Welcome to the web site for the ETSU undergraduate didactic program in dietetics. Our mission, goals and measurable outcomes are focused on providing assistance in meeting the healthcare needs of the region, and the state, by providing a cohesive, up-to-date, and pertinent program in nutrition and foods.
The Nutrition and Foods concentration provides students with a four-year program that culminates in a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. The Nutrition and Dietetics option provides students with the foundation skills and knowledge necessary to provide general nutrition education to individuals as well as to community groups. The undergraduate program in dietetics is developmentally accredited as a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.
Students who successfully complete the DPD program will receive a CADE Verification of Completion Statement and are then eligible to apply for a supervised practice program (dietetic internship). Successful completion of an accredited dietetic internship will allow students to complete the national Registration Examination to become a registered dietitian. Many exciting career opportunities await registered dietitians (RD). Students who choose not to apply for a dietetic internship also have several career options in education, sales, or public health.
Career Opportunities
Registered Dietitians have many career options:
- Clinical Dietetics: hospital inpatient and acute care
- Nutrition Support
- Intensive Care
- Pediatrics and Neonatology
- Diabetes
- Cardiology
- General Medicine
- Oncology
- Renal
- Surgery
- Obesity/Weight Management
- Consulting to Health Care Facilities
- Government Agencies and Programs
- Head Start
- School Food Service
- Coordinated School Health
- WIC
- Food and Nutrition in Industry
- Sales and Marketing
- Nutrition Education and Research
- Pharmaceutical and Food Companies
- Sports Nutrition
- Wellness
- Long-term Care
For those students who choose not to pursue a dietetic internship following completion of the DPD program, several career options exist:
- WIC Nutrition Educator
- Lactation Consultant
- Agricultural Extension Service
- Medical-Nutrition Sales
- Food Service Director
Refer to the Registered Dietitian Information Sheet for more information about career opportunities in dietetics.
A Nutrition and Foods Minor is also available. See the Minor Programs of Study webpage for information about this option.
Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree and who wish to become registered dietitians are required to complete the didactic program in dietetics (DPD) course work. Following the completion of this coursework, students receive a CADE Verification of Completion Statement and are then eligible to apply for a supervised practice program (dietetic internship).
Please review the following links for information about admission to the university, tuition, textbook costs, housing, the academic calendar, and graduation requirements.
The following policies and procedures are described in the ETSU Spectrum Student Handbook:
- Civil rights and institutional equal opportunity programs
- Withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees
- Protection and privacy of information
- Access to personal files
- Access to student support services:
- Health services
- Counseling and testing services
- Financial aid resources
- Liability for safety in travel to and from assigned areas
- Grievance procedures
- Disciplinary/termination procedures
Faculty Contact:
Deborah L. Slawson, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N.
Assistant Professor,
Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics
East Tennessee State University
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Box 70671
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone: 423-439-7538
Fax: 423-439-7539
E-mail: slawson@etsu.edu
