Nutrition and Dietetics (NAD)
The Nutrition and Dietetics (NAD) major is an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
The Nutrition and Dietetics major is designed to prepare future registered dietitians nutritionists (RDNs)- health professionals who are experts in nutrition and the human diet. As part of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, our students also learn about the contributions of exercise and physical activity to human health. All students interested in the RDN credential and a career in dietetics are encouraged to choose this major.
Students may apply to the major as prospective students or transfer into the major once at Virginia Tech. To apply to the major as a prospective student, please Apply Here. Virginia Tech students should follow the Change of Major process to apply.
The mission of the DPD is to successfully prepare graduates for a dietetics supervised practice program, graduate study, and employment through academic training in an interdisciplinary environment of human nutrition, foods, exercise, and extension.
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
- "At least 65% of program gaduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation." (RE 2.1.c.1.b.1)
- "Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80% are admitted within 12 months of graduation." (RE 2.1.c.1.b.2)
- "The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%." (RE 2.1.c.1.c)
- "For those graduates who enter a dietetics supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation, 90% of dietetics supervised practice program directors will indicate that graduates were overall appropriately prepared to start the program." (RE 2.1.c.1.d)
- "At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length)." (RE 2.1.c.1.a)
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they received sufficient academic advising based on their individual goals.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they received sufficient career advising based on their individual goals.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they were overall “prepared” for their first role post program completion.
- 85% of graduates not applying to dietetics supervised practice programs will enter professional school, graduate school, or the job market within 12 months of graduation.
- 90% of dietetics supervised practice program directors will indicate that graduates were “prepared” to demonstrate professionalism.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they were “prepared” to effectively communicate in their first role post program completion.
- 90% of dietetics supervised practice program directors will indicate that graduates were “prepared” in oral communication skills.
- 90% of dietetics supervised practice program directors will indicate that graduates were “prepared” in written communication skills.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they were “prepared” in the area of critical thinking.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they were “prepared” in the area of problem-solving.
- 90% of dietetics supervised practice program directors will indicate that graduates were “prepared” in problem solving and critical thinking.
- 90% of graduates will indicate that they had sufficient opportunities to be a member of an interdisciplinary academic environment.
The curriculum is based on physical and social sciences, foods and nutrition, and emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills. Courses and varied learning experiences are designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students in this major have the goal of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and contributing to the future of the profession.
After completing this major, students pursuing the RDN credential must complete a graduate degree, an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (which may be independent or combined with a graduate degree), and then pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registered dietitian nutrition credentialing exam. RDN's must establish licensure as an RDN if required in locality of practice. RDN licensure does not exist in Virginia.
For more information on the educational process and licensure requirements to become an RDN, visit CDR RD Eligibility Requirements.
As a Didactic Program in Dietetics, students completing the Nutrition and Dietetics major are eligible to take the national CDR Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) examination upon graduation. Licensure requirements for DTRs vary by state. See the DTR Licensure Disclosure page for more information.
Application to Virginia Tech is managed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Students changing their major to Nutrition and Dietetics must meet the following standards.
- Overall GPA ≥ 3.0
- Grade of C or better in HNFE 1004 and C- or better in, CHEM 1035, CHEM 1036 and CHEM 2535 or 2514.
This ACEND accredited major opens doors for a variety of career paths in clinical and community nutrition, research, industry, and wellness. Alumni are competitive applicants for graduate and supervised practice programs in dietetics and report success in these educational pathways to becoming an RDN.
Some RDN roles of HNFE alumni include clinical dietitian, collegiate and professional sports dietitian, program manager in community nutrition and public schools, and faculty in dietetics programs.
The alumni one-year pass rate on the RDN exam consistently ranges from 90-100%. Additional program outcome data are available upon request.
The tuition and fees are established for undergraduate students as outlined on the Bursar’s Office website.
Completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics major costs vary for students due to their previous learning experiences, transfer credits, plan of study, and time to degree.
Additional Costs
- Books, materials and supplies: Required books and printing fees for course materials are estimated to be approximately $200 to $800 per semester.
- There are no course specific fees in the program.
- There are no required travel expenses for students outside of normal travel to class.
- Room and Board are established by the university and published on the Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (COA) website.
- Housing costs in Blacksburg, Virginia vary. Virginia Tech maintains the Off Campus Housing website to support students.
For information about financial aid: Scholarships and Financial Aid website.
- Students in the program are expected to follow the Virginia Tech computing, software and technology requirements.
- Students planning to take online courses should visit the Home Internet Tips page and are required to have a webcam for completing online coursework.
The Virginia Tech Academic Calendar is hosted by the Office of the University Registrar.
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Visit us in-person! There are multiple opportunities to visit campus over the year by Virginia Tech Admissions and by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where our department is housed. If you are visiting campus at an alternate time or date, you can reach out to hnfeinfo@vt.edu schedule a tour with our department.
The Nutrition and Dietetics Major is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
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The DPD is fully accredited by ACEND through 2026 and will go through the standard accreditation review process in 2025.