In this major, students explore nutrition through clinical and management courses and prepare for postgraduate training required to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). With an increased emphasis on the role of food and nutrition in treating and preventing disease, employment of registered dietitians is projected to grow faster than other occupations.
Registered dietitian nutritionists work in a wide variety of settings, including health care, business and industry, community and public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice. Many organizations, particularly those in medical and health care settings, require RDN credentials.
Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences
Courses expose students to clinical problem-solving, assessing medical record data, evaluating food intake, planning modified diets, and reviewing medical and research literature related to certain diseases or conditions. This training develops critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills needed by dietetic interns and registered dietitians.
Build community and networks
The Dietetics and Nutrition Club is an academic and professional registered student organization offering a variety of opportunities for members to participate in networking events, volunteer activities, and community outreach opportunities.
Customize a path of study
Students in the program can pursue Honors in Research through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Many students enhance their major by participating in a certificate program, including Global Health.
Make a strong start
First-year seminar courses help students maximize their education, develop professional skills, and make informed decisions about their classes, internships, and career paths.
Gain global perspective
Several courses emphasize global health and world nutrition, and UW–Madison offers more than a dozen study abroad and exchange programs that include a nutritional science component. Students can explore studying abroad utilizing the Nutrition and Dietetics Major Advising Page. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs.
How to Get in
Admission to Nutritional Sciences BS Nutrition and Dietetics Degree Program
Students will have Pre-Dietetics classification until admission to the nutrition and dietetics degree program (Dietetics classification) as defined by completion of prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of ≥2.0, as well as, an overall GPA of ≥2.0. Students must apply for and be admitted to the program no later than the end of the semester in which the student accumulates 86 credits, which is senior standing. Department approval is required for admission. Students who are not admitted to the program by the time they accumulate 86 credits will not be allowed to continue in the Pre-Dietetics classification.
To be admitted to the BS Nutritional Sciences nutrition and dietetics program, the following requirements must be met effective fall 2019:
- A minimum overall cumulative GPA of ≥2.0. Cumulative GPA will be based on UW–Madison courses only.
- Students must have completed one semester at UW–Madison before applying.
- A minimum mean GPA of ≥2.0 in the following required prerequisite courses:
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: 5-9 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry IIAdvanced General Chemistry Select one of the following: 5 Animal Biology
and Animal Biology LaboratoryIntroductory Biology ANAT&PHY 335 Physiology 5 NUTR SCI 332 Human Nutritional Needs 3 Select one of the following: 3-4 Introduction to Psychology General Microbiology Basic Statistics for Psychology Statistics for Sociologists I Introduction to Statistical Methods Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences Workplace Writing and Communication
Limited Enrollment
Admission to the DPD program is competitive, as enrollment is limited by accreditation standards; students meeting the minimum criteria are not guaranteed admission.
Policy Applicability
This policy is applicable to undergraduate students entering or transferring into Pre-Dietetics classification fall 2018 and beyond. Students who have already completed a college degree (BS or BA) may choose to pursue the Nutritional Sciences nutrition and dietetics program as either a second degree candidate, or as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) completer. Because they have already completed a bachelor’s degree, second-degree candidates and DPD completers are not required to follow this progression policy. Progression for these students will be closely monitored by the program coordinator.
GPA Calculation
Any transfer course from another university that will be used to meet the above required courses cannot be included in the GPA calculation. If the same course is taken more than once, only the grade from the last time the course was taken will be used in the GPA calculation.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
CALS Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits |
|
| Quality of Work | Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. |
| Residency | Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. |
In addition to the university's general requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements, CALS college requirements, or major requirements. A course may count toward university requirements and a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, a course counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.
CALS College Requirements
| CALS First-Year Seminar | 1 credit. See the full list of eligible courses below or use this link: https://go.wisc.edu/calsfirstyearseminars |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 credits with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
| Communication A | Complete either:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning A | Complete either:
|
| Introductory Chemistry | Complete one: |
| CALS International Comparisons | 3 credits. See the full list of eligible courses below or use this link: https://go.wisc.edu/calsinternationalcomparisons |
| Communication B | 1 course with the Communication B designation. |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 1 course with the Quantitative Reasoning B designation. |
| Biological Science | 5 credits with the Biological Science designation. |
| Additional Science | 3 credits with the Biological, Physical, or Natural Science designations. |
| Science Breadth | 3 credits with the Biological, Physical, Natural, or Social Science designations. |
| Humanities | 6 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation. |
| Social Sciences | 3 credits with the Social Sciences designation. |
| Capstone Learning Experience | Each major articulates the required capstone learning experience. |
CALS First-Year Seminars
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AN SCI 135 | Grand Challenges and Career Opportunities in Animal and Dairy Sciences | 1 |
| BIOCHEM 100 | Biochemistry First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| COUN PSY 125 | The Wisconsin Experience Seminar | 1 |
| F&W ECOL 101 | Orientation to Wildlife Ecology | 1 |
| F&W ECOL 105 | Environment, Pollutants, and You | 3 |
| GENETICS 155 | Freshman Seminar in Genetics | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 100 | Exploring Biology | 2 |
| INTEGSCI 140 | Exploring Service in STEM | 1 |
| INTER-AG 155 | Issues in Agriculture, Environment, and Life Sciences | 1 |
| LSC 155 | First-Year Seminar in Science Communication | 1 |
| MICROBIO 150 | Microbiomes and Microbiology - First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| PLANTSCI/AGROECOL 100 | First-Year Seminar in Agroecology and Plant Science | 1 |
| PL PATH 155 | Food Frontlines: Security, Sustainability, and Survival | 1 |
| SOIL SCI 155 | First-year Seminar in Soil and Environmental Sciences | 1 |
| Learning Community/Student Group Courses | ||
| The following learning community/student group courses are approved as CALS First-Year Seminars. | ||
| COUN PSY 117 | PEOPLE First Year Seminar | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 110 | BioHouse Seminar: Biology for the 21st Century | 1 |
| INTER-AG 117 | GreenHouse Roots Seminar | 1 |
| INTER-AG 140 | CALS QuickStart: Foundations | 1 |
| INTER-AG 175 | WISE Seminar | 1 |
CALS International Comparisons
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The 3 credit requirement may be fulfilled as either a stand-alone 3 credit course or as a set of courses as listed below. | ||
| A A E/ENVIR ST 244 | The Environment and the Global Economy | 4 |
| A A E 319 | The International Agricultural Economy | 3 |
| A A E/NUTR SCI 350 | World Hunger and Malnutrition | 3 |
| A A E 352 | Global Health: Economics, Natural Systems, and Policy (approved for enrollments Summer 2021 and later) | 4 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 374 | The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 473 | Economic Growth and Development in Southeast Asia | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 474 | Economic Problems of Developing Areas | 3 |
| A A E/ECON/INTL BUS 462 | Latin American Economic Development | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 477 | Agricultural and Economic Development in Africa | 3 |
| AGROECOL 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 370 | Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations (approved for enrollments Summer 2021 and later) | 3-4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540 | Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | 3 |
| CSCS 500 | Global Health and Communities: From Research to Praxis | 3 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENTOM/ENVIR ST 201 | Insects and Human Culture-a Survey Course in Entomology | 3 |
| ENTOM/ENVIR ST 205 | Our Planet, Our Health (approved for enrollments Fall 2026 and later) | 3 |
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 371 | Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST 100 | Forests of the World (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360 | Extinction of Species | 3 |
| LSC 251 | Science, Media and Society (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| PL PATH/BOTANY 123 | Plants, Parasites, and People | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 370 | World Vegetable Crops | 3 |
| The following study abroad courses fulfill the CALS International Comparisons requirement. Only the specific course numbers and titles listed, including Topics titles (in parentheses), are approved to meet the CALS International Comparisons requirement. | ||
| BIOCHEM 307 | Study Abroad: Introduction to Biological Sciences Research in Japan (approved for enrollments Fall 2026 and later) | 3 |
| NUTR SCI/INTER-AG 421 | Global Health Field Experience (UW Mobile Clinics and Health Care in Uganda) | 3 |
| INTER-AG 321 & INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Study Abroad Pre-Departure Seminar and Global Health Field Experience (UW Global Health Community Health and Asset-Based Community Development in Sri Lanka) | 3 |
| INTER-AG 321 & INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Study Abroad Pre-Departure Seminar and Global Health Field Experience (UW Agriculture, Health and Nutrition in Uganda) | 3 |
| INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Global Health Field Experience (UW Health, Education and Tanzanian Culture) | 3 |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| Complete one of the following (or may be satisfied by placement exam. Note that placement into MATH 114 does not guarantee that credit has been earned for MATH 112) | 3-5 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Basic Statistics for Psychology | ||
| Statistics for Sociologists I | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Methods | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 5-9 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Biochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Biology | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 5 | |
| Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms and Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | ||
| Foundation | ||
| ANAT&PHY 335 | Physiology | 5 |
| PSYCH 202 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| GEN BUS 310 | Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors | 3 |
| GEN BUS 360 | Workplace Writing and Communication | 3 |
| Core | ||
| FOOD SCI 301 | Introduction to the Science and Technology of Food | 3 |
| FOOD SCI 437 | Food Service Operations | 4 |
| NUTR SCI 200 | Professional Skills in Dietetics | 1 |
| NUTR SCI 332 | Human Nutritional Needs | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 431 | Nutrition in the Life Span | 3 |
| BIOCHEM/NUTR SCI 510 | Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 540 | Community Nutrition and Health Equity | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 631 | Clinical Nutrition I | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 632 | Clinical Nutrition II | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| NUTR SCI 500 | Undergraduate Capstone Seminar Laboratory | 1 |
| NUTR SCI 641 | Applications in Clinical Nutrition I | 1 |
| NUTR SCI 642 | Applications in Clinical Nutrition II | 1 |
| Total Credits | 70-77 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Obtains and can articulate specialized knowledge in the field of nutritional sciences and dietetics along with an education broad enough to meet the challenges of future careers and opportunities.
- Obtains and can articulate foundational knowledge in areas relevant to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner through both written and oral presentations.
- Demonstrates quantitative literacy in math and statistics relevant to nutritional sciences and dietetics.
- Demonstrates the ability to think critically and creatively, to synthesize, analyze, and integrate ideas for decision making and problem solving.
- Develops the skills for life-long learning and is capable of locating, interpreting, and critically evaluating professional literature and current research.
- Develops a global perspective and an appreciation for the interdependencies among individuals and their workplaces, communities, environments, and world; and an understanding of the interrelationships between science and society.
- Develops a respect for truth, a tolerance for diverse views, and a strong sense of personal and professional ethics.
Four-Year Plan
Sample Four-Year Plan—Nutritional Sciences Nutrition and Dietetics Degree
Students must complete at least 120 total credits to be eligible for graduation.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 103 or MATH 112 | 3-4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| General Education | 3 | PSYCH 202 | 3-4 |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 | 3 |
| General Education | 3-4 | BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102 | 2 |
| Elective (NUTR SCI 132 recommended) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 13-15 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 341 | 3 | NUTR SCI 332 | 3 |
| MICROBIO 101 or 303 | 3 | ANAT&PHY 335 | 5 |
| MICROBIO 102 or 304 | 2 | GEN BUS 360 or 310 | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | Statistics Requirement | 3-4 |
| Electives | 3-4 | ||
| 14-15 | 14-15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FOOD SCI 301 | 3 | NUTR SCI 431 | 3 |
| GEN BUS 310 or 360 | 3 | NUTR SCI/BIOCHEM 510 | 3 |
| BIOCHEM 501 or 301 | 3 | NUTR SCI 540 | 3 |
| Electives | 6-7 | CALS International Comparisons | 3 |
| General Education | 3-4 | ||
| 15-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NUTR SCI 200 | 1 | NUTR SCI 632 | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 631 | 3 | NUTR SCI 642 | 1 |
| NUTR SCI 641 | 1 | Electives | 11 |
| FOOD SCI 437 | 4 | ||
| NUTR SCI 500 | 1 | ||
| Electives | 6 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 118-125 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising
Students are assigned a professional advisor who assists them with building their personalized Wisconsin Experience — including a strong curriculum to match student interests — and provides advising on career paths including graduate school or pursuing advanced degrees in the health sciences.
Professors provide mentorship to students in the program through work on faculty-led research, including learning research paper- and grant-writing skills, communicating about scientific concepts, and presenting research results to different audiences.
Career Opportunities
Alumni of the program are working as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), clinical nutritionists, physician assistants, nutrition directors and counselors, and health coaches. RDNs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, colleges, wellness programs, and nursing homes, as well as in public health agencies, the food industry, and research labs. See the Certification/Licensure tab to learn more about the requirements to become an RDN.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers more information on career paths in dietetics.
Students can connect with CALS Career Services to explore various career paths and opportunities.
Wisconsin Experience
Student organizations
The Dietetics and Nutrition Club (DNC), open to undergraduate and graduate students, hosts biweekly evening meetings featuring speakers on many topics related to nutrition. The group also assists students in finding volunteer and job opportunities in the field of nutrition.
Students can join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, providing public information on advocacy, leadership, career development, dietetics resources, position, and practice papers.
Community engagement and volunteering
Students in the program volunteer throughout the community on projects related to nutrition and food through student organizations like Slow Food UW or the Campus Food Shed. Several students have developed their own community projects to educate people about nutrition and to fight food insecurity.
Global engagement
Faculty and students in the program have many connections with global activities. The UW Mobile Clinic and Health Care in Uganda study abroad program provides students an opportunity to visit Uganda and learn about nutrition and public health. The Village Health Project student organization grew out of students traveling to Uganda on UW–Madison programs and supports ongoing public health projects in the region.
Research experience
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in independent research in labs to learn research techniques. Students can expand their scientific knowledge outside of the classroom and contribute to ongoing papers, research, and discoveries. These experiences lead some students to pursue graduate studies in research after graduation. Read more about faculty research opportunities.
Certification/Licensure
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Credential
A Nutritional Sciences BS in Nutrition and Dietetics fulfills the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) portion of the DPD + Dietetic Internship pathway to become an RDN. Following completion of the Nutritional Sciences BS in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD), students must complete a supervised practicum (dietetic internship) and a master's degree to be eligible to sit for the national RDN examination.
For more information see: https://www.eatright.org/become-an-rdn.
Resources and Scholarships
The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences awards tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for students each year, and Nutrition and Dietetics students are also eligible for scholarships in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation provides dietetic scholarships to students. Visit eatrightfoundation.secure-platform.com/a for more information.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2027.