Nutrition Sciences
Nutrition Sciences prepares students for the health care field with an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetics and medical nutrition therapy.
Nutrition Sciences programs are student-focused with contact hours provided through lecture-based courses, laboratory courses, and field experiences supervised by registered dietitians/nutritionists. Summer and part-time work, or volunteer experiences in the profession, are encouraged to help bolster a competitive application for the dietetic internship. Nutrition and dietetics professionals have a unique knowledge of the science and art of nutrition. The blend of scientific knowledge and social and cultural factors influencing what people eat enables registered dietitians/nutritionists to assist individuals in health promotion, disease prevention, and disease management.
Academic Programs
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences prepares students with an interest in human nutrition to enter the health care field.
Undergraduate Programs
The student-focused programs include contact hours provided through lecture-based courses, laboratory courses, and field experiences with practitioners. Summer and part-time work, or volunteer experiences, in the profession are encouraged to help bolster a competitive application for the dietetic internship. Concentrations are available in dietetics, and sports nutrition.
Graduate Programs
Graduate degrees and assistantships are available through the Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences department. These opportunities include:
Requirements and Process to Become an RDN
In order to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN), students must:
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Complete a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPND) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). UNLV offers this program at the Bachelor's level.
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Effective January 1, 2024, students must hold a Masters degree in order to sit for the National Registration Examination for Dietitians. UNLV offers a M.S. in Nutrition Sciences degree, requiring application for admission after earning the B.S. degree.
- Apply for, become accepted into, and complete an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI). The UNLV DI completes this step in the process.
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Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) National Registration Examination for Dietitians. The eligibility requirements for this credentialing* exam and exam content are set by CDR. Additional information can be found at Commission on Dietetic Registration website and Commission on Dietetic Registration Eligibility Requirements.
*Note: Once the RDN credential is earned, one must apply for their Dietetics license in Nevada in order to practice in this state. No additional courses or credentials are required to be eligible for a license to practice in the state of Nevada. Information about this process can be found here
For Information on Nevada’s Educational Requirements to obtain a license for practice, visit this page.
For Information on Nevada’s Non-Educational Requirements to obtain a license for practice, visit this page.
Note from ACEND on Licensure Statutes and Board Information: While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's belief that ACEND-accredited Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) meet the didactic portion of course requirements for dietitian or dietetics licensure and certification in all states.
However, completing an ACEND-accredited bachelor’s program alone is not sufficient to qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree and meeting other state-specified requirements, individuals must also complete a supervised practice experience and pass a licensing exam.
Consistent with current requirements of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, some states may also require initial dietitian licensure applicants to hold a master’s degree as indicated in the linked document provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND references this document for general informational purposes only.
Legal advice specific to your situation should be sought from a lawyer licensed in your state. ACEND does not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on this document. Statutes, regulations and policies of state licensing agencies are subject to change; this information only reflects published statutes and regulations as of July 1, 2024. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements to obtain a dietetics or dietitian license.
More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
Students pursuing the registered dietitian nutritionist credential need to complete the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPND). Students can simultaneously fulfill the bachelor of science in nutrition sciences and the DPND requirements.
During 2005, the UNLV Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics. The program is accredited through June 30, 2031. The contact information for ACEND is listed below:
The Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
E-mail: acend@eatright.org
Website: ACEND
Dietetic Internship
The dietetic internship is designed to prepare interns to meet entry-level skills expected of the Registered Dietitian. Students wishing to enter this program must complete DPND requirements before applying. Those pursuing the MS-DI pathway must also apply to the UNLV Graduate College for the Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences degree, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics subplan by the deadline. Those pursuing the DI supervised practice only will need to apply to the UNLV Graduate College as a non-degree seeking student IF accepted into the program.
Applications are due by September 15, 2024 by 5 p.m. PST for the Spring 2025 Cohort.
The UNLV Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics. The program is accredited through June 30, 2027. The contact information for ACEND is listed below.
The Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
E-mail: acend@eatright.org
Website: ACEND