Dietetics Major

The Dietetics Major is a professional program planned to meet the accreditation standards for the dietetics profession in Canada. Graduates are eligible to write a national exam to qualify to register with a provincial dietetic regulatory body in order to use the designation Registered Dietitian and practice dietetics. The program involves five years of study: two prerequisite years and three program years. Practice education placements occur in year 3, 4 and 5 and span across British Columbia. The curriculum includes general courses in both biological and social sciences, as well as courses more directly related to dietetics such as basic and applied human nutrition, food and food systems, management, and professional dietetic practice.

The Dietetics Major differs from other nutrition-related majors offered by the Faculty, in that it is a regulated health profession training program. The Dietetics Major has specific applicant selection procedures and includes campus-based and practice education courses to assist students to develop knowledge and skills for dietetic practice.

Admission

Admission is limited to students who will have completed a minimum of 54 credits of university or college coursework by April 30 of the year in which they are applying for admission. This must include the following prerequisites (or their equivalents): LFS_V 150 or WRDS_V 150¹; FNH_V 160 and FNH_V 161; BIOL_V 201 (or BIOC_V 202); CHEM_V 233 (or 203); FNH_V 200² and 250²; LFS_V 250² and 252³. These prerequisites can be met by following years one and two of the Food, Nutrition and Health Major, along with careful course planning⁴.

¹Or equivalent course to fulfill Communication Requirement.

²These courses have online sections (students planning to transfer into third-year dietetics from other institutions may enrol via non-degree studies).

³Several BC post-secondary institutions offer an equivalent course.

⁴Applicants are recommended to follow the course plan for years 1 and 2 of the UBC Food Nutrition and Health Major to fulfill Dietetics prerequisites while also remaining eligible for other majors within the BSFN degree program.

Admission is based on:

• Academic Performance
  Admission is based on a minimum academic standing of 70%, calculated as a cumulative average of grades from all required prerequisite courses (years one and two) and most recent 30 applicable credits.
• Non-academic Application Components (Written package and Interview)
  These application components are used to assess an applicant's potential for success in the UBC Dietetics Program.

Admission Score

Applicants are admitted on the basis of a final admissions score, as follows:

• Academic Performance: 30%
• Written package: 35%
• Interview: 35%

Preparing to Apply:

Dietetics is a professional program and it is essential that all prospective applicants take steps to consider whether this is an appropriate career choice for them, and obtain relevant skills and experience prior to applying. For further guidance, refer to the program website.

Application

The annual application deadline is the last Friday in January for September admission. All application components must be received by this date.

Application to the Dietetics Major has three components:

• Online application to enter the B.Sc. (FNH) program in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) (not applicable to students already enrolled in this program)
• A Dietetics Major application package, to be submitted to the Faculty.
• The Integrated Dietetics Program Application Fee (as listed here¹)

¹ If you self-identify as an Indigenous applicant, please contact LFS Student Services to inquire about a fee exemption.

Program Information

All students accepted to the program are admitted to third year.

Due to extra administrative costs associated with an integrated practice education program, an annual supplemental fee (as listed here, see Land and Food Systems section) is applied to students in each year of the program.

Students in the program must also fulfill, and bear any costs associated with requirements mandated by UBC and/or practice education placement agencies (further details are provided on the program website).

Advancement Requirements

Students must remain in good academic standing and pass all required courses (including practice education) to continue in the program. Students who do not meet these requirements may be required to discontinue from the Dietetics Major.

The Dietetics undergraduate program incorporates practice education in years 3, 4 and 5.

Dietetics Major

¹FNH_V 381: Involves practice education placements in Summer Session Term 1 of Year 3

²FNH_V 481: Involves practice education placements in Summer Session Term 1 or Year 4

³FNH_V 482: Involves practice education placements in Term 1 of Year 5

⁴FNH_V 482: Involves practice education placements in Term 1 of Year 5