Human Ecology, Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration, B.S.H.E.

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NUTRITION AND DIETETICS¹

(Leading to the Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology Degree)

The Nutrition and Dietetics concentration is an accredited dietetic curriculum which prepares students to be eligible to enter a supervised practice program: part of the process to becoming a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN). Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists work in health care, community health agencies, sports nutrition, research and food management.

Curriculum

Freshman Year

First Semester

CHEM 1010 - Introductory Chemistry I Credit: 4.
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credit: 3.
HEC 1010 - Life Span Development Credit: 3.
HEC 1040 - Connections in Human Ecology Credit: 1. ⁴
SOC 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit: 3. or
ANTH 1100 - Introduction to Anthropology Credit: 3.

Total: 14

Second Semester

CHEM 1020 - Introductory Chemistry II Credit: 4.
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II Credit: 3.
HEC 1005 - Introduction to Human Ecology Credit: 1.
HEC 2065 - Families in Society Credit: 3.
HIST 2010 - Early United States History Credit: 3.

Total: 14

Sophomore Year

First Semester

BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit: 4. and
BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit: 4.
or
BIOL 2350 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology Credit: 4.
ENGL 2130 - Topics in American Literature Credit: 3. or
ENGL 2235 - Topics in British Literature Credit: 3. or
ENGL 2330 - Topics in World Literature Credit: 3.
HEC 2020 - Nutrition for Health Sciences Credit: 3.
HEC 2240 - Food Preparation and Management Credit: 4.
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics Credit: 3.

Total: 17

Second Semester

CHEM 3005 - Elementary Organic Chemistry Credit: 4.
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credit: 3.
Elective Credit: 3.
HEC 2220 - Medical Terminology for the Human Sciences Credit: 1.
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History Credit: 3.
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ³ Credit: 3.

Total: 17

Junior Year

First Semester

BIOL 3230 - Health Science Microbiology Credit: 4.
HEC 3011 - Consumer Economics Credit: 3.
HEC 3240 - Quantity Food Production Credit: 4.
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ³ Credit: 3.

Total: 14

Second Semester

CHEM 4500 - Nutrional Biochemistry Credit: 3.
HEC 3201 - Community Nutrition Credit: 3.
HEC 3210 - Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics Credit: 1.
HEC 3270 - Nutrition in Disease Credit: 3.
HEC 3275 - Research in Family Sciences Credit: 3. or
EXPW 4042 - Health Promotion Credit: 3. or
EXPW 3170 - Motor Learning Credit: 3.
Or, other advisor approved EXPW class.
HEC 3290 - Nutrition through the Life Cycle Credit: 3.

Total: 16

Senior Year

First Semester

HEC 3100 - Cultural Competence for Professionals Credit: 3.
HEC 4200 - Advanced Nutrition Research Credit: 3.
HEC 4215 - Professional Preparation for Advancement in Nutrition and Dietetics Credit: 2.
HEC 4271 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Credit: 3.
HEC 4925 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Credit: 3.

Total: 14

Second Semester

HEC 4242 - Food Systems Administration Credit: 3.
HEC 4262 - Nutrition Applications in the Community Credit: 3.
HEC 4272 - Clinical Dietetics Credit: 3.
HEC 4940 - Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness Credit: 2.
PSY 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credit: 3.

Total: 14

Note:

In order to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) and to practice as an RDN, the following steps must be completed:

1. After successful graduation from Tennessee Tech’s DPD (Nutrition and Dietetics) program, gain acceptance and complete an accredited supervised practice program.

2. Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement to be approved for eligibility for the registration exam for RDNs will change from a bachelors’ degree to a graduate degree. All students will need to complete a graduate degree to sit for the credentialing exam, in addition to completing the supervised practice program.

3. Pass the national credentialing examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

4. Obtain appropriate licensure in the state in which you will practice.

The Nutrition and Dietetics concentration is an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD); which requires a mandatory enrollment policy. A total of 20 students will be enrolled each year at the junior level, and a total of 20 students will be enrolled each year at the senior level. Students should plan to apply for admission into upper division dietetics during the sophomore year. As part of the requirements for successfully completing the Didactic Program in Dietetics and to receive a Verification Statement: a minimum grade of C is required in all Science courses. See www.tntech.edu/hec for application details as well as the DPD Student Handbook.