Food and Nutrition Major

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Nutrition and Health Studies

 

Food and Nutrition Mission

The Food and Nutrition program at Framingham State University will develop a course of study that enables graduates to actively participate in the changing food environment, in the nutrition education process, and in health care delivery systems according to the highest standards of client service and professional ethics.

  • The Coordinated Program in Dietetics Concentration (UFNP) integrates an academic and supervised practice curriculum to prepare students to be entry-level dietitians. The Program meets the academic and experiential requirements which qualify students to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians upon graduation and to be a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist in Massachusetts.
  • The Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration (UFND) (Didactic Program in Dietetics) offers an academic curriculum to prepare students to be accepted in an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited Dietetic Internship to become a registered dietitian nutritionist or into a graduate program, or to pursue a career in a food, nutrition or related field.

Program Accreditation

The Nutrition and Dietetics and the Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentrations are 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; 312-899-0040, extension 5400.

The General Education Requirement

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the major requirements.

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

Requirements for Major:

Major core requirements (7):

  • NUTR 110 Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 262/262L Food, Culture, and Society with Lab
  • NUTR 364/364L Experimental Study of Food with Lab
  • NUTR 381 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
  • NUTR 384 Foodservice Systems
  • NUTR 478 Community Nutrition
  • NUTR 482 Management of Food and Nutrition Services

Concentrations:

  • Coordinated Program in Dietetics 4+1 (UFN4)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics (UFND)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics Education 4+1 (UFNE)
  • Nutrition and Food Service Program Management (UFNS)

All new students, both First-Year or Transfers, admitted into the Food & Nutrition major are placed in this pre-concentration. When students are enrolled in or have completed CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry, they must apply to either the Nutrition and Dietetics or Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration.

General Dietetics Studies Pre-concentration (UFNG)

This pre-concentration begins preparation to become a registered dietitian.
Note: The pre-concentration requirements do not apply to the Nutrition and Food Service Management concentration.

Pre-Concentration Requirements (6 courses):

  • BIOL 130/130L Principles of Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
    • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab and
    • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab

CONCENTRATIONS 

Coordinated Program in Dietetics 4+1 (UFN4)

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) 4+1 program includes both the academic requirements and the supervised practice requirements which qualify students to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians upon graduation with the Master of Science degree. Admission to the CPD is competitive. Twenty-four (24) undergraduate and graduate students are admitted to this program each year.
Applications are accepted only in the spring semester; applicants must be enrolled in or have completed CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry.  Minimally, second semester junior standing is required, but applications are also accepted from seniors. Transfer students must be matriculated at the University before applying for the concentration.  An application form can be found on the departmental website.
In order to complete undergraduate and graduate requirements within five years, students will need to enroll in two graduate courses, including NUTR 827 Nutrition in the School Environment (0.5 course credit) in the summer prior to the start of their fifth year. Continuing Education course tuition/fees apply for courses taken during the Summer Session and fifth year.
Completion of both the supervised practicum coursework and the master’s degree are required in order to receive the Verification Form permitting the writing of the Examination for Registered Dietitians as of January 1, 2024.
4+1 Coordinated Program in Dietetics Concentration Requirements (10 courses):
These courses are in addition to the major core requirements (9 courses) and preconcentration requirements (5 courses).
  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • NUTR 002 Orientation to Dietetics (non-credit)
  • NUTR 374 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 481 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • NUTR 481L Medical Nutrition Therapy II Clinical Practice (non-credit)
  • PSYC 101 General Psychology or 
    • SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology or 
      • ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology
  • STAT 117 Introduction to Statistics or 
    • STAT 203 Statistics for the Natural Sciences or 
      • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists

      Required graduate courses (3 courses in the undergraduate senior year, which will appear as transfer coursework):

  • NUTR 903 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
  • NUTR 911 Research in Nutrition and Education

Choose one (1) graduate elective course from the following:

  • CPSY 911 Orientation to Counseling Practice
  • Any NUTR 900-level course
  • Any NUED 900-level course with the exception of NUED 914 Contemporary Nutrition Issues in Schools or NUED 910 Nutrition Science in the Classroom

Nutrition and Dietetics (UFND)

Students are prepared to meet the requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students in this concentration intend to apply for admission to an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited supervised practice program upon graduation. Twenty-four (24) students are accepted to this concentration each year. Admission to the DPD is competitive. Applications are accepted only in the spring semester; applicants must be enrolled in or have completed CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry.  Minimally, second semester sophomore standing is required, but applications are accepted from juniors and seniors.

  • Students apply to this concentration while they are enrolled in or after completing CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry. In addition, transfer students must complete one (1) semester at the University before being accepted into this concentration.
  • Students who are not accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration or the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Concentration another major in the University.
  • Minimal requirements for departmental admission into the Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration include a GPA of 2.70, a GPA of 2.50 in science courses, and a minimum grade of C- (1.70) in any Biology, Chemistry and Food and Nutrition courses. An application form can be found on the departmental website framingham.edu/nutrition.
  • During the fall semester of their senior year, students work with the DPD Director to apply to a post-baccalaureate ACEND-accredited supervised practice program by registering for NUTR 005 Preparation for Academy Dietetic Internship (no course credit).
  • Students are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians upon graduation.

  
Concentration Requirements (5 courses):

These courses are in addition to the major core requirements (9 courses) and pre-concentration requirements (6 courses).

  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • NUTR 005 Preparation for Academy Dietetic Internship (non-credit)
  • NUTR 374 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 481 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • One additional HLTH or NUTR course at or above the 200-level
  • PSYC 101 General Psychology or
    • SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology or
    • ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology
  • STAT 117 Introduction to Statistics or
    • STAT 208 Biostatistics or
    • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists

NOTE: Students completing this concentration have met the academic requirements to sit for the Massachusetts licensure exam to be a licensed nutritionist dietitian (LDN). See http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/nu/.

Nutrition and Dietetics Education 4+1 (UFNE)

Students are prepared to meet the requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 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). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND.

Students who complete this Nutrition and Dietetics Education concentration will receive a verification statement attesting that they have met the ACEND coursework requirement. The concentration also allows students to begin master’s-level studies during their senior year, as part of both their undergraduate and master’s degree requirements for the Master of Education concentration in Nutrition Education program (M.Ed.). After successful completion of the undergraduate Food and Nutrition concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics Education, students complete the remaining coursework and written exam for the Master of Education concentration in Nutrition Education through the Department of Graduate and Continuing Education. Upon completion of the M.Ed. component of this 4+1 program, students will receive a verification statement attesting that they have met the ACEND master’s degree requirement. Students may apply for an accredited external supervised practice experience during or after their senior year in the undergraduate portion of the 4+1 program. In addition to both the undergraduate and M.Ed. components of this 4+1 program, students must complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice experience to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

  • Students must have at a minimum second semester junior standing to apply to this concentration.
  • Students apply to this concentration while they are enrolled in or after completing CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry. In addition, transfer students must complete one (1) semester at the University before being accepted into this concentration.
  • Minimal requirements for the Nutrition and Dietetics Education Concentration include a GPA of 2.70, a GPA of 2.50 in science courses, and a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in any Biology, Chemistry, and Food & Nutrition course. An application form can be found on the departmental website.
  • During the fall semester of their senior year, students work with the DPD Director to apply to a post-baccalaureate ACEND-accredited supervised practice program by registering for NUTR 400 Preparation for Dietetic Internship (no course credit).
  • Students are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians upon graduation.

  
Nutrition and Dietetics Education 4+1 Concentration Requirements (8 courses):

These courses are in addition to the major core requirements (9 courses) and pre-concentration requirements (6 courses).

  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • NUTR 374 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 400 Preparation for Dietetic Internship (non-credit)
  • NUTR 481 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • NUTR 495 Internship in Food and Nutrition
  • PSYC 101 General Psychology or
    • SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology or
      • ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology
  • STAT 117 Introduction to Statistics or
    • STAT 208 Biostatistics or
      • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists

Required graduate courses (3 courses in the undergraduate senior year, which will appear as transfer coursework):

  • NUED 914 Contemporary Nutrition Issues for Educators
  • NUED 970 Technology in Nutrition Education
  • EDIL 920 Learning and Human Development NUTR 005 Preparation for Academy Dietetic Internship (non-credit)
Nutrition and Food Service Program Management (UFNS)

The Nutrition and Food Service Program Management Concentration offers an academic curriculum to prepare students for careers in the field of food and nutrition that do not require a Registered Dietitian Certification.  This interdisciplinary concentration includes a strong foundation in nutrition and nutrition science and offers opportunities to build vital management skills which can be used in a variety of nutrition and food-related work environments including nutrition and food education, foodservice management, school nutrition, and community program management.

Concentration Requirements (9 courses):

  • ACCT 220 Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • BIOL 142/142L Introduction to Human Biology with Lab or
    • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
  • CHEM 103/103L Introductory Chemistry with Lab or
    • CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 201/201L Introductory Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry with Lab or
    • CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • HLTH 222 Public Health and Epidemiology
  • MGMT 280 Organizational Behavior or
    • ENTR 301 Cultivating and Managing Innovation
  • MRKT 181 Marketing Principles
  • NUTR 495 Internship in Food and Nutrition

Choose one (1) elective course from the following:

  • COMM 215 Science Communication
  • COMM 226 Writing for Visual Media
  • COMM 303 Organizational Communication
  • COMM 234 Intercultural Communication
  • ENGL 286 Professional Writing
  • ENGL 311 Writing about Science
  • ENGL 338 Grant Writing
  • ENGL 371 Business Writing

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog