Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences

Telephone: (302) 831-2079
https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/about/
Faculty Listing: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/faculty/

The Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences (HBNS) offers undergraduate majors in Health Behavior Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition and Medical Sciences, and Nutrition, as well as minors in Health and Wellness, Health, Physical Activity, & Disability, Public Health, Nutrition, and Medical Social Services. The academic programs integrate coursework in the biological, chemical, behavioral, social, and nutritional sciences with internship and real-world practicum experiences. The undergraduate programs prepare students for a variety of careers in the areas of health care, education, recreation, public health, fitness, nutrition, and health promotion for business, industry, and public, private, and government agencies.

Each student is assigned an Academic Advisor who will assist in selecting courses and experiences that focus on the student’s interests and professional goals. Students are encouraged to meet with their Advisor at least once each semester. Failure to meet regularly with an Advisor can result in a delay in graduation if program requirements have not been met. For general advising questions, contact hbnsadvising@udel.edu.

Students are encouraged to enrich their academic programs by participating in seminars, student organizations, research, and study abroad experiences to enhance prospects for internships, post-graduate education, and employment. Opportunities exist to participate as student members of national, regional, and statewide professional organizations related to each major.

Major Degree Programs

The Health Behavior Science major prepares students to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the burden of disease through the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion programs to change specific health behaviors at the individual or population level. Strengths of the program include experiential learning opportunities through internships, practicums, and clinical experiences. Health Behavior Science professionals can work within a variety of settings including public health departments, non-profits, health care management organizations, corporate wellness sites, schools, clinics, and hospitals. They also can work with a range of population groups such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, children and adolescents. All Health Behavior Science majors are required to have a minor, which provides students with a focused area of study based on their professional interests. By taking advantage of winter and summer semesters, highly motivated students can complete this degree within 3 years.

A grade of C- or higher is required in the Health Behavior Science major courses for successful completion of the degree.

The Health and Disability concentration is designed for undergraduate students majoring in Health Behavior Science. This concentration provides students with a solid theoretical foundation, essential prerequisites for graduate studies, and valuable field-based experiences. It equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support individuals with disabilities across the lifespan in diverse health, physical activity, and wellness settings. Students will learn how to accommodate individuals with disabilities, develop individualized programs, and ensure accessibility in their practice.

By choosing the Health and Disability concentration, students interested in health behavior sciences will be better prepared for graduate studies and future careers in various health, medical, and disability-related fields. It is important for students to carefully review the admission requirements of the graduate programs they plan to apply. Successful completion of this concentration will fulfill the approved minor requirement for the Health Behavior Science degree.

For students pursuing both the Health and Disability concentration in the Health Behavior Science major and the Disabilities Studies minor, a maximum of six credits can be overlapped between major, concentration, and minor coursework. However, it is important to note that students in the Health and Disability concentration are not eligible to minor in Health, Physical Activity, and Disability.

To fulfill the requirements of the concentration, students must (a) complete the courses specified in the major, concentration core, and concentration restricted electives, and (b) maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0. Successful completion of the degree requires a grade of C- or higher in both the Health Behavior Science major and the concentration courses.

The completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics major is the first step leading to the attainment of certification as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The University of Delaware’s didactic program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students in this major complete the professional practice requirement after the Bachelor of Science degree by completing an ACEND accredited dietetic internship. See the Graduate section of the catalog for information on the Dietetic Internship and Combined MS in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship programs. Effective January 1, 2024, a minimum of a master’s degree will be required to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists can pursue careers in clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, community nutrition, public health, research, private practice, and food service management. A grade of C- or higher is needed in the Nutrition and Dietetics major courses for successful completion of the degree.

The Nutrition and Medical Sciences major is for students who want a strong foundation in the basic sciences (biology, physiology, and chemistry, biochemistry) in addition to the study of human nutrition. As a premedical program, it prepares students for advanced degrees in dentistry, medicine, occupational or physical therapy, physician assistant, or pharmacology. Students can also pursue careers in laboratory research or positions with companies or agencies requiring the extensive use of a strong science and human nutrition background. A grade of C- or higher is needed in the Nutrition and Medical Sciences major courses for successful completion of the degree.

The Nutrition major is designed for the student who can creatively combine the study of nutrition with other academic areas. Depending on the coursework selected, Nutrition graduates can pursue careers in community nutrition, health education, public health and wellness programs, and foodservice management. The Nutrition Major also prepares students for graduate school in nutrition, public health or health professions, such as nursing. A grade of C- or higher is needed in the Nutrition major courses for successful completion of the degree.

Lifetime Activities Program

A varied activity program is available to all students on a pass/fail credit basis in BHAN 120 courses. The objectives of the lifetime activities program are: (1) to provide knowledge and skills essential for leisure-time enjoyment, (2) to develop healthy exercise habits as well as a sound knowledge base in the scientific principles of physical activity, and (3) to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for learning skills that encourage lifetime participation. Regular attendance is required in order to receive credit in BHAN 120 courses with a passing grade. BHAN 130 courses provide students with a wide variety of healthy lifestyle and skills to enhance their quality of life. These one (1) credit courses relate to stress management, food and diet, healthy relationships and much more.

Minors

The Health and Wellness minor is for students who have an interest in expanding their knowledge of health and wellness issues. This minor provides students with the opportunity to complement their major course of study by expanding and applying health knowledge and concepts to their chosen profession and personal life. Students in the Health Behavior Science major are not eligible to take this minor as a course of study. Students may take a maximum of nine credits already required for their major. Students should contact HBNS Advising with questions about the minor.

The Health, Physical Activity, and Disability minor provides students with a theoretical base and quality field-based experiences to serve individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings that promote health and wellness. The minor is open to all students but is particularly suited for students who are planning careers in health and exercise sciences, such as health promotion, fitness, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, physical therapy, sports medicine, and coaching. Students applying for the minor must have completed at least one semester of full-time study at the University of Delaware with a minimum GPA of a 2.0. Students should contact HBNSAdvising with questions about the minor.

The Medical Social Services minor focuses on methods to aid patients and their families with accessing available community resources. Professionals in this field connect people to appropriate social and/or medical services. Typical employment settings include hospitals, schools, hospice, and nursing home facilities. Open to all students in all majors, the minor introduces the intersection of social services and public health within an interdisciplinary context. Although the minor provides background content for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in medical social work, this minor alone does not qualify students for professional licensure in social work. Students should contact HBNSAdvising with questions about the minor.

A minor in Nutrition provides students from other degree programs including, but not limited to, Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, and Nursing with a fairly intensive level of understanding of nutritional science. The minor is for students interested in the area of nutrition who believe that good nutrition and personal lifestyles are important for the well-being of individuals. Students should contact HBNS Advising with questions about the minor.

The minor in Public Health provides an interdisciplinary opportunity to develop practical skills in program development and increase knowledge in the areas of social systems and policy as well as leadership. Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private sectors, communities, and individuals. The minor is available to students of all disciplines and offers a greater appreciation for the application of public health concepts to your field of study. Students should contact HBNS Advising with questions about the minor.

4+1 Program

The Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences (HBNS) offers a 4+1 BS in Nutrition and Dietetics/MS in Human Nutrition program. This program combines the BS in Nutrition and Dietetics, an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program that is the first step leading to the credential of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Masters degree that is the second step. This program allows exceptional students to apply to the 4+1 BS in Nutrition and Dietetics/MS in Human Nutrition program after completion of 45 credits. Enrolled students will complete seven credits of graduate-level courses during their undergraduate portion of the 4+1 BS followed by 27-credits during the 1-year graduate portion of the program. During the graduate portion of the program students will select a concentration (dietetics, public health, health coaching) or select to not have a concentration.

Programs

Major

Minor

Honors Degree