Human Biology
Nutritional Science/Dietetics
The field of Nutritional Science / Dietetics focuses on the specific role that food and nutrition have in human health and the prevention and treatment of disease throughout the lifespan. This includes studying the molecular level of how nutrients influence metabolism, the social and psychological factors that influence dietary practices and disease risk in individuals and communities, and factors that influence the nutritional quality, quantity and availability of food.
Our Nutrition Science / Dietetics program is embedded within the Human Biology Department. This gives our students a solid, interdisciplinary foundation in the biological, physiological, developmental, and genetic aspects of human organisms with strong emphasis on the role of nutrients and food in human health and disease. To learn more about what our Human Biology program has to offer, please click on the "Career and Graduate Info" tab on the left-hand side of this webpage.
The nutritional science/dietetics program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay) is a fully accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DP), which meets the dietetic education requirements as specified by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 0f the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Successful completion of our undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics will result in receipt of a verification statement and eligibility to apply to an accredited dietetic internship in pursuit of becoming a registered dietitian. Dietitians who are employed in the state of Wisconsin are also eligible to become a Certified Dietitian (CD) under current state licensure.
Our Accreditation Status and ACEND Information
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Our program adheres to the knowledge, skills and competencies put forth by ACEND, which ensures the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.
Last Accreditation 2011
Next Accreditation Review 2015
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
(312)899-0040 ext 5400
www.eatright.org/ACEND
Students who successfully complete the UW-Green Bay Nutritional Science/Dietetics program earn a bachlor's degree in Human Biology with a Nutritional Science/Dietetics Emphasis.
What can I do with this degree?
Become a Registered Dietitian (RD) Professional:
Become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR):
Go on to Graduate School:
Students with this degree also pursue graduate school in a wide variety of disciplines such as, nutrition research in disease prevention/intervention, nutrient metabolism, nutrient-gene interactions, public health and policy, international nutrition, and epidemiology.Employment Opportunities:
Students with this Bachelor's degree also go directly into the workforce in such areas as, food service, the food industry/agribusiness, the health care field, government agencies and public health.
A registered dietitian is a recognized expert in food and nutrition. RDs work in health care settings, such as hospitals, health clinics, long-term care facilities and private practice. In these settings RDs provide medical nutrition therapy in the treatment and prevention of disease. In addition, many RDs work at the local, state, federal or international level in community and public health agencies. RDs also work in food and nutrition research in academic, or corporate settings. Other opportunities for employment include industry and food service.
How do I become a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
To become a Registered Dietitian you must first complete an accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DP), such as our dietetics program from which you earn a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Successful completion of the DP undergraduate program also provides you with the necessary verification statement. This allows you to apply to an accredited Dietetic Internship program. Here is a state-by-state listing of accredited dietetic internship programs. Following successful completion of a Dietetic Internship you are then eligible to sit for the national examination for Registered Dietitian credentialing. Successful completion of the examination credentials you as a Registered Dietitian.
For additional information on becoming a Registered Dietitian and Dietetic internships please go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
**Important Information: For the past several years, the numbers of students successfully completing accredited undergraduate Didactic Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics nationwide, and applying to Dietetic Internships has been outpacing the number of available internship positions. As a result, competition for internships is fierce. Currently, the percentage of eligible persons (i.e., persons successfully completing an undergraduate DP program and applying to Dietetic Internships) that are matched (accepted) into a Dietetic internship each year is approximately 50%.
More information about the current state of supply and demand for dietetic internships.
Information about improving your chances at getting a dietetic internship position.
Many DTRs work with RDs in health care facilities assisting RDs with providing medical nutrition therapy. DTRs also work in food service, community and public health settings providing nutrition counseling.
How do I become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR)?
To become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) you must first complete either, 1) an accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DP), such as our dietetics program from which you earn a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement; or 2) an accredited Dietetic Technician program earning at least an associate’s degree. You are then eligible to take the national Dietetic Technician, Registered exam. Successful completion of this exam credentials you as a Dietetic Technician, Registered.
For additional information on becoming a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR), the DTR exam and work opportunities to go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Additional information about career and educational opportunities
- The Society for Nutrition Education developed a handbook to help people decide on career paths in nutrition. "Untangling the Nutrition Web in Career Development" can be found at www.nutritioncareers.com. An extensive chart in the book visually shows how skills and interests in nutrition can be paired with many other skills and interests to create very unique careers. You may borrow this book from the UW-Green Bay DP Director.
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics web site contains a great deal of information about career opportunities for professionals in the Nutrition Sciences/ Dietetics field
- The American Society for Nutritional Science. From this page there are direct links to graduate programs in each state. The best thing to do is to then contact the programs that interest you.
For more information contact:
Sara Schmitz, MS, RD
Director of Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
Phone: (920) 465-2332
Office: LS 423
If you need to set up an appointment or contact an advisor, go to the advisors page.