BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with Emphasis in Nutrition and Foods
Degree Program Description
The BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Nutrition and Foods prepares students to integrate and apply the principles of biomedical, food, and nutrition sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings. Choosing this emphasis area is the first step to acceptance into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP), which is an accelerated program resulting in both a bachelor's and master's degree.
During the first three years of the curriculum, students develop a foundation in science and general education. Students must apply and be admitted to the CP to complete the final two-year course of study devoted to professional courses, supervised practice, and graduate work. Upon completion of the CP, program graduates will receive:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (emphasis in Nutrition and Foods)
- A Master of Science (Dietetics)
- All supervised practice (fieldwork) necessary to meet the requirements to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD Exam)
- A verification statement providing proof of completion
The completion of only the bachelor's degree does not allow the student to be eligible to take the RD Exam. Furthermore, it is not a didactic program in dietetics. No verification statement is given after completion of only the bachelor's degree.
Major Program Requirements
Within the emphasis of Nutrition and Foods, students can choose between two tracks: Dietetics or Food Science.
The Dietetics track is an ACEND-accredited accelerated professional program. Students who choose this track will transition seamlessly into the CP’s graduate year, assuming all application, compliance, and program requirements are obtained and maintained.
The Food Science track is for students who are pursuing a career in nutrition, but not as an RDN. Enrollment in this track prepares graduates for positions in the food industry, community nutrition, food policy, or further education.
Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology are required to complete all University graduation and degree requirements, including selected foundational courses, which may fulfill some University general education requirements.
If you are planning to transfer courses (including AP credit) and would like information on how they apply to a degree program(s), you can email CAFNRadvising@missouri.edu for general recommendations.
Students are eligible to transfer into Nutrition and Foods with a 2.0 cumulative GPA but must have a 3.0 or higher to apply to the Accelerated Master's Coordinated Program in Dietetics. You are directly admissible as a first-time college (freshman) or transfer student when you meet the University admissions requirements.
| Pre-Professional Requirements for both tracks (some may meet General Education requirements) | ||
| AGSC_COM 2220 | Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | 3 |
| or COMMUN 1200 | Public Speaking | |
| BIO_SC 1010 & BIO_SC 1020 | General Principles and Concepts of Biology and General Biology Laboratory | 5 |
| or BIO_SC 1500 | Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory | |
| BIOCHM 3630 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BIOCHM 4270 | Biochemistry | |
| CHEM 1400 & CHEM 1401 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 2030 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| or CHEM 2100 & CHEM 2110 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 2130 | Organic Laboratory I | 2 |
| CDS 2190 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ESC_PS 4170 | Introduction to Applied Statistics | 3 |
| or ABM 2225 | Statistical Analysis | |
| FINPLN 2183 | Personal and Family Finance | 3 |
| F_S 1030 | Food Science and Nutrition | 3 |
| F_S 2172 | Elements of Food Microbiology | 3 |
| or F_S 2172H | Elements of Food Microbiology - Honors | |
| F_S 3210 | Kitchen Chemistry | 3 |
| F_S 4310 | Food Chemistry and Analysis | 4 |
| HSP_MGMT 3300 | Food Production Management | 3 |
| MANGMT 3000W | Principles of Management - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| or MANGMT 3000 | Principles of Management | |
| MATH 1100 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MPP 3202 | Elements of Physiology | 5 |
| NEP 1034/1034H | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| NEP 1475 | Career Exploration in Dietetics | 1 |
| NEP 2340 | Human Nutrition I | 3 |
| NEP 2450 | Nutrition Throughout the Life Span | 3 |
| NEP 3290 | Food Service I: Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience | 1 |
| NEP 3360 | Nutritional Assessment Lab | 3 |
| NEP 3390 | Teaching and Counseling Techniques in Nutrition | 2 |
| NEP 3400 | Teaching & Counseling Techniques in Nutr. Supervised Practice Exp | 1 |
| NEP 4360 | Nutritional Assessment | 3 |
| NEP 4340 | Human Nutrition II Lecture | 3 |
| PHIL 1150 | Introductory Bioethics | 3 |
| or PHIL 2440 | Medical Ethics | |
| PSYCH 1000 | General Psychology | 3 |
| HIST 1400 | American History | 3 |
| or POL_SC 1100 | American Government | |
| or HIST 1100 | Survey of American History to 1865 | |
| or HIST 1200 | Survey of American History Since 1865 | |
| Professional Elective (choose 1 course from these options) | ||
| AFNR 2191 | International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Humanities (by approval) | 1-6 |
| BIO_SC 2200 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIO_SC 3750 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| COMMUN 3575W | Business and Professional Communication - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| F_S 4370 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| F_S 4980 | Food Quality Assurance | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2400 | Principles of Human Development | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3430 | Adolescence and Young Adulthood | 3 |
| HLTH_SCI 4400 | Culture and Health Literacy for the Health Professions | 3 |
| HLTH_SCI 4420 | Health Literacy, Decision Making and Behavior Changes | 3 |
| MICROB 3200 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology | 4 |
| MRKTNG 3000 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| NEP 1310W | Food and Cultures of the World - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| NEP 2460 | Eating Disorders | 3 |
| PEA_ST 1050W | Introduction to Peace Studies - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| SOCIOL 3430 | The Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SOCIOL 3440 | Sociology of Health | 3 |
| SOC_WK 4395 | Death, Grief and Loss | 3 |
| SOC_WK 4480 | Direct Practice with Older Adults | 3 |
| STAT 3000-4000 level course | ||
| Areas of Competence | ||
| Dietetics Track | ||
| MPP 4204 | Medical Pharmacology | 4 |
| NEP 3370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I: Supervised Practice Experience | 3 |
| NEP 3590 | Community Nutrition Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience | 1 |
| NEP 4290 | Food Serv. II: Adv. Food Service Manage. Supervised Practice Exp | 2 |
| NEP 4385 | Professional Development I | 1 |
| NEP 4590 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NEP 4950 | Capstone: Research in Nutritional Sciences | 2 |
| NEP 4951W | Nutrition Research Communication - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| NEP 7370/4370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| PSYCH 3120 | Human Learning (or any 3000 or 4000-level Psychology course with approval) | 3 |
| P_HLTH 8300 | Health Care in the United States | 3 |
| Food Science Track | ||
| F_S 4970W | Food Product Development - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| NEP 4385 | Professional Development I | 1 |
| NEP 4590 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NEP 4370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| or NEP 7370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | |
| PSYCH 3110 | Theories of Learning (or any 3000 or 4000-level Psychology course with approval) | 3 |
| P_HLTH 3700 | Health Care in the United States | 3 |
| Supporting Electives for both tracks | 3 | |
| Select 1 course from the list below. | ||
| AFNR 2191 | International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Humanities (by approval) | 1-6 |
| ABM 4215 | Community Food Systems | 3 |
| BIO_SC 2200 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIO_SC 3750 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| COMMUN 3575W | Business and Professional Communication - Writing Intensive (WI section only) | 3 |
| F_S 4370 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| F_S 4050 | Zero Hunger Challenge | 3 |
| or F_S 4050H | Zero Hunger Challenge - Honors | |
| F_S 4311 | Investigation of Food Properties | 3 |
| F_S 4315 | Food Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
| or F_S 4315W | Food Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory - Writing Intensive | |
| F_S 4980 | Food Quality Assurance | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3430 | Adolescence and Young Adulthood | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2400 | Principles of Human Development | 3 |
| or H_D_FS 2400W | Principles of Human Development - Writing Intensive | |
| HLTH_SCI 4400 | Culture and Health Literacy for the Health Professions | 3 |
| HLTH_SCI 4420 | Health Literacy, Decision Making and Behavior Changes | 3 |
| MICROB 3200 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology | 4 |
| MANGMT 4201W | Topics in Management - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| MRKTNG 3000 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| NEP 1310 | Food and Cultures of the World | 3 |
| or NEP 1310W | Food and Cultures of the World - Writing Intensive | |
| NEP 2460 | Eating Disorders | 3 |
| NEP 4970 | PANHP Capstone: Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| PEA_ST 1050W | Introduction to Peace Studies - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| SOCIOL 3430 | The Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SOCIOL 3440 | Sociology of Health | 3 |
| SOCIOL 4210 | Aging and the Life Course | 3 |
| SOC_WK 4390 | Helping Strategies With Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| SOC_WK 4395 | Death, Grief and Loss | 3 |
| SOC_WK 4480 | Direct Practice with Older Adults | 3 |
| Additional Electives for Food Science Track | ||
| F_S 4199 | Food Industry Senior Seminar | 1 |
| F_S 4380 | Sensory Analysis of Food and Beverages | 3 |
| F_S 4941 | Internship in Food Science | 1-6 |
| F_S 4970W | Food Product Development - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| MPP 4204 | Medical Pharmacology | 4 |
| NEP 3590 | Community Nutrition Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience | 1 |
| NEP 4290 | Food Serv. II: Adv. Food Service Manage. Supervised Practice Exp | 2 |
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Dual enrollment: counts toward graduate level
Accelerated BS to MS in Dietetics
The University of Missouri’s program prepares graduates to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).
Completion of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Missouri results in both bachelor’s and master’s degrees over a 5-year period:
• Three years of prerequisites. This is considered the pre-dietetics sequence.
• Two years in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Coursework includes traditional and distance education at the University of Missouri, Columbia campus. Supervised practice experiences can be completed in Columbia or the surrounding areas. All didactic and supervised practice experiences meet the requirements set by ACEND. Successful completion of the program meets the exam requirements set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information on becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
The two years of the CP is a continuous program, meaning that students who maintain academic and professional requirements will transition seamlessly to the graduate curriculum. No GRE is required. The graduate curriculum is non-thesis.
This program is not a stand-alone master’s program. It is not designed for individuals who already have their RDN. Students in this program complete two years in the CP, regardless of whether they have a previous bachelor's or master’s degree.
Total credits required for graduation: 152
Total undergraduate credits: 122
Total graduate credits:30
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
| Fifth Year Courses (Master's year) | ||
| AN_SCI 8420 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| NEP 7380 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| NEP 7381 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II: Supervised Practice Experience | 5 |
| NEP 8380 | Medical Nutrition Therapy III | 3 |
| NEP 8975 | Dietetics Supervised Practice Experience | 10 |
Requirements for Non-Thesis
Two comprehensive exams will be administered during year five.
Admission Requirements:
Admission to the Accelerated Master's Coordinated Program in Dietetics is selective and requires an application. Detailed information on this can be found in the handbook on the program website.
Note: Admission is limited to a maximum of 20 students per year.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
Note: Course requirements may change as course offerings change and the program is required to meet accreditation standards.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| BIO_SC 1500 or 1010 and 1020 | 5 | CHEM 1400 | 3 | ||
| F_S 1030 | 3 | CHEM 1401 | 1 | ||
| MATH 1100 | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | ||
| NEP 1034 or 1034H | 3 | PSYCH 1000 | 3 | ||
| NEP 1475 | 1 | Humanities (PHIL 1150 or PHIL 2440 recommended) | 3 | ||
| HIST or POL_SC course | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| CHEM 2030 | 3 | BIOCHM 3630 | 3 | Humanities/Study Abroad | 3 |
| CHEM 2130 | 2 | CDS 2190 | 3 | ||
| COMMUN 1200 or AGSC_COM 2220 | 3 | F_S 3210 | 3 | ||
| MPP 3202 | 5 | NEP 2340 | 3 | ||
| FINPLN 2183 | 3 | NEP 2450 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | 3 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| F_S 4310 | 4 | ESC_PS 4170 or ABM 2225 | 3 | ||
| NEP 3360 | 3 | F_S 2172 | 3 | ||
| NEP 4340 | 3 | MANGMT 3000W | 3 | ||
| NEP 4360 | 3 | NEP 3290 | 1 | ||
| Supporting Elective | 3 | NEP 3390 | 2 | ||
| NEP 3400 | 1 | ||||
| NEP 4280 | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 16 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| MPP 4204 | 4 | NEP 3370 | 3 | ||
| NEP 3590 | 1 | NEP 4951W | 3 | ||
| NEP 4590 | 3 | NEP 7370 | 3 | ||
| NEP 4290 | 2 | Supporting Elective | 3 | ||
| NEP 4385 | 1 | Psychology 3000-level or higher (with approval) | 3 | ||
| NEP 4950 | 2 | ||||
| 13 | 15 | ||||
| Fifth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| AN_SCI 8420 | 3 | NEP 8380 | 3 | ||
| NEP 7380 | 3 | NEP 8975 | 10 | ||
| NEP 7381 | 5 | ||||
| P_HLTH 8300 | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 13 | ||||
| Total Credits: 152 | |||||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.