4 + 1 PROGRAM NUTRITION AND DIETETICS BS/ HUMAN NUTRITION MS

student shaking hands in a nutrition outpatient setting

About the program

The Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences offers a 4+1 BS/MS program that allows students to complete both the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition in a total of five years of full-time study. This program allows students to complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and graduate degree required to be eligible to apply to ACEND-accredited dietetic internship programs. 

 

The 4+1 program offers three concentrations to align with students’ interest areas and future career goals:

  • Dietetics
  • Public Health
  • Health Coaching

Graduates of the Health Coaching concentration are eligible to take the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching Certification as a Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).

 

Students who do not choose one of the concentration areas may select a series of courses to meet their interests.

Career Opportunities

The 4+1 BS/MS program is the first step to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. All graduates will receive a master’s degree and a verification statement certifying completion of the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and are therefore eligible to apply to ACEND-accredited dietetic internships. Upon successful completion of the University of Delaware’s (or other) dietetic internship, students are then eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitians to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and work in areas such as:

  • Hospitals and long term care facilities
  • Sports nutrition
  • Public health
  • Foodservice management
  • Private practice
  • Business and industry

Students accepted into the 4+1 program will complete the following graduate coursework in their junior and senior years:

Courses

# Credits

HBNS 631: Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism (instead of HBNS 401: Micronutrients)

3

HBNS 611: Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism (instead of HBNS 400: Macronutrients)

3

HBNS 665: Seminar

1

 

Please see the Four-Year Plan for the complete suggested course sequence.

Students complete the remaining 25 graduate credits over the course of two academic semesters.

 

A written comprehensive examination will be administered upon completion of the first semester of the graduate year.

 

# Credits

Core Courses

 

  HBNS611: Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism

3

  HBNS631: Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism

3

  Statistics Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  Research Design Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  HBNS665: Seminar

2

  Non-Nutrition Electives

6

Field Project or Paper

 

  HBNS669: Field Project

3

Concentration Courses

 

  HBNS810: Nutrition Informatics

3

  HBNS812: Current Topics in Nutrition

3

  HBNS822: Nutrition Assessment

3

TOTAL CREDITS

32

 

 

# Credits

Core Courses

 

  HBNS611: Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism

3

  HBNS631: Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism

3

  Statistics Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  Research Design Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  HBNS665: Seminar

2

  Non-Nutrition Electives

6

Field Project or Paper

 

  HBNS669: Field Project

3

Concentration Courses

 

  HBNS608: Nutrition Program Planning and Evaluation

3

  HBNS820: Social Determinants of Health

3

  HBNS605: Chronic Disease Management

3

TOTAL CREDITS

32

 

 

# Credits

Core Courses

 

  HBNS611: Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism

3

  HBNS631: Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism

3

  Statistics Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  Research Design Elective (600 level or higher)

3

  HBNS665: Seminar

2

  Non-Nutrition Electives

6

Health Coaching Practicum

 

  HBNS664: Health Coaching Practicum

3

Concentration Courses

 

  HBNS605: Chronic Disease Management

3

  HBNS633: Health Coaching

3

  HBNS809: Health Behavior

3

TOTAL CREDITS

32

  • Current enrollment in the Nutrition and Dietetics major at UD with completion of at least 45 credits
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Minimum grade of B in STAT 200 or equivalent course
  • Personal statement that clearly explains how admission to this program will facilitate the student’s professional objectives
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Submission of the Graduate Course Approval Form
  • The GRE is not required

The application deadline is March 15 of the student’s sophomore or junior year. The application fee will be waived automatically for applicants to this 4+1 program.

Application Deadline: 

March 15th of the Student's Sophomore or Junior Year