Learning Outcomes

Students in the major at will demonstrate:

• Ability to identify nutrition-related public health problems, integrate information from basic nutrition sciences, critically analyze data, and develop appropriate conclusions
• Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and competencies needed in the field of dietetics and nutrition. Examples include knowledge of medical nutrition therapy; nutrition and metabolism; program planning, monitoring, and evaluation; management in school nutrition programs and long-term care; food safety; and the role of food in the promotion of health
• Competent application of nutrition knowledge and skills in a work environment, including an ability to calculate and/or define diets for various health/disease conditions, screen individuals for nutritional risk, determine nutrient requirements across the lifespan, and calculate enteral and parental nutrition formulations; determine costs of services/ operations, interpret financial data, and prepare a budget

(See the department's website for the Dietetics and Nutrition Management concentration for specific learning outcomes for the ACEND Accredited Dietetics Program).

Potential Occupations

Participation in community outreach, internships, volunteer activities, or cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance career planning, skills, and development. Graduates who go on for advanced studies can attain more responsible leadership positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.

Some examples of career opportunities include, but are not limited to: dietitian or nutritionist in health care, hospitals, long-term care, schools, state or county health agencies, health clubs, corporate wellness programs, grocery stores/food chains, or private practice; community nutritionist; biomedical scientist; restaurant manager; caterer; quality assurance specialist; food scientist; food inspector; food technologist, food plant manager; food service manager in hospitals, schools, or long-term care. The median salary for registered dietitians is $49,500 – the range is $38,976-$64,993.

Students interested in teaching nutrition and/or food science content at the secondary education level should explore the interdepartmental concentration in Family and Consumer Sciences Education at the beginning of this college section. The Family and Consumer Sciences Education concentration allows students to combine their interests in nutrition, wellness/health, food science, culinary arts, and/or catering with teaching. Family and Consumer Sciences Education students take course work in the Departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Design and Merchandising, and Human Development and Family Studies. They also complete an education sequence which qualifies them for a secondary teaching license. The demand for secondary Family and Consumer Sciences teachers exceeds the supply in Colorado as well as nationally. Therefore, job placement is extremely high, with starting salaries in the $34,000-$37,000 range for a nine-month teaching position.