HNDS专业的“饮食学选修课”着重于饮食科学，提供许多基础科学课程。该选项使毕业生能够追求注册的营养师证书并在临床环境中工作。Dietetics Option已获得营养与营养学教育认可委员会（ACEND）的认可。该选项使学生做好准备成为在社区和公共卫生场所工作的营养教育者。该选项侧重于健康和保健，营养与健康之间的关联以及教导健康的生活。营养教育选修课程的毕业生将学到沟通基于证据的营养信息，提供营养教育以及将营养与其他健康科学学科融合的技能。从该计划毕业的人的就业机会包括在县级机构，推广服务，社区营养计划，
The Dietetics option prepares students to become registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTR). This option encompasses nutritional science, clinical dietetics, community nutrition, food science and food service management. <br>All students enrolled in this option begin as Pre-Dietetics students. All Pre-Dietetics students are required to apply for admission into the Dietetics option in the fall semester of their junior year as indicated on the Pre-Dietetics/Dietetics road map. Please refer to the HNDS Undergraduate Student Handbook for information on the admissions criteria, application instructions, and the application process. Pre-Dietetic students are termed Dietetic students upon formal notification of admission into the Dietetics program.<br>The Dietetics option is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This option enables graduates to continue pursuing the credentials of a registered dietitian (RD). Becoming an RD is currently a three-step process:<br>Successfully complete an ACEND-accredited DPD program (e.g. the NMSU Dietetics Option), earn a degree and a verification statement<br>The verification statement ensures eligibility to apply to the next step.<br>Successfully complete an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) program, earn another verification statement.<br>This 2nd verification statement ensures eligibility to begin the next step.<br>Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registration exam.<br>To earn a Verification Statement from the NMSU DPD, students must:<br>Complete all classes outlined in the Dietetics option roadmap.<br>Attain a C or higher (on campus or transfer) in classes with CHEM, BCHE, BIOL, SPMD, AHS/CHSS/NURS, FSTE and NUTR prefixes (C- does not count toward degree).