2023-2024

Health Sciences - Nutrition and Foods, Bachelor of Science

Department of Health Sciences

College of Health and Human Services

The NAU Nutrition and Foods program will prepare students who will be involved in working with individuals, groups and communities within industries related to food, food safety, food science, and nutrition, as well as entry into graduate school, physician assistant, Physical Therapy, occupational therapy, or medical school.  It will provide students with core knowledge, practical skills, and opportunities to practice.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 83 units of major requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required PSY 230
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Nutrition and Foods prepares students to understand and apply physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food (nutrients), how the body uses nutrients to impact health and disease, and, the process of food selection and preparation for maintenance or improvement of overall health, wellness, and performance.

The degree program is designed for students with diverse health career interests with a functional health emphasis: the integration of fitness and performance, wellness, clinical and public health programming is foundational to broad professional application. Students will learn, evidence-based methods and develop experience-based knowledge that supports an overall holistic approach to health.

Through practical application, students will be prepared to: evaluate and apply nutrition research to design interventions, counsel individuals and the public, facilitate and support behavior change; advocate for sustainable food practice; and serve as community nutrition resources.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate foundational Food Science content knowledge and process.
  • Integrate current nutrition, food, scientific information and research into practice by locating, interpreting, evaluating and using professional literature to make ethical evidence-based practice decisions.
  • Demonstrate the beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors of a public health nutrition professional.
  • Use current information technologies to communicate to a broad range of audiences.
  • Apply counseling/coaching techniques to facilitate behavior change in individuals and for communities.
  • Apply knowledge of the role of environment, food and lifestyle choices to develop interventions to affect change and enhance wellness in diverse individuals and groups.
  • Create educational sessions, programs or strategies for individuals or a target population.
  • Strategically apply principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.

Major Requirements

  • Select one from: 

    • General Option (15 units)
      • In consultation with your advisor, you’re encouraged to select courses (including up to 9 units of NTS 408) that reinforce and strengthen your nutrition and foods program of study. (15 units)
    • Dietetics Option (15 units):
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.