The Department
The nutrition major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a choice of three tracks which prepare students for a variety of health-related careers. Students must complete all coursework within a selected track to fulfill the requirements to earn a B.S. in Nutrition. Variable credit independent study opportunities, such as for research experience, and credited internships, are offered each semester by individual arrangement with faculty.
The Major
Nutrition majors choose to follow one of three tracks: Dietetics, Nutrition and Health Sciences (pre-health), Nutrition and Society. They are required to declare their track before their junior year. For all three tracks, students complete a core of science courses, which includes two or three semesters of chemistry, one semester biology, two semesters anatomy and physiology, one semester biochemistry and one semester microbiology. All students also complete a core of nutrition courses that provide an understanding of foods and their nutritional content, physiological and biochemical aspects of nutrients in the body, nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, food selection and preparation, the effects of excessive or inadequate intake of nutrients, and important issues of health and nutrition in the U.S.
The Dietetics track is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This track fulfills the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements, which allows students to enter a required accredited supervised practice program, known as a dietetic internship, and earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Prospective RDNs are required to earn a master's degree in order to take the R.D. exam, as of 2024. The UMass Amherst Nutrition Department has an accelerated master's in nutrition (4+1) program which nutrition majors can apply to their senior year, allowing them to complete their master's degree in a fifth year, before continuing on to a dietetic internship. In addition to the coursework listed above, students on the dietetics track complete medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling, community nutrition and food service management courses. Learn more about the dietetics track here.
The Nutrition and Health Sciences track prepares students to pursue careers as doctors, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists and other medical-related occupations, as well as in biomedical and nutrition science research. In addition to the core nutrition and science courses common to all nutrition majors, students on this track take additional science and laboratory courses. Students following this track easily satisfy pre-med, pre-dental and pre-PA requirements. Learn more about the nutrition and health sciences track here.
The Nutrition and Society track is the most flexible track and is designed for students who have an interest in community health, general fitness and wellness, or nutrition and health policy. This track also prepares students well for entering a post-baccalaureate nursing program or secondary school science education program or for careers and graduate training in public health, social work and similar applied professions. It pairs seamlessly with a second major or a minor, making it easy to customize your degree. Many students combine this track with psychology and go on to rewarding careers supporting individuals with eating disorders or working at the intersection of nutrition, behavior, and health. In addition to the core nutrition and science courses, students on this track take a course in community nutrition. They also choose two required elective courses guided by their particular career goals. These can include courses in public health, kinesiology, sociology, food science, sustainable agriculture, resource economics, anthropology, and hospitality and tourism management. Learn more about the nutrition and society track here.