The UNCG Department of Nutrition provides a low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personal attention in teaching, advising, mentoring, and research.
• Many classes include community engagement and field experience, giving students additional opportunities for hands-on application of their coursework.
• Courses address contemporary issues in dietetics, including weight-bias, culinary medicine, and sports nutrition.
• UNCG has modern laboratories that support learning and research related to food science, clinical assessment, dietary analysis, physical fitness, body composition, and nutritional and clinical biochemistry.
• Both the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration, also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics – DPD, and the post-B.S. Dietetic Internship Certificate program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Human Nutrition and Dietetics Student Experience

Human Nutrition and Dietetics students have the opportunity to excel in research and scholarship in a connected community at UNCG.

• All nutrition students have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate research with faculty. They can participate in nutrition activities requested by the surrounding community.
• Eligible students can conduct disciplinary honors projects.
• Many undergraduate courses have a community engagement component that affords students the opportunity to gain valuable experience.
• Students may participate in the UNCG Nutrition Club, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, NC Dietetic Association, and the NC Academy of Science.
• Our program has an active research focus with opportunities for undergraduate students to participate. Key areas of research include:
  • Obesity, energy balance, and chronic disease
  • Bioactive food component effects on cell function and prevention of disease processes
  • Nutrition risks and needs of underserved/limited-resource populations
• Many of our students receive national awards for their research, including the Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship, Patsy Jane O’Malley Memorial Scholarship, and the National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN) Scholarship.

After Graduating with a bachelor’s in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Potential career paths for Registered Dietitians include:

• Clinical dietitians work as part of the health care team in hospitals and other healthcare institutions. They meet the special dietary needs of clients, such as those with diabetes or cancer, premature infants, and the elderly.
• Patient food services managers plan and oversee meals and nutritional programs. They may direct staff employed in organizations such as hospitals and retirement communities.
• Public health nutritionists are employed in community agencies whose missions are to promote health, prevent disease, and provide primary health care.
• Consultant dietitians in private practice advise corporations, conduct wellness programs and seminars, counsel groups such as athletes, and promote nutrition through articles and books.
• Product representatives for pharmaceutical companies advise and educate health professionals.
• Cooperative extension agents translate research findings in food and nutrition into consumer education.