David B. Falk College of Sport
Curriculum
Build a strong foundation in nutritional science through coursework in areas including:
- Chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
- Nutrition across the lifespan.
- Nutrition education and counseling.
- Research and evaluation in nutrition.
Depending on your chosen track, you’ll build on this foundation through specialized or interdisciplinary coursework aligned with your academic and professional goals.
The nutrition program's Dietetics track is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) (120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606; 800-877-1600; ext. 5400). Graduates of this program must then complete an accredited Dietetic Internship to gain eligibility for the registration exam. To obtain an internship, a student must usually have a minimum GPA of 3.4 and related work experience. Effective January 1, 2024, a master’s degree is required for eligibility for the registration examination for dietitians.
Learn more about estimated expenses and financial aid:
Students interested in becoming registered dietitian nutritionists should select the Dietetics track.
After completing the required undergraduate coursework, students must complete graduate education and accredited supervised practice to become eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.
Syracuse University offers a Nutrition Science M.A., including an accelerated B.S./M.A. option for eligible students. The Nutrition Science M.A. is designed for students seeking to become entry-level RDNs who have earned a bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisite coursework or earned a verification statement from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
Licensure/Certification: In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Review the Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement or visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website for information about state licensure requirements.
After passing the national examination and earning the credential, RDNs maintain their credential through continuing education to stay current on research, recommendations and best practices.
For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Practice Nutrition in the Community
Take nutrition to the local community by joining community partnership programs through the Syracuse University Shaw Center:
- Provide tutoring and nutrition education to elementary school students with Books & Cooks.
- Provide hands-on, nutrition-focused STEM lessons to high schoolers with Food Busters.
- Teach nutritious food choices and cooking skills to high schoolers with Cooking on the Hillside.
On campus, Syracuse University is home to more than 300 extracurricular groups, including nutrition student-led organizations such as Nutrition Education and Promotion Association (NEPA).
Experience Nutrition and Food Around the World
Syracuse University Abroad consistently ranks among the highest-quality international study programs in the country. Syracuse offers short- and long-term options in more than 60 countries, including internships, community engagement projects, and language study at all levels. In nutrition, you can study health care and families in India, food and culture in Italy, drug policy in the Netherlands, health education in South Africa, health policy in Switzerland, and social policy and public health in the United Kingdom, to name a few.
Make Your Mark in Research
As a nutrition student, you can engage in independent and faculty mentored research projects. Gain experience collecting and analyzing data. You can even publish as an author or co-author on scholarly articles and present your findings at conferences.
Hone your skills in on-campus labs using medical-grade equipment and technology that mirrors—or exceeds—what is found in medical facilities, professional sports, the military, and health and wellness settings. Our Nutrition Assessment, Consultation and Education (ACE) Center is a hands-on learning laboratory to prepare students with traditional and emerging professional competencies critical to effective nutrition practice.
Build a Career Around Nutrition, Health and Performance
Dietetics Track
The Dietetics track prepares you to continue toward the education and supervised practice requirements necessary to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). RDNs work in settings including health care, community nutrition, food service, wellness, research and sport.
Applied Nutrition Track
The Applied Nutrition track prepares you for careers and advanced study related to nutrition, human health and sport performance outside the RDN pathway. Depending on your interests and additional education or credentials, pathways may include:
- Sport nutrition and human performance.
- Medicine and other health professions.
- Public health and wellness.
- Nutrition and health-related research.
- Graduate study in exercise science, human performance and related fields.
Learn more about this program