Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics Coordinated Program (CP) is a four-year program with a nutrition therapy emphasis. It combines three years of didactic education and a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice in the field of dietetics. Upon successful completion, students are awarded a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics CP. They are also able to take the colloquium exam and become licensed dietitians in Lebanon.
The proposed educational framework has a planned curriculum that supports the learning activities to attain all the foundation knowledge and competencies set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The fourth year of the coordinated program consists of 27 credits, 24 credits of practicum, and 3 credits of didactic courses. The practicum component is comprised of three rotations: Medical Nutrition Therapy (22 weeks), Food Service Management (8 weeks) and Community Nutrition (8 weeks). The practicum experience typically begins in the first week of September and ends at the beginning of June, thus ensuring a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice experience.
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics CP is to prepare graduates for food and nutrition careers by providing them with the ability to integrate didactic and practical education in order to improve the health and well-being of individuals and groups while upholding the tradition of a liberal arts education.
The program provides education in all areas of dietetics with a nutrition therapy emphasis so as to achieve the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics requirements for program accreditation. Through an understanding of the standards of practice and development of skills, students can successfully pass the Colloquium exam and apply their knowledge to careers in clinical nutrition, food service and program management.
Program Objectives
The B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program seeks to:
- prepare qualified entry-level professionals by providing high quality didactic education and supervised practice,
- produce competent graduates with inter-professional competencies engaged in the health profession and the improvement of human well-being, and
- produce life-long learner graduates who are able to incorporate new evidence-based technology and knowledge into practice.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program , students will:
- integrate evidence-based guidelines and research findings in nutrition practice and care,
- conduct research projects using the appropriate indicators, measures and methodology,
- demonstrate counseling and communication skills sufficient for entry in pre-professional practice,
- demonstrate professional and inter-professional teamwork skills,
- comply with the principles supported by the governance of Dietetics practice,
- develop professional attributes and a portfolio that are adapted to serve in diverse professional and community organizations,
- perform the nutrition care process and use standardized nutrition language,
- apply health education and behavior change theories and techniques,
- demonstrate successful management of available resources and integrate the promotion of nutritional well-being with cultural needs,
- implement quality management and business theories in the provision of services,
- successfully manage food service establishments and apply principles of food safety,
- perform activities related to public policy and health care systems, and
- recognize the support knowledge underlying nutritional sciences.
Admission Requirements
- Candidates for admission may apply to any of the two campuses (Beirut or Byblos) by sending an application to the campus they choose to join.
- A SAT score of 1050 is required for admission. Subsequently, students need to maintain a GPA of 3.0 as progression criterion.
- Applicants may apply as regular (sophomore), or transfer, for the fall semester, the spring semester or the summer term. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office.
- Current LAU students wishing to join the program are requested to submit a “Change of Major” petition to the Registrar’s Office.
Curriculum
A total of 121 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- LAC Requirements (34 cr)
- Program and other requirements (87 cr)
Note that the requirements of the first three years are the same as those of the B.S. in Nutrition.
Year Four (27 credits)
Fall (14 credits)
- NUT570 Ethics for Dietetic Practice (1 cr.)
- NUT580 Dietetic Seminar I (1 cr.)
- NUT597 Dietetic Practicum I (12 cr.)
Spring (13 credits)