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 2220Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources3
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 3630General Biochemistry3
or BIOCHM 4270 Biochemistry
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 2030Survey of Organic Chemistry3
or CHEM 2100
CHEM 2110
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 2130Organic Laboratory I2
CDS 2190Medical Terminology3
ENGLSH 1000Writing and Rhetoric3
ESC_PS 4170Introduction to Applied Statistics3
or ABM 2225 Statistical Analysis
FINPLN 2183Personal and Family Finance3
F_S 1030Food Science and Nutrition3
F_S 2172Elements of Food Microbiology3
or F_S 2172H Elements of Food Microbiology - Honors
F_S 3210Kitchen Chemistry3
F_S 4310Food Chemistry and Analysis4
HSP_MGMT 3300Food Production Management3
MANGMT 3000WPrinciples of Management - Writing Intensive3
or MANGMT 3000 Principles of Management
MATH 1100College Algebra3
MPP 3202Elements of Physiology5
NEP 1034/1034HIntroduction to Human Nutrition3
NEP 1475Career Exploration in Dietetics1
NEP 2340Human Nutrition I3
NEP 2450Nutrition Throughout the Life Span3
NEP 3290Food Service I: Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience1
NEP 3360Nutritional Assessment Lab3
NEP 3390Teaching and Counseling Techniques in Nutrition2
NEP 3400Teaching & Counseling Techniques in Nutr. Supervised Practice Exp1
NEP 4360Nutritional Assessment3
NEP 4340Human Nutrition II Lecture3
PHIL 1150Introductory Bioethics3
or PHIL 2440 Medical Ethics
PSYCH 1000General Psychology3
HIST 1400American History3
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 2191International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Humanities (by approval)1-6
BIO_SC 2200General Genetics4
BIO_SC 3750General Microbiology3
COMMUN 3575WBusiness and Professional Communication - Writing Intensive3
F_S 4370Food Microbiology3
F_S 4980Food Quality Assurance3
H_D_FS 2400Principles of Human Development3
H_D_FS 3430Adolescence and Young Adulthood3
HLTH_SCI 4400Culture and Health Literacy for the Health Professions3
HLTH_SCI 4420Health Literacy, Decision Making and Behavior Changes3
MICROB 3200Medical Microbiology and Immunology4
MRKTNG 3000Principles of Marketing3
NEP 1310WFood and Cultures of the World - Writing Intensive3
NEP 2460Eating Disorders3
PEA_ST 1050WIntroduction to Peace Studies - Writing Intensive3
SOCIOL 3430The Sociology of Sport3
SOCIOL 3440Sociology of Health3
SOC_WK 4395Death, Grief and Loss3
SOC_WK 4480Direct Practice with Older Adults3
STAT 3000-4000 level course
Areas of Competence
Dietetics Track
MPP 4204Medical Pharmacology4
NEP 3370Medical Nutrition Therapy I: Supervised Practice Experience3
NEP 3590Community Nutrition Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience1
NEP 4290Food Serv. II: Adv. Food Service Manage. Supervised Practice Exp2
NEP 4385Professional Development I1
NEP 4590Community Nutrition3
NEP 4950Capstone: Research in Nutritional Sciences2
NEP 4951WNutrition Research Communication - Writing Intensive3
NEP 7370/4370Medical Nutrition Therapy I3
PSYCH 3120Human Learning (or any 3000 or 4000-level Psychology course with approval)3
P_HLTH 8300Health Care in the United States3
Food Science Track
F_S 4970WFood Product Development - Writing Intensive3
NEP 4385Professional Development I1
NEP 4590Community Nutrition3
NEP 4370Medical Nutrition Therapy I3
or NEP 7370 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
PSYCH 3110Theories of Learning (or any 3000 or 4000-level Psychology course with approval)3
P_HLTH 3700Health Care in the United States3
Supporting Electives for both tracks3
Select 1 course from the list below.
AFNR 2191International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Humanities (by approval)1-6
ABM 4215Community Food Systems3
BIO_SC 2200General Genetics4
BIO_SC 3750General Microbiology3
COMMUN 3575WBusiness and Professional Communication - Writing Intensive (WI section only)3
F_S 4370Food Microbiology3
F_S 4050Zero Hunger Challenge3
or F_S 4050H Zero Hunger Challenge - Honors
F_S 4311Investigation of Food Properties3
F_S 4315Food Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory3
or F_S 4315W Food Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory - Writing Intensive
F_S 4980Food Quality Assurance3
H_D_FS 3430Adolescence and Young Adulthood3
H_D_FS 2400Principles of Human Development3
or H_D_FS 2400W Principles of Human Development - Writing Intensive
HLTH_SCI 4400Culture and Health Literacy for the Health Professions3
HLTH_SCI 4420Health Literacy, Decision Making and Behavior Changes3
MICROB 3200Medical Microbiology and Immunology4
MANGMT 4201WTopics in Management - Writing Intensive3
MRKTNG 3000Principles of Marketing3
NEP 1310Food and Cultures of the World3
or NEP 1310W Food and Cultures of the World - Writing Intensive
NEP 2460Eating Disorders3
NEP 4970PANHP Capstone: Sports Nutrition3
PEA_ST 1050WIntroduction to Peace Studies - Writing Intensive3
SOCIOL 3430The Sociology of Sport3
SOCIOL 3440Sociology of Health3
SOCIOL 4210Aging and the Life Course3
SOC_WK 4390Helping Strategies With Children and Adolescents3
SOC_WK 4395Death, Grief and Loss3
SOC_WK 4480Direct Practice with Older Adults3
Additional Electives for Food Science Track
F_S 4199Food Industry Senior Seminar1
F_S 4380Sensory Analysis of Food and Beverages3
F_S 4941Internship in Food Science1-6
F_S 4970WFood Product Development - Writing Intensive3
MPP 4204Medical Pharmacology4
NEP 3590Community Nutrition Field Work/Supervised Practice Experience1
NEP 4290Food Serv. II: Adv. Food Service Manage. Supervised Practice Exp2
1

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 8420Endocrinology3
NEP 7380Medical Nutrition Therapy II3
NEP 7381Medical Nutrition Therapy II: Supervised Practice Experience5
NEP 8380Medical Nutrition Therapy III3
NEP 8975Dietetics Supervised Practice Experience10

Requirements for Non-Thesis

Two comprehensive exams will be administered during year five.     

Back to Top 

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
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO_SC 1500 or 1010 and 10205CHEM 14003 
F_S 10303CHEM 14011 
MATH 11003ENGLSH 10003 
NEP 1034 or 1034H3PSYCH 10003 
NEP 14751Humanities (PHIL 1150 or PHIL 2440 recommended)3 
 HIST or POL_SC course3 
 15 16  
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 20303BIOCHM 36303Humanities/Study Abroad3
CHEM 21302CDS 21903 
COMMUN 1200 or AGSC_COM 22203F_S 32103 
MPP 32025NEP 23403 
FINPLN 21833NEP 24503 
 16 15 3
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
F_S 43104ESC_PS 4170 or ABM 22253 
NEP 33603F_S 21723 
NEP 43403MANGMT 3000W3 
NEP 43603NEP 32901 
Supporting Elective3NEP 33902 
 NEP 34001 
 NEP 42803 
 16 16  
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MPP 42044NEP 33703 
NEP 35901NEP 4951W3 
NEP 45903NEP 73703 
NEP 42902Supporting Elective3 
NEP 43851Psychology 3000-level or higher (with approval)3 
NEP 49502  
 13 15  
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
AN_SCI 84203NEP 83803 
NEP 73803NEP 897510 
NEP 73815  
P_HLTH 83003  
 14 13  
Total Credits: 152

Back to Top

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/.

Back to Top

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

Back to Top