2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Applied Food and Nutrition
Website: gvsu.edu/ahs
Faculty
Libby MacQuillan, Ph.D., RDN, CHSE, Program Director
Jody Vogelzang, Ph.D., RDN, FAND, CHES
Kris Baird, M.S., RDN, FAND, CNSC
Jennifer Ford, M.S., RDN, CSO
This undergraduate program in applied food and nutrition (AFN) has been developed to meet the accreditation requirements in preparing students to qualify as nutrition dietetic technicians, registered (NDTR). The program provides classes geared toward employment in community, food service, or clinical food and nutrition areas, and includes supervised practice rotations in food service, community and clinical nutrition. The use of simulation with standard patients and manikins is an integral part of preparing graduates for employment in many diverse organizations.
NDTRs are employed in a variety of health care and nutrition settings, with most working in acute care hospitals, long term care sites, and in community and public health organizations. NDTRs are equipped to educate, monitor and advise clients and groups participating in federally funded nutrition programs to promote well-being and improved quality of life through eating habits and lifestyle behaviors. They are valued for their scientific understanding of nutrition and dietetics and for their empathetic approach when interacting with clients. NDTRs work in a complementary role to the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and treat less acute, less complex nutrition-related diseases and disorders compared to the scope of practice of the RDN.
The B.S. in applied food and nutrition will use problem-based learning, meaningful and sustainable group projects, and multiple opportunities to demonstrate critical thinking as the students emerge as highly trained and sought after nutrition and dietetic professionals.
Accreditation: The AFN program is pursuing accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a future model bachelor's degree program. Designed to meet the newest standards for accredited bachelor's degree programs, GVSU's AFN program has applied to be designated as a demonstration program with ACEND.
Academic Advising: Students are strongly encouraged to meet periodically with their academic advisor to determine progress toward and eligibility for admission into the Applied Food and Nutrition program. Students are assigned to a College of Health Professions Student Services academic advisor prior to program admission: gvsu.edu/chpss. Upon admission into the program students are assigned to an AFN faculty advisor.
Application Process for Applied Food and Nutrition
Phase I - Prerequisites
Phase I consists of having the following prerequisites complete or currently enrolled at the time of application:
- Overall and science GPA of 2.7 or above
- BIO 120
- BMS 105
- BMS 250 and BMS 251
- CHM 231
- Completion of 45 hours
- CHM 232 must be completed with a C+ or better prior to the start of the 400-level AFN courses.
Phase II - Application Requirements
Applicants must submit all materials to the director of the applied food and nutrition program. The application consists of the following components, all of which must be completed and submitted by February 1, prior to the intended fall (August) entry. Late applications will be considered assuming requirements are met and space is available in the program. All forms are available on the program website:
- GVSU Undergraduate Application; students must be admitted and eligible to start classes in the year of application
- Completed AFN application
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- One- to two-page statement of professional philosophy: Why have you chosen AFN as a profession?
- Three completed recommendations using GVSU's online reference forms
Completed applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis beginning February 1 each year until the program's space is filled. After evaluation of the previously listed application documents, offers of interviews with program faculty will be made. Completion of an interview is required for program admission.
Phase III - Official Admission Notification
Upon successful completion of Phase I and II, applicants will be notified of admission into the program and will be asked to set up an advising appointment with a faculty member.