Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences

Degree Programs |  Undergraduate Courses |  Student Dietetic Association |  Financial Assistance |  Frequently Asked Questions |  Recency of Education

1. What should I major in?

In the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, there are three majors offered at the undergraduate level: Dietetics and Institutional Administration - includes the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) courses that prepare a student to become a registered dietitian. Food & Nutrition in Business and Industry - for students who desire careers with food manufacturers, distributors or other business or foodservice organization. Nutrition - has more science courses and is designed for students who plan to enter a professional program ( such as medicine or physical therapy) or earn an advanced degree in a scientific field.

2. What do I need to do to become a registered dietitian?

You need to complete a B.S. in Dietetics and Institutional Administration, complete a supervised Dietetic Internship, and pass the national registration exam for dietetics.

3. Can I transfer hours from another school?

Yes. Courses at 1000 or 2000 level can be taken at a community college for up to 72 hours of credit. An unlimited number of hours may be transferred from a 4-year university, but 30 out of the last 36 hours must be taken at TWU. The Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences has transfer agreements with Collin County Community College, Dallas County Community College, Tarrant County Community College and the Art Institute of Dallas. See NFS web site at: www.twu.edu/hs/nfs.

4. What is a full course load?

Twelve to fifteen semester credit hours is considered a normal load for undergraduates

5. How many hours do I need to graduate?

124 hours or more, depending on your major and degree plan.

6. When and how do I file a degree plan for graduation?

A degree plan should be filed during the second semester of your junior year and no later than 1 year before graduation. Obtain a degree plan form from the NFS Department Office. Fill it out and submit to your advisor for approval. It will then go to the Registrar's Office for audit. You will receive a letter stating whether you meet requirements for graduation.

7. How and when do I apply for graduation?

Obtain a form from the Registrar’s Office and file it early in the semester you plan to graduate. Deadline is usually within the first week of the semester.

8. How do I obtain verification of meeting Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements?

Students who complete course requirements for the B.S. in Dietetics and Institutional Administration are eligible to receive a DPD verification statement. Just prior to graduation, the student should fill out the appropriate form which can be obtained from the departmental secretary in the NFS office. Students who already have a Bachelor's degree in nutrition or another field should check with the DPD program director at TWU on what additional courses are required.

9. Is there a minimum GPA that I need to maintain in the NFS Department?

Yes, for the Dietetics and Institutional Administration degree. You must have at least a "B" in NFS 1301,1302 and 2323, and a "C" in CHEM 1011, 1013 & CHEM 1021, 1023 before enrolling in NFS 3000 level courses or above.

10. If I receive a low grade for a course, is there any way I can raise it?

Yes, you can register for the course another semester and repeat the work. If you receive a higher grade, it will automatically replace the earlier grade for purposes of calculating the GPA.