Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

Description and Outcomes

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program focuses on building content knowledge and skills in the broad areas of nutrition science and health care. The program's curriculum highlights foundational knowledge and skills as well as overall concepts, values, research methods, and applications that could prepare you to pursue a variety of career opportunities in health care and nutrition science-related industries. Courses teach you to apply principles of healthy living to the education of individuals and communities, and develop administrative, ethical, and professional skills that are relevant to leadership positions in the increasingly diverse health care field.

Concentrations

In addition to the required core and major courses, you can further specialize your degree by choosing a concentration in holistic nutrition.

Graduate Program Pathways

If you are interested in earning both a bachelor's and master's degree, consider a graduate program pathway.

Program Length

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

  1. Knowledge Base: Explain the role of nutrients and food in the prevention of disease and optimization of human health.
  2. Application: Evaluate an individual's nutritional status using appropriate clinical assessment strategies and interpret food science information appropriate to consumer needs.
  3. Critical Thinking Skills: Assess diets, prepare foods, and promote consumption of foods to meet the nutritional needs of healthy people throughout the life cycle.
  4. Clinical Skills: Plan and implement individualized, appropriate nutrition therapy for clients.
  5. Analytical Skills: Analyze the impact of cultural and economic issues on client needs and dietetic practice.
  6. Communication: Plan, implement, and evaluate nutrition education programs for specific audiences.
  7. Ethics and Professionalism: Advocate for the provision of food and nutrition services in public policy development.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program is designed to prepare you academically to pursue a variety of nutrition-oriented careers and advanced education. The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) only when it is completed with the holistic nutrition concentration. 

Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and does not qualify an individual to sit for the examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). In addition, some states will not permit individuals to become licensed in nutrition and/or dietetics if they do not possess the RD/RDN credential. If you are interested in becoming licensed in your state, it is vital that you understand your state’s requirements for licensing prior to enrollment.

Because regulations change frequently and vary by state, prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

In order to pursue examinations and/or preprofessional experiences, you may be required to present documentation of a health assessment/physical examination, immunization records, drug screening results, and/or a background check. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have met all requirements prior to beginning examinations and/or preprofessional coursework/externships.

Upon completion of the program, you may be eligible for the following certifications and credentials. Please refer to the sponsor organization for specific eligibility requirements as there may be additional requirements beyond the degree program itself. Requirements vary by state. 

  • For students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with the holistic nutrition concentration only: Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition sponsored by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (https://www.nanp.org/) 
  • Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) offered by the Association of Nutrition and Food Service Professionals (https://www.anfponline.org/)
  • ServSafe offered through the National Restaurant Association (https://www.servsafe.com/)