Student Clubs and Resources

Nutrition students in lab

Students in Nutrition and Foods enjoy a wide variety of experiences while at Appalachian. The required courses for the Dietetics concentration prepare students to become a professional dietitian. These courses range from introductory accounting to organic chemistry to quantity food preparation and medical nutrition therapy. For the Foodsystems Management concentration, students take business classes together with the food and management courses. Then the junior or senior internship is done in many local businesses and agencies (Some students do arrange rotations near home.) (See the internship link.) 

Our professors are engaged in active research programs and regularly invite undergraduate students to participate with them. Projects range from childhood obesity studies to the effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance and on the risks of vascular diseases.

Many activities outside the classroom are available, particularly through the Appalachian Student Dietetic Association. The ASDA is a very active professional and academic organization that focuses on promoting nutrition and health within the community and on campus. As a club of more than 150 active students, the ASDA is involved with a wide variety of activities around the community. Committees of different interests coordinate events all throughout the year, including events focused on local food, gardening, child nutrition education, maternal nutrition education, sports nutrition, food policy, plant-based and vegetarian diets, and more. Please refer to ASDA's webpage for more information.

Appalachian Student Dietetic Association

  • The Appalachian Student Dietetic Association is a student nutrition and foods organization that offers a wide variety of opportunities and experiences for any Appalachian student. Our parent organization if the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All dietetics majors are encouraged to join ASDA and become members of AND.

Scholarships

Through the establishment of scholarships and endowments, donors support the efforts of students in the College of Health Sciences.

Career Development

Registered dietitians (RDs) work in a variety of employment settings including health care, business and industry, public health, education, research, and private practice. Many of these professional environments, particularly those in medical and health care settings, require that an individual who will be giving nutrition information be credentialed and licensed as an RD.