Undergraduate Programs in Food and Nutrition
FROM SIM TO REAL WORLD: Students gain interdisciplinary hands-on experience in the IUP patient simulation lab working closely with nursing, theater, and speech-pathology majors.
Expansive outlook for food and nutrition experts
Your ability to advise people about healthy eating habits will take you far. A degree in food and nutrition gives you the skills to combat the threat of obesity, diabetes, and other conditions. It also paves the way to important positions working in nutrition education, lifestyle and health coaching, foodservice management, sustainable food practices, research, community nutrition, policy-making, and clinical nutrition.
The need for nutritional guidance will never go away. The growing population coupled with the necessity to create new foods means communities worldwide will forever seek the advice of experts. Your undergraduate degree will prepare you for a variety of careers in the food and nutrition industry that is expanding fast to address the nation's health and fitness concerns.
Why Food and Nutrition?
Some of the highest paid food and nutrition professionals earn an annual salary of $75,000 or more. The median salary is about $53,000, and most nutritionists, dietitians, food researchers, and others typically find full-time employment. There is also the satisfaction of knowing that your expertise is helping to heal a populace that continues to struggle with an assortment of diseases that are related to eating and lifestyle habits.
IUP: His Perfect Choice for Dietetics
"Coming out of high school, I had a passion to pursue a career in nutrition. The moment I had my first dietetic related class at IUP I knew I made the right choice to pursue this passion at IUP. Each class provided me with a different skill set. From the hands-on learning to the small class size, IUP's Dietetic program was a perfect learning environment."
Jeffrey Lucchino, alumnus, MS, RDN, LDN, CSSD, CPT, went on to become Director of Sports Nutrition for UPMC Sports Medicine
The world needs food and nutrition majors
You are entering the world of nutrition at an important time. Statistics show that employment in the field is expected to rise by about 20 percent through 2020, a much faster pace than many other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, new developments in the field will undoubtedly provide bigger challenges and therefore more opportunities in healthcare and related fields.
Expected outcomes with an undergraduate degree in food and nutrition
From the very beginning your education will mix the best classroom technologies available with community activities. As your knowledge grows, so too will your confidence in speaking with the general public as well as specific groups such as athletes, children, community leaders, and other health professionals.
You'll also choose a track that prepares you for your ultimate goal in the areas of nutrition, dietetics, and culinary dietetics.
- Student organizations, such as the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND), will add another layer of learning and support to your IUP campus experience.
- Volunteering with local organizations and events allows you to provide a service and expand your professional network.
The IUP Difference
Practical Applications. It is not enough to theorize about food and nutrition. The Nutrition major curriculum is designed to get you involved through engaging learning activities, simulations, and real-world practice to build your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Faculty Advising. Your professors will do more than feed you information. From the start of your IUP experience you'll be assigned a faculty advisor who will help you fulfill your study and career goals.
Careers Class. In your first semester you'll enroll in a one-credit class that outlines your vast career possibilities, and teaches you how to make the best use of the library and new study technologies. Prepare to succeed.
Scholarships and Undergraduate Internships. Explore opportunities to earn credits and professional experience, and ways to help finance your education.