Program Philosophy
The Nutrition Science program, because of its small size, encourages the exchange of ideas and information among students and between students and faculty to enhance the learning process. The faculty members recognize that students develop personally and professionally as they experience the scientific, management and liberal studies approaches to problem identification and solution. The faculty encourages students with diverse talents and backgrounds to enter the Nutrition Science program.
Program Mission
The mission of the Nutrition Science program is to provide students with an opportunity to study the foundation knowledge of nutrition, food science, and food service management within a small, private, liberal arts college.
Program General Goal
The goal of the Nutrition Science program is to present educational opportunities that will prepare students with knowledge of nutrition, food science, and food service management. Students will be provided with learning opportunities to develop the basic knowledge and skills necessary to support quality nutrition services for individuals, groups, and communities.
Approval Status
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Sage is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The address and phone number of ACEND are: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400.
An undergraduate major in Nutrition Science coupled with an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) and success on the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) examination will lead to Registered Dietitian (R.D.) status. Graduates of Russell Sage College’s Nutrition Science major have an above average pass rate on the CDR registration examination. For RD exam pass rates go to: http://www.sage.edu/academics/professional_exams/.
The Nutrition Science major also meets the educational requirements of the New York State Department of Education for certification in New York State as a Certified Dietitian, Certified Nutritionist or Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN). Additional experience and examination requirements are needed for this credential.
An Accredited Dietetic Internship at Russell Sage College
Russell Sage College offers post-baccalaureate accredited dietetic internships in the Russell Sage College Graduate Schools. Matriculated students are eligible to apply for early admission (pre-select) to the post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship offered at Russell Sage College Graduate Schools. Students chosen for this special program reserve a position in the internship class nearly one year in advance of regular admissions. They must maintain an overall GPA of 3.300 and a nutrition coursework GPA of 3.500. Students apply to this program at the end of the junior year. The DI can serve as the experience requirement for the CDN credential as well as the RD credential. Admission requirements and a description of the dietetic internship at Sage can be found in the Russell Sage College Graduate Schools catalog.
Other
Graduates of the Nutrition Science major at Sage can find careers in dietetics, medicine, nutrition education and health promotion, the food industry, and sports nutrition. Graduate degrees received by Nutrition Science majors include MS/MA, M.B.A./M.P.H., M.D., and Ph.D. Graduates have received appointments at accredited Dietetic Internships throughout the country including Dallas, TX, Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, and New York City.
The College’s ACEND representative will verify completion of the DPD for all Sage’s successful degree candidates who have earned a “C” or better in all nutrition science courses (including HUM 201), and who have an overall GPA of 2.800 or above.
Program Notes
- Students are required to become members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) during their junior year (Annual Dues = $58).
- Students are expected to complete 24 hours of nutrition-related community service at approved sites listed in the Nutrition Department’s Student Handbook.
- To earn ACEND verification, students must have a major GPA of 2.800 or above and must earn a “C” or better (2.000) in HUM 201 and all NTR courses.
