Opportunities for you in the field of nutrition have never been better or more diverse. With health care costs rising and the relationship between diet and health firmly established, nutrition careers in the medical field, the community, the food industry, and private practice continue to grow in numbers.
Wherever you choose to pursue your own career, the BS in Nutrition program at Boston University will prepare you to succeed. You’ll have all the advantages of a small program within a large research university: small classes with great discussions, a collaborate student and faculty community, and lots of individual attention.
At the same time, you can access BU’s enormous libraries and extensive career resources, take elective courses in any subjects that interest you in our ten undergraduate schools and colleges, and attend seminars and conferences in the world-famous Boston medical community.
Just as importantly, you’ll have countless opportunities to get involved and gain experience. Students have participated in faculty research projects, and have joined in the activities of the Sargent Choice Nutrition Center and Health Leads. By electing the optional undergraduate practicum experience, you will be connected with – and learn directly from – nutrition professionals who work in community health, nutrition communications, and clinical nutrition settings. You’ll find other possibilities through the Nutrition Club—speakers, cooking classes, and more.
Note that the Bachelor of Science Program in Nutrition is currently designated by US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM-eligible degree program. International students in F-1 student status may be able to apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
Nutrition Science, Dietetics, or Nutrition & Health?
Sargent College’s Nutrition program offers you three tracks, each of which includes a broad background in the biological, chemical, and nutrition sciences.
The Nutrition Science Track will give you strong academic preparation for medical, dental, or veterinary school, or for graduate school in any of the life sciences. You can also go directly into entry-level employment in the biomedical sciences.
The Dietetics Track* will prepare you to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a credential required for jobs involving the provision of Medical Nutrition Therapy to individuals in healthcare settings. The Dietetics Track of the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; Telephone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400 (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend).
The Nutrition & Health Track will prepare you for a career that combines nutrition with global/public health, mass communications, exercising populations, nutrition behavior or you have the option to create your own area of concentration.
*Please note that external transfer students can enroll in the Nutrition and Health track or the Nutrition Science track but not in the Dietetics track due to professional program accreditation requirements.
Boston University Measurable Learning Outcomes
Our curriculum is guided by the achievement of specific learning outcomes. At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Recall basic food and nutrition information.
- Describe and evaluate their experience of providing nutrition care in a community setting.
- Evaluate the quality of research articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
