Exercise & Nutrition Sciences Department

Exercise and nutrition are vital to human health and well-being. Our department offers you the unique opportunity to study the sciences of exercise and nutrition while immersing yourself in the practical application of fitness and wellness.

The SUNY Plattsburgh nutrition program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) until June 2031.

We administer three programs and three minors:

Bachelor of Science in nutrition
Bachelor of Science in fitness and wellness leadership (FWL)
100% online Master of Science in fitness and wellness leadership
Minors: nutrition, athletic coaching, and personal training

Experienced Faculty & Preparation for Health-Related Professions

Our programs are designed to support the diverse needs of our students as future practitioners and academics. Full-time faculty from FWL and nutrition serve as your advisors and mentors. Whether face-to-face to remote, advisors are available to walk you through individualized academic plans, but will also provide recommendations for future plans upon graduation. Combine our majors and minors with pre-health professions programs such as pre-medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapist, physician assistant or pre-pharmacy program, or for entry into post-baccalaureate accelerated nursing programs. Employment opportunities in nutrition, fitness and healthcare are much higher than average for all jobs.

Facilities include a personal training teaching laboratory and a spacious food laboratory. You may also elect to participate in our successful student research program, become a teaching assistant, work in the fitness center and the school garden, or with our athletic trainers and campus dietitian.

Located in a small, vibrant city surrounded by Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, there are numerous interesting locations for field internships and experiential learning.

Conduct Research & Experiment

Use state-of-the-art tools and facilities to practice your skills.

Labs & Facilities

Learn by Doing

Become a skilled practitioner as you earn your degree.

Internships & Experiential Learning

Resources for Students

Food, Nutrition, Health & Fitness Resources
Food & Nutrition
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- US Food and Drug Administration
- The International Food Information Council
- Mayo Clinic Nutrition Center
- New government nutrition guidelines — My Plate
- Food related website — www.epicurious.com
- United States Department of Agriculture
- USDA National Agricultural Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center
- Food Facts and Food Composition Resources
- US Dietary Guidelines
- Dietary Supplements Fact Sheets
Health
Fitness
- American College of Sports Medicine — ACSM
- National Strength and Conditioning Association — NSCA
- National Academy of Sports Medicine — NASM
- American Council on Exercise — ACE
- Athletics and Fitness Association of America — AFAA
Nutrition Student Handbook
The Handbook for Nutrition Students is designed to help students in the nutrition program at SUNY Plattsburgh find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the program such as:
1. What do dietitians actually do?
2. What is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD Program)?
3. What is the SUNY Plattsburgh nutrition program’s curriculum and requirements?
4. How do I become a registered dietitian?
5. How do I become a registered dietetic technician?
6. What is a dietetic internship; what do I need to do to get into a dietetic internship?
7. What are other options after graduating with a nutrition degree?
Student Employment Opportunities
Opportunities include:
- Work-study positions as building supervisors, equipment room assistants, office workers
- Supervisors, aerobic and group exercise instructors, personal trainers in the Fitness Center
- Intramural officials
- CPR/first aid instructors
- Recreational sports staff
- Intramural coordinator
- Sports information
- Sports equipment
- Special events ticket takers/security
Please visit Rec Sports for job descriptions and application forms.

Nutrition Program Accreditation

The SUNY Plattsburgh nutrition program is fully accredited through June 2031.

The SUNY Plattsburgh nutrition program is a didactic program in dietetics that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

ACEND can be contacted by Email: [email protected]; Phone: 800-877-1600, ext 5400; Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.

Note to Prospective Students

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program (such as at SUNY Plattsburgh) are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Get more information about state licensure requirements.

Get more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.

Nutrition Program Goals & Outcomes

Mission Statement
Program Goals & Outcomes
The nutrition program is committed to quality assurance and tracks several outcome measures, including dietetic internship acceptance rates, employment, and student satisfaction surveys and competencies, which are available upon request from the program director. The Nutrition Handbook is another resource for program policies, procedures, goals and outcome measure.
- Program Goal 1 — Program graduates will be prepared to successfully obtain and complete an accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship, individualized supervised practice pathway, or future education graduate program) and pass the national examination to become registered dietitians.
- Program Goal 2 — Program graduates will have the knowledge and skills to become competent nutrition professionals.
Objectives/Target Outcome Measures for Goal # 1
1. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length)
2. At least 50% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
4. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Objectives/Target Outcome Measures for Goal # 2
1. At least 90% of program graduates will rate themselves as “adequately” or “more than adequately” prepared in dietetic related education.
2. At least 90% of program graduates completing a supervised practice program will rate themselves as “adequately” prepared.
3. At least 90% of internship directors will rate graduates’ preparation for supervised practice as satisfactory or well prepared.
Program Outcome Data

NUTRITION. FITNESS. WELLNESS. LEADERSHIP.