Mission Statement

 The mission of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition is to prepare practitioners and applied researchers in dietetics, food, and nutrition to build a healthier society.

 Our objectives focus on three synergistic areas: 

• Education of dietetics and nutrition majors who are competent, intellectually curious professionals and leaders, and non-majors who value the role of nutrition in overall health.

• Evidenced-based research to advance the profession; to position nutrition in health promotion, disease prevention/treatment, food/foodservice; and to integrate food and nutrition services into the mainstream of health, and home and community-based settings.

• Community/professional service to foster healthy lifestyles through better nutrition over the life course of diverse populations.

The Vision

The vision of the department is to be recognized for excellence in dietetics and applied nutrition research, which serves as the catalyst for quality education and responsive community service.

• Conduct research to advance the profession of dietetics and nutrition, promote nutrition as a critical part of disease treatment/prevention and integrate food and nutrition services in clinical, home, and community-based social and health networks, and

• Train dietetics and nutrition professionals who are sensitive to the needs of a culturally diverse population. 

The Department of Dietetics and Nutrition supports its program mission by offering two accredited programs preparing dietetic students to become the dietetic professionals of the future.  Each program is committed to prepare students to pursue excellence in professional and scholarly endeavors. The programs prepare competent and intellectually curious nutrition professionals and leaders.  The students are prepared for the challenges in an era of globalization, scientific and technological advances and demographic changes.  Students will have the knowledge and skills to pursue entry-level practice or a dietetic internship while others will continue to further their education in graduate programs.