Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics Major and Didactic Program in Dietetics

The Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics major prepares students for careers in dietetics, food product development and evaluation, consumer services, community wellness programs, the food services industry, and school food service. This Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association (ADA) http://www.eatright.org/Public/. This major is also excellent preparation for graduate studies in nutrition or allied health professions.

Completion of the four-year didactic program in dietetics and an American Dietetics Association accredited internship which provides 900 hours of practice qualifies students to take a national examination administrated by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to become a Registered Dietitian. Registered Dietitians (RD’s) are recognized as highly qualified professionals who work in businesses, community services, hospitals, and private practice. With advanced degrees they can also conduct research and teach in higher education.

All Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics majors complete an undergraduate externship in a variety of settings including community and regional hospitals, school and university food services, the food and hospitality industry, fitness and wellness centers, and agricultural extension.

Graduates of our Didactic Program have been awarded appointments to ADA Dietetic Internships Programs throughout the country. More than half of our dietetics graduates have earned advanced degrees. One dietetics graduate is a pediatric neurologist in private practice; another is a nurse practitioner. Employers of food and nutrition graduates include both business/industry and private/governmental agencies. Employers of dietetic graduates additionally include physicians in private practice; medical-dietetic research; preventive, acute care, and extended care facilities; as well as self-employment as a consultant in private practice.

All Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics students are encouraged to join the C-N Student Dietetic Association.

Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics Externships
Students have completed externship in the following types of businesses and agencies.
            Ramada Inn
            Holiday Inn
            School Food Service
            College/University Food Service
            Tennessee Park Service
            Agricultural Extension Service
            Regional Hospitals
            University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN
            Kim Dayani Wellness Center of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
            Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center, Knoxville, TN
            Baptist Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, TN
            White Lily Foods, Knoxville, TN
            Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, GA
            St. Josephs Hospital, Atlanta, GA
            Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
            B. A. Hughes and Associates, Raleigh, RD
            Cook Children’s Medical Center, Ft. Worth, TX
            Palmetto Health Center, Columbia, SC

ADA Dietetic Internships/Preprofessional Practice Programs Appointments
Graduates in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics have been awarded ADA internships/
Preprofessional practice appointments by the following medical centers and
universities:
            University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
            Georgia Baptist, Atlanta, GA (discontinued)
            Emory University, Atlanta, GA
            University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, IL
            University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KA
            Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MT
            Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
            East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
            University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
            University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
            Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
            Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX

Employers of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetic Graduates
Graduates of the food, nutrition and dietetics program have been employed by the following types of businesses and agencies:
            Physician’s Offices
            Regional Hospitals
            Public Health Departments
            Extended Care Facilities
            Consultants in Private Practice
            Alternative Medical Research
            Foreign Mission Board
            College & University Food Service
            Agricultural Extension Service
            Food & Hospitality Industry (Southern Progress)

Careers Foods, Nutrition and Dietetic Graduates with Advanced Degrees
Graduates with advanced degrees have additional career options:
            College and University Faculty/Research
            Physicians
            Nurse Practitioners

Dietetic students performing an Experiment in their Experimental
Foods class.

Settings for Dietitians

Management– health care institutions, schools, cafeterias, restaurants

Clinical– hospitals, nursing homes, HMO’s

Community– home and health care agencies, daycare centers, health and recreation clubs

Research– government agencies, food and pharmaceutical companies, major universities and medial centers

Consultation– contract with a healthcare facility or in private practice– full or part time

Business– food and nutrition related industries