Clinical Nutrition Major

The Clinical Nutrition (formerly Dietetics) major incorporates the same basic core of nutrition classes as the Nutrition Science major, but includes additional courses such as food service management, education, sociology, and communication skills to prepare for work with the public.

Clinical Nutrition students spend the first two years completing preparatory course work in the basic biological sciences, along with several of the social sciences. In the final two years, students take courses in normal and clinical nutrition, food science, biochemistry, and management techniques.

This major can prepare students for graduate study, further career preparation in the health professions (dietetics, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, etc.) as well as food service, food production and distribution, education, research, and public health. Graduates of this major, with completion of the DPD program, receive a pre-professional verification statement and are eligible to apply to master’s degree level supervised practice programs (accredited Dietetic Internships) in which students receive practical training in varied aspects of dietetic practice. At least 85% of those students applying from UC Davis typically receive acceptance into accredited supervised practice programs after graduating. Upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of a Master’s degree and DPD academic coursework and a post-Baccalaureate program of supervised practice, the student is eligible to take the nationally administered Registration Examination. Passage of this exam results in earning the professional credential of a Registered Dietitian or "R.D." or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or “R.D.N.”

*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). If an individual receives the RDN before 2024, there is no requirement to get a master’s degree to maintain registration.

Resources for Clinical Nutrition Majors

• Four Year Plan for Clinical Nutrition Major
• Checklist & Study Plan for Clinical Nutrition Major
• Courses in Clinical Nutrition Major that Fulfill General Education Requirements
• Clinical Nutrition Major Info
• Becoming a Dietitian - DPD Handbook
• UC Davis Courses that fulfill the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND)
• Dietetic Internship Application Materials
• Jobs held by Alumni with Degrees in Clinical Nutrition
• More Student Resources

Contacts

Undergraduate Advising Office

Undergraduate Staff Advisors

• Martha Amesquita, 3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 752-2512, [email protected]
• Jason Wong, 3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 752-7094, [email protected]

Student Services Support

• Elsa Klassen, 3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 754-3678, [email protected]

Peer Advisors

• [email protected], 3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 752-4657

Mailing Address

• Martha Amesquita
  Undergraduate Staff Advisor
  Department of Nutrition
  University of California, Davis
  One Shields Avenue
  Davis, CA 95616-5270