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The Department offers the major at the undergraduate level as well as additional courses for non-majors.  It also supervises federally funded statewide nutrition education programs that offer the possibility of work experience for advanced undergraduates.  Variable credit independent study opportunities including seminars, special problems, senior honors, research experience and field-work are offered each semester, by individual arrangement with faculty.

There are three tracks in the nutrition major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that prepare students for different careers within the broad field of nutrition. Students must complete all coursework within a selected track to fulfill the requirements to earn a B.S. in Nutrition.

The Three Major Tracks are:

Dietetics

The Dietetics track (Dietetic Program in Dietetics; DPD) is for students who wish to apply for a post-graduate internship to become a Registered Dietitian (RD).  RDs are registered and licensed health care professionals who work in hospitals and other health care facilities such as nursing homes.  The Dietetics track is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association).  The track fulfills the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements, and is the first step towards becoming a RD. Application to the post-graduate dietetic internships is very competitive with an acceptance rate of 50% nationwide.

Nutrition and Health Sciences

The Nutrition and Health Sciences track prepares students to pursue careers or graduate training in nutrition, medicine, physician assistant programs, pharmacy, dentistry, and other health science related careers.  Students will be prepared to work in the health or food industries, or work in nutrition research.

Nutrition in a Global Society

The Nutrition in a Global Society track prepares students to purse careers or graduate training in nutrition, public health, social work, education, and other applied professional careers.  Students will be prepared to work in community nutrition programs such as Head Start, Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC), School Meals Programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Elderly Nutrition Program, and other community-based programs. Students pursuing this track may also seek international placements in the Peace Corps or other NGOs, work in food policy or food assistance programs, or use their education to set up entrepreneurial businesses related to foods and health.