Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), is one of the most prominent institutions for higher education in the state of Virginia. In fact, Virginia Tech ranked in the top 100 among all universities on a national basis in 2010, according to "U.S. News & World Report." The university offers nutrition degrees through its Department of Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, which is in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. At the undergraduate level, students have four options: they can major in consumer foods; dietetics' exercise and health promotion; or science of food, nutrition and exercise. At the graduate level, Virginia Tech offers a Master of Science (M.S.) and a Ph.D. Emphases within both programs include foods or molecular nutrition and chronic disease.
Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
338 Wallace Hall, Mail Code: 0430
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-4672
www.hnfe.vt.edu
James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, also offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in nutrition and dietetics. The undergraduate program at JMU prepares students to work in a wide variety of institutional and private settings. In addition to the bachelor's degree program that is offered, JMU also offers a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that prepares students to become registered dietitians. This generally requires a supervised internship and licensing exams. At the graduate level, students can pursue a Master of Science in one of two fields of health sciences: one with a dietetics concentration or one with a concentration in nutrition and physical activity.
James Madison University
Department of Health Sciences
801 Carrier Drive, MSC 4301
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540-568-6510
www.healthsci.jmu.edu
Radford University in Radford, Virginia, also offers undergraduate studies in the field of nutrition. The major offered by Radford leads to a bachelor's degree in the field of nutrition and dietetics. The program is offered through the Department of Exercise, Sports and Health Education. Students in the program are exposed to a variety of perspectives, but particular attention is given to the nutrition needs of the rural community in the southwestern portion of the state. The program does offer some training leading to the position of a registered dietitian, much of which is obtained primarily through the extracurricular organization, the Radford University Student Dietetic Association.
Radford University
East Main St.
Box 6957
Radford, VA 24142
540-831-5005
www.radford.edu/nutrweb/