Through its bachelor and master's degree programs, the Department prepares students for professional careers and helps them gain knowledge, insights and skills in order to participate and contribute knowledgeably and effectively as dietitians, nutritionists and/or food systems managers in contemporary society. The Department also offers undergraduate and graduate level courses as electives for other programs on campus.  

The Department is guided by The American Dietetic Association's Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals and the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) Standards of Education in the design and development of all dietetics curricula and practice programs. The CADE accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (Bachelor of Science in human nutrition) and CADE accredited Dietetic Internship are offered along with the Master of Science degree in human nutrition. The undergraduate, graduate, and internship programs are offered to meet the needs of entry-level practitioners in the state, region and nation. Since South Carolina is a rural state with a large number of community-based hospitals, dietetic practitioners are often required to serve as generalist dietitians. Completion of the CADE accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) followed by the CADE accredited Dietetic Internship offered at Winthrop University or elsewhere, provides students with the requisite academic and experiential background necessary to function as entry-level generalist dietitians. 

Dietetic interns have the opportunity to work with outstanding role models in the state and region. Practitioners at the Winthrop University Internship practice sites have excellent credentials and diverse academic and professional backgrounds. While program graduates are sensitive to the unique needs of South Carolina and the Southeastern United States, they are competent to assume positions in health care facilities throughout the nation. Individuals completing the accredited Winthrop University dietetic internship have opportunities for specialization through additional graduate course work, continuing education, and/or through experiences acquired during employment.

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