Program Overview

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Introduction to the Nutrition and Dietetics Program

The Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (FNES) at Queens College, City University of New York, offers a Didactic Program in Dietetics through the undergraduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics. This program is based on the standards of Education of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the goals of the FNES Department.

Program Overview

The curriculum consists of 24 classes (79 credits) including biology, chemistry, psychology, food science, nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, food service management, nutrition counseling, research methods, life cycle and community nutrition. Upon completion of the curriculum and earning a bachelor’s degree (B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics), students with a program GPA of 3.2 or higher will receive a DPD Verification Statement, one of four requirements for the credential of Registered Dietitian.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1

The program will prepare graduates to improve the nutrition health and well-being of individuals, families, and/or communities, by either entering graduate studies and supervised practice programs, or immediately entering careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

• At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 4.5 years (150% of the program length).
• At least 75 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 65% of graduate survey respondents not admitted into a supervised practice within 12 months of graduation will be in a career and/or graduate studies that improve the nutrition health and well-being of individuals, families, and/or communities.

Goal 2

The program will prepare graduates to think critically and solve problems within the context of nutrition and dietetics to enhance their ability to satisfactorily fulfill supervised practice programs, and pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• On the Directors Survey, 80% of responses will indicate that graduates are satisfactorily prepared for supervised practice in all areas.
• On the Graduates Survey, 80% of respondents, having completed a supervised practice program, will report they were satisfactorily prepared for supervised practice in all areas.

Accreditation Status

The Nutrition and Dietetics program has been granted full accreditation as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Program Mission

The mission of the Nutrition and Dietetics program is to prepare graduates to think critically and solve problems within the context of nutrition and dietetics, using rigorous research and evidence-based practices. This allows them to enter into graduate programs and supervised practice programs that, in combination, lead to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam, to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Getting Admitted

To get admitted into the Nutrition and Dietetics major, you need a GPA of 3.2 or higher. The first step is getting admitted to Queens College. Then, complete the Nutrition and Dietetics Program Application and follow the directions for emailing it.

Expenses and Financial Aid

For information on the cost of the Nutrition and Dietetics program, please refer to the handbook. For information on the cost of studying at Queens College, and available financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.

Program Schedule

Upon admission to the Nutrition and Dietetics major, your program advisor will help you set up a sequence of courses for the major-related courses, and Academic Advising will help you set up a schedule for other academic coursework required for the degree you are seeking.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

To be granted the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, students must complete the Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum with a grade of C or better in all Nutrition and Dietetics-major courses, obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher across all 24 courses of the NUTDTS-BS major, and complete the Queens College general education required courses, and a minimum of 120 credits.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are food and nutrition experts in preventing and treating disease. The credential is administered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). You need to fulfill four education criteria to qualify for the RDN credential:

1. Complete an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (like the Queens College Nutrition and Dietetics major).
2. Complete a minimum of a graduate degree by a university accredited by a USDE recognized accrediting agency (or foreign equivalent).
3. Complete an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship.
4. Pass the RD Examination.

State Licensure

The Queens College Nutrition and Dietetics major is an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. Specific to New York State, it fulfills the Academic Requirements for the CDN certification. This certification furthermore requires supervised practice experience and an examination.

Accelerated Nutrition & Dietetics Program

With the permission of the Undergraduate and Graduate Advisors, you can take up to four approved graduate courses (up to 12 credits) in place of the regular undergraduate courses in the last two semesters of the BS in Nutrition and Dietetics program. These credits are part of the MS in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences – Nutrition Specialization and may transfer to other programs, at the other program’s decision. As they are part of the BS/MS program, they are typically covered by the undergraduate tuition.