The Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics Department offers bachelor’s degrees in two dietetic programs that partially satisfy the requirements for becoming an R.D.—the didactic program in nutrition and dietetics (DPND) and the dietitian education program (DEP).
Download the Student General Information Handbook.
Both programs are currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Buffalo State College are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accreditied Dietitian Education Program at Buffalo State College are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancingeducation/information-for-students
The DPND program provides the academic course work and graduates of the program apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways) to fulfill the supervised practice requirement. Upon completion of both, an individual is eligible to take the registration examination.
DPND Mission, Goals, and Verification Statement
Length of Program
DPND students starting as freshman may complete the curriculum in four years. Transfer students generally take a longer time to complete based on the number of credits transferred and the courses accepted by the college and program.
The DEP program integrates the educational requirements with the supervised professional practice so that upon graduation an individual is eligible to take the registration examination.
DEP Mission, Philosophy, and Verification
Length of Program
DEP students who join the department as freshman may complete the curriculum in four years plus a summer course between junior and senior years. Transfer students generally take a longer time to complete based on the number of credits transferred and the courses accepted by the college and program.
Recent graduates have been hired as dietitians, consultants, or supervisors of food service by hospitals, wellness centers, and food service operations. Graduates also may work as educators or consultants in corporate wellness programs, sports nutrition, news media, health clubs and spas, health-care organizations, community agencies, food- and nutrition-related businesses, and private practice. Others work in research or development for the pharmaceutical or food industries or government agencies. Some graduates pursue advanced degrees and/or research in nutrition, medicine, or related health-care fields.
The B.S. in health and wellness program provides students with the skills to pursue research, scholarship, grant, and publication activities; design, implement, and evaluate community service projects; participate in local, state, and national disciplinary conferences; interact with professionals in all domains of health promotion; structure a professional portfolio; and explore post-graduate employment and education options.
You’ll learn how to:
Health and Wellness Academic Roadmap
Health and Wellness Course Checklist
Health and Wellness Degree Program
Recent graduates have been hired as corporate wellness directors, wellness program administrators, certified personal trainers, wellness programmers, directors of campus health and wellness services, and coordinators of health and wellness programming. Typical hiring firms include large industrial firms, adult education programs, community health agencies, national nonprofit agencies, resorts, health spas, government health agencies, colleges, and insurance companies.
Recent graduates have been hired by companies such as the Ford Motor Company, DuPont, Independent Health, Becker Advertising (health-related sales), Binghamton University, the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York, the American Lung Association, World Gym, Bally Total Fitness, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Alzheimer's Association of Western New York, and Buffalo Athletic Club.
The exercise science minor emphasizes that physical activity is inextricably linked to longevity and disease prevention. Individuals with an exercise science minor will be prepared to pursue a career in personal training, corporate fitness, strength and conditioning, or graduate school in applied exercise, physical therapy, kinesiology, or clinical exercise physiology.
