University of Arizona Nutrition Degree

About the Program

College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences

The University of Arizona offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics that prepares students for careers in health, wellness, and dietetics.

This ACEND-accredited program requires 120 credits to graduate and is structured for flexible learning through fall, spring, or summer entry terms.

Curriculum

The curriculum covers nutritional biology, metabolism, food science, medical nutrition therapy, community health, and food service management. Students also complete lab courses, counseling training, and experiential learning components.

NSC 170C1: Nutrition, Food, & You
Introduces basic nutrition concepts, focusing on the relationship between food, health, and disease prevention for individuals and populations.

NSC 225: Foundational Skills in Nutritional Sciences
Covers core skills such as nutrition calculations, dietary analysis, and basic assessment to support nutrition planning and adequacy evaluation.

NSC 260: Nutrition Communication and Scientific Literacy
Teaches students to interpret and communicate nutrition science effectively across platforms such as social media, presentations, and scientific settings.

NSC 301: Nutrition and the Life Cycle
Explores nutrient needs and physiological changes across all life stages, from pregnancy through aging.

NSC 308: Nutrition and Metabolism
Examines how nutrients influence metabolic and physiological functions at the cellular and system level, with links to health and disease.

NSC 325: Foundations of Medical Nutrition Therapy
Introduces the nutrition care process and applies medical nutrition therapies for obesity, and enteral and parenteral nutrition using standardized terminology.

NSC 325L: Foundations of Medical Nutrition Therapy Lab
Provides practical training in physical assessments, patient interviewing, and nutrition-focused exams to support clinical care planning.

NSC 351R: Fundamentals of Food Science
Covers basic food science principles, including composition, preparation, and processing.

NSC 351L: Fundamentals of Food Science Lab
Offers hands-on experiments in food preparation and sanitation practices that support lecture content.

NSC 358R: Institutional Food Management
Focuses on food service operations, including large-scale food prep, menu planning, procurement, and staff management.

NSC 358L: Institutional Food Management Lab
Applies concepts from NSC 358R in a practical setting through supervised lab-based experience.

NSC 395A: Experiential Learning in Nutritional Sciences
Provides field-based learning to apply academic knowledge in professional nutrition settings.

NSC 395D: Earning the RDN Credential
Guides students through the dietetics application process, including program research, writing personal statements, and planning for eligibility.

NSC 396A: Survey of Nutrition Careers
Introduces students to a variety of career options within the nutrition and dietetics field.

NSC 408: Nutritional Biology
Covers nutrient structure and function, digestion, metabolism, gene regulation, and ecological aspects of nutrition in humans and animals.

NSC 420: Nutrition Education & Counseling
Focuses on practical skills for counseling individuals and groups, including interviewing techniques and dietary assessments.

NSC 422: Weight Inclusive Counseling
Teaches counseling frameworks that support body acceptance and autonomy using trauma-informed, weight-inclusive methods.

NSC 425: Medical Nutrition Therapy I
Covers medical nutrition therapy for cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary disorders using the nutrition care process.

NSC 435: Medical Nutrition Therapy II
Builds on MNT I with a focus on renal, cancer, critical care, and immune-related conditions, applying advanced therapeutic nutrition strategies.

NSC 444: Community Nutrition
Examines the role of nutrition professionals in public health, covering policy, program delivery, grant writing, and teaching in community settings.

NSC 458: Food Service Organization and Management
Reviews management principles in food service systems, emphasizing quality control, budgeting, and leadership in institutional settings.

NSC 495A: Dietetic Internship Preparation
Prepares students to apply for supervised practice programs through resume development, personal statements, and mock interviews.

More information about the curriculum here: https://catalog.arizona.edu/courses?subjectCode=NSC&page=1&cq=&sortBy=code

Outcomes

Upon graduation, students receive a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement, which is a prerequisite for applying to dietetic internships and becoming eligible to pursue Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) certification.

Graduates are prepared to design therapeutic diets, conduct nutritional assessments, and counsel individuals across diverse populations.

Tuition

With a tuition rate of $525 per credit, the estimated total cost is approximately $63,000, making it a competitively priced option for students seeking quality education in a top-ranked public university.

Career Pathways

This degree opens doors to clinical dietetics, public health, education, food service leadership, wellness coaching, and government policy roles. It also serves as a strong foundation for graduate studies in dietetics, nutrition, public health, nursing, or medicine.

For those not pursuing the RDN credential, the program supports pathways like the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) and other non-licensed nutrition careers.

Admission and Program Fit

Applicants must meet university admission standards and demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework.

The program is ideal for students who are self-directed, have an interest in health and science, and are committed to making a positive impact through nutrition.

A master’s degree is required for RDN eligibility starting January 2024, and students can streamline their path through the integrated Professional Science Master’s in Applied Nutrition.

Delivery Format

The entire program is delivered online, supported by the University of Arizona’s Tucson, Yuma, and online campuses.

This makes it accessible for students nationwide, except where restricted by state authorization. With accreditation, flexible pacing, and robust outcomes, this program is a strong choice for aspiring nutrition professionals.