NUTRITION MINOR
ABOUT
The Nutrition Minor aims to educate students about foundational knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of nutrition, with a focus on current topics in human nutrition such as cultural aspects of foods, nutrition science, food as medicine, and global health nutrition. The Nutrition Minor is designed to strengthen students’ knowledge base in basic nutrition principles, health promotion and disease prevention and provide students with the understanding and tools to navigate the continual stream of nutrition information.
In keeping with the mission and strategic plan of Villanova University and the Fitzpatrick college of Nursing, this Nutrition Minor serves to develop knowledge and skills to help improve overall health in individuals and communities. Nutrition is an interdisciplinary branch of science that examines the biological role of food and nutrients in health and disease. It offers the opportunity for undergraduate students in any discipline to engage in a program of study designed to teach the fundamentals of nutrition.
ELIGIBILITY
This Minor is open to all undergraduate students. Graduate students who are interested in the courses may take them as an elective in their program. Students must note that the completion of this Minor does not satisfy the requirements for practice as a credentialed registered dietitian nutritionist. This sequence is recommended for students majoring in health disciplines or related fields, or those with a unique interest in nutritional health, or even those working in counseling or education, where a more in-depth knowledge of nutrition and nutrition science would be valuable.
All students who want to participate in the Nutrition Minor must complete the following steps:
1. Meet with their Academic Advisor to discuss course of study to assure they are able to meet all requirements. Once a student and the Academic Advisor have agreed that the student can meet all requirements of the Minor, then the student must:
2. Complete the Change of Major, Minor Concentration form (also available in myNOVA)
3. Schedule a meeting with the Nutrition Minor Advisor, Rebecca Shenkman, Director of MacDonald Center for Nutrition Education and Research (nutritionminor@villanova.edu) to further discuss course progression.
No more than one elective transferred from another University can be applied toward the Minor in Nutrition. Transfer credits from a study abroad semester while a student was enrolled at Villanova University will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
REQUIREMENTS
The Nutrition Minor consists of 15 credits which includes 9 credits of required and 6 credits of elective classes. Students interested in this program must successfully complete Principles of Nutrition (NTR 2120) and two other core requirements, along with electives approved by the Nutrition Minor Advisor.
Required Minor Courses: 9 credits
NTR 2120: Principles of Nutrition – required for all Minor in Nutrition students. Select two (2) of the three (3) remaining courses to meet the minor requirements.
Course Title Credits
NTR 2120 |
Principles of Nutrition – required |
3 |
NUR 7070 |
Nutrition and Global Health |
3 |
NUR 7071 |
Global Health Nutrition: Leveraging Food as Medicine |
3 |
NUR 2200 |
Healthy Lifestyles & Human Values (non-Nursing students only |
3 |
Elective Courses: 6 credits
The elective courses may not come from the same department unless discussed and approved by the Nutrition Minor Advisors. Students are encouraged to tailor the elective courses toward their professional interests and goals. Courses at the 7000-7999 level are graduate courses open to qualified undergraduates. Electives require approval of the Nutrition Minor Advisor. Students may also seek to have additional courses approved by the Nutrition Minor Advisor. Consideration will be given to courses that correlate well with the student’s identified area of focus. For the full list of approved electives, click HERE.
