Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology
The Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology prepares students for careers that are dedicated to enrichment of human well-being. Consequently, rewarding career opportunities are available to graduates within professions in private and public settings. Specific areas of study include dietetics or nutrition science, exercise science or health and fitness, hospitality management (lodging and facilities management or restaurant management: farm-to-table options), and sustainable food systems. Students interested in teaching can pursue programs in health enhancement K-12 (health and physical education).
Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology offers master's degrees with options in exercise and nutrition sciences, including exercise physiology and nutrition and sport and coaching sciences; and sustainable food systems. The department also offers a doctorate in exercise and nutrition sciences. See the graduate catalog for additional information.
In addition to the career options, the department also offers recreational activity courses with an academic component for university credit. Physical activity courses under the ACT designated rubric are offered as an educational opportunity and as a service to the general student population. User fees vary depending on the activity. Each student enrolling in an activity course will be asked to sign an activity course waiver and release form.
Mission Statement
The Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology strives to enrich human well-being through teaching, research, and outreach.
Academic Advisors
The Education, Health and Human Development academic advising offices, staffed with academic advisors to serve the needs of undergraduate students, are located in 218 Herrick Hall and 132 Reid Hall. Students are expected to meet with an advisor each semester to discuss their plan of study, academic progress, and course registration. In addition, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss issues and questions regarding professional programs, career opportunities, and academic concerns. Academic advisors can assist students to appropriate referrals when necessary.
To receive advising or to inquire about programs in the Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology, contact an EHHD Advising Office by phone at (406) 994-4001 or (406) 994-1880, or by e-mail at ehhdadvising@montana.edu.
Degrees and Options
The department offers four Bachelor of Science degrees. They include a B.S. in Food and Nutrition with options in Dietetics or Nutrition Science; a B.S. in Health Enhancement K-12 (health and physical education teaching); a B.S. in Kinesiology with options in Exercise Science or Health and Fitness; and a B.S. in Hospitality Management with options in lodging and facilities management or restaurant management: farm-to-table. For students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary B.S. in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems, the department offers an option in Sustainable Food Systems.
The department offers a Master of Science in the following areas: dietetics (combined with the dietetic internship); exercise and nutrition sciences (including exercise physiology and nutrition and sport and coaching sciences); and sustainable food systems. The department offers a Doctor of Philosophy in exercise and nutrition sciences.
Minor Fields of Study
Minors provide a concentration of courses outside the student's major and are intended to complement major course work. The minor is posted on the student's transcript. A non-teaching minor is available in coaching. For additional information on minor fields of study and requirements, please see the minors section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science degrees in food and nutrition, health enhancement K-12, hospitality management, and kinesiology shall be conferred upon the successful completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 120 credits. All undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 42 upper division credits.
A Master of Science degree shall be conferred upon completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 30 credits for the majors of exercise and nutrition sciences and sustainable food systems, and 39 credits for dietetic systems leadership. The Doctor of Philosophy in exercise and nutrition sciences requires 60 credits. Please see the graduate catalog for further information.
Certifications and Licensures
Certifications and licensures are dependent on the student's eligibility to sit for certification and licensing examinations and on passing those examinations. Several fields of study in the Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology prepare students to sit for certification and licensing examinations. Many, but not all, certifications and licensures are offered as post-baccalaureate opportunities. See an advisor for additional information.
The following certifications are related to Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology disciplines:
Health Enhancement K-12 (Health and Physical Education) Teacher
The health enhancement K-12 teacher preparation program is designed for students who want to become teachers of health enhancement (health and physical education) in public or private schools. Upon completion of the degree, students are recommended for licensure though the State of Montana in teaching grades K-12.
Kinesiology
There are many choices for certifications within both kinesiology options. Students should consult with faculty on appropriate certification options for their area of interest.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Upon completion of all Didactic Program in Dietetics classes in the dietetics option of the food and nutrition major with a C or better in each required program course, students will be eligible to apply to an ACEND accredited combined master's and internship program to satisfy the necessary requirements. Upon successful completion of the master's and internship program, the student may sit for the RDN examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The RDN status enables a person to become licensed in Montana as a Licensed Nutritionist by the Board of Medical Examiners.