BS in Nutrition at Boston University

The nutrition program has three curricular tracks, each of which provides a broad background in biological, chemical, and nutrition sciences. Students take core courses in the sciences during the first two years of the program in addition to humanities and social sciences courses, included in the BU Hub requirements.

• The nutrition science track provides academic preparation for those students who intend to go to graduate school in any of the life sciences, pursue medical or other professional studies, or seek employment in biomedical sciences, nutrition, or public health.
• The nutrition and health track is for students interested in pursuing careers in nutrition combined with other specialty areas such as public/global health or mass communications. The curriculum includes courses in basic science, nutrition, and food, along with courses in an area of concentration. Students interested in pursuing physician assistant (PA) education after completing their academic degree can meet prerequisite requirements for many PA programs via this track.
• The dietetics track focuses on professional practice and prepares students for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) in clinical nutrition, management, public health, research, and industry. Students who graduate with this track will have completed Boston University’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). They will be eligible to participate in the national computer matching process for Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)–accredited supervised practice programs (e.g., dietetic internships). Successful completion of a supervised practice program is required prior to taking the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In many states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD) at Boston University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

The Boston University DPD is approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the AND, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.

The mission of the Boston University Programs in Nutrition, which includes the Boston University Didactic Program in Dietetics, is to establish an inclusive environment that promotes the acquisition of knowledge, critical thinking, and effective communication to prepare graduates from diverse backgrounds for success in supervised practice leading to eligibility to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, or to enter into a graduate degree program, or a job in a health-related field.