Program: Nutrition and Dietetics Major, B.S. - Metropolitan State University of Denver

Jul 09, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nutrition and Dietetics (NUD). The major includes a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) that has been granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400, acend@eatright.org.

Students may choose to be enrolled in both the Nutrition and Dietetics major and the DPD or they may choose to be only enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetics major or the DPD certificate program alone (this requires a bachelor’s degree).

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), students must complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. The accelerated BS to MS concentration is for students who plan on pursuing a Master of Science in Nutrition at MSU Denver. This option allows for 9 credits of coursework to meet the requirements of both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees and expedites program completion.

The mission of the MSU Denver Department of Nutrition is to prepare diverse students from the Denver Metropolitan area for successful careers in food, nutrition and dietetics by providing quality education that is culturally sensitive and instills a desire for life-long learning.

Student Outcomes

Integrate scientific information and translate research into practice.
Demonstrate attitudes, values and behaviors aligned with nutrition and dietetics practice.
Develop and deliver information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations.
Strategically apply principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.
Demonstrate skills and knowledge relevant to leadership potential and professional growth in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Recommended: It is recommended that students fulfill this requirement with MTH 1210 - Introduction to Statistics , which is required by the Nutrition and Dietetics major.
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: It is recommended that students fulfill this requirement by taking BIO 1080 - General Biology I , BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I , CHE 1100 - Principles of Chemistry , and/or CHE 1150 - Principles of Chemistry Laboratory , all of which are required by the Nutrition and Dietetics major.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: It is recommended that students take PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology , which is required by the Nutrition and Dietetics major.
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.

Required Courses: 70 credits

BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIO 2320 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
CHE 1100 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
CHE 1150 - Principles of Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 2100 - Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
CHE 2150 - Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
HCM 3150 - Health Care Organization and Management Credits: 3
MTH 1210 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
NUT 1800 - Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics Credits: 1
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3150 - Advanced Nutrition - Macronutrients Credits: 3
NUT 3160 - Advanced Nutrition - Micronutrients Credits: 3
NUT 3200 - Nutrition and Sports Performance Credits: 3
OR
NUT 3400 - Nutrition and Weight Management Credits: 3
NUT 3300 - Cultural Aspects of Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3500 - Food Safety Credits: 3
NUT 3700 - Nutrition Education and Counseling Credits: 3
NUT 4160 - Empowered Leadership in Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 4200 - Lifecycle Nutrition for Majors Credits: 3
NUT 4210 - Community Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 4800 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Credits: 4
RST 1200 - Basic Cooking Skills Credits: 3
PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3

Accelerated BS to MS Concentration: 9 credits

This concentration allows students in the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program who are planning to pursue the Master of Science in Nutrition program to take 9 credits of graduate program credit to accelerate the graduate program. See Department of Nutrition for additional information regarding the Accelerated BS to MS Program.

NUT 5100 Introduction to Nutrition Research Credits: 3
NUT 5110 Macronutrients in Health and Disease Credits: 3
NUT 5120 Vitamins, Minerals, and Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease Credits: 3

Senior Experience: 3 credits

NUT 4720 - Nutrition Capstone Credits: 3

Summary of Requirements

Without Concentration

General Studies Requirement	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Major Requirements	70 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Unrestricted Electives	11-26 credits
Total for the Nutrition and Dietetics Major, B.S.	120 Credits

With Concentration

General Studies Requirement	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Major Requirements	70 credits
Concentration Courses	9 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Unrestricted Electives	2-17 credits
Total for the Nutrition and Dietetics Major, B.S.	120 Credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.