Nutrition

What is Nutrition & Dietetics?

Are you interested in how foods and eating patterns affect a person's growth, health, performance, and well-being? Do you want to help people access and prepare nourishing foods across the life-cycle? Are you curious how medical nutrition therapy can help prevent or manage a variety of diseases? With a major in Nutrition & Dietetics, you learn the science of food and nutrition and how to translate that into practical advice to help others eat well. You will be on an academic pathway to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN), Food Scientist, or Food Service Manager and work in a variety of clinical, community, school, government, athletic, food industry or agricultural settings.

Watch this video to learn more about career academic pathways in nutrition! Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should consult the Counseling Department and Nutrition Faculty Lead Sheri Barke, MPH, RD, CSSD for assistance in program planning.

Apply now for the $2000 Nutrition Workforce Pathway Scholarship!

Contact Info:
Sheri Barke, Nutrition Professor @email
Tracy Harkins, Dept. Chair @email
Kari Golden, Dept. Secretary @email
Explore our STEM-HF Pathway

PROGRAMS / COURSES

Associate of Science Degree for Transfer in Nutrition & Dietetics

This degree is designed for prospective CSU/UC transfer students who are preparing for careers as Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists (RDNs), Nutrition Dietetic Technicians Registered (NDTRs), or Food Scientists. All courses transfer to 4-year institutions and count towards a bachelor's degree in nutrition/dietetics, food science, or similar related major.

AS-T Nutrition & Dietetics Program Mapper

Certificate of Achievement in Nutrition and Food Skills

This 9 unit certificate is designed to be a "stepping-stone" to an Associate degree in either Nutrition & Dietetics or Culinary Arts. The required courses help clarify which career educational pathway is right for you and prepare students for entry-level positions in nutrition and foods so you can "earn while you learn." Examples of entry level positions include Diet Aide/Clerk, Nutrition Assistant, Community Health Worker, or Food Service Worker.

Certificate Nutrition & Food Skills Program Mapper

Nutrition Courses

NUTRTN 001 Careers in Nutrition and Foods (1 unit) - offered Fall/Spring only
NUTRTN 021 Nutrition (3 unit, CSU/UC, C-ID NUTR 110 Introduction to Nutrition Science) - offered Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring
NUTRTN 024 Introduction to Food Science (3 units, CSU/UC, C-ID NUTR 120 Principles of Food with Lab) - offered Fall/Spring only

CAREER OPTIONS

Registered Dietitians

Registered Dietitians work in heath care, education, community agencies, sports/athletics, and the food industry in a variety of positions.

Clinical Dietitian - Provides inpatient or outpatient medical nutrition therapy in hospitals, nursing homes, health centers, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs or private practices.
Institutional Food Service Supervisor or Dietary Manager - Supervises institutional kitchens for schools, daycare centers, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities or military operations.
Public Health Nutritionist: Promotes community health through education and food assistance at WIC (Women Infant & Children) agencies, CalFresh Healthy Living programs, or government public health offices.
Sport Dietitian or Performance Dietitian: Ensures optimal fueling for athletes and other very active individuals in college or professional sports, the performing arts, or the military/armed forces.
Food Industry Dietitian/Nutritionist: Provides nutrition expertise in food product/recipe development, food labeling/recipe nutrient analysis, or marketing/nutrition communications.
Specialist Dietitian: Specializes in pediatrics, maternal health, gerontology, diabetes, renal, oncology, gastroenterology, cardiology, eating disorders, substance use, or many other specialities!

Food Scientists

Food Scientists work in the food industry, agriculture, and government agencies in a variety of positions.

Research & Development - Invents new food products (from recipe creation to packaging technology).
Quality Assurance & Control - Ensures compliance with HACCP for food safety and standardization.
Food Safety - Develops and verifies policies to align with health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
Food Chemistry & Analysis - Analyzes food for nutrient composition (for food labeling), contaminants (for food safety), and sensory characteristics (for consumer preference).
Biotechnology - Engineers new foods using biological systems or organisms.
Sustainable Agriculture - Develops ways to produce adequate, safe, healthy food for a growing global population while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Apply now for the $2000 Nutrition Workforce Pathway Scholarship and you'll be on your way to an exciting career in nutrition, dietetics, and food science!

Join our Student Club "SNAC"

The Student Nutrition & Activity Club (SNAC) is an ASO Club for all currently enrolled LAMC students who are interested in nutrition, health, and human performance. Club members receive career mentorship, volunteer work experience, social and academic support, and opportunities to make new friends while developing leadership and health promotion skills.

What does SNAC do?

SNAC members plan and participate in...

Monthly hikes (to help students be physically active, reduce stress, and have fun!)
Monthly outreach tables & "Fuel Stations" (to help students access nourishing food and learn how to fuel their minds/bodies for optimal performance in school, work, sport, and life!)
Bi-monthly meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month during Fall and Spring semesters (to plan activities, share resources, and connect with one another!)

How to get involved?

Follow us on Instagram @lamcSNACclub to find out about upcoming meetings and events.
Contact Faculty Advisor Sheri Barke barkes@lamission.edu to be added to our email list.
Become a member of ASO so you can serve in a SNAC Officer position (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer).

We hope you join our SNAC community!

Students helping students to eat well, be active, and feel good!!!