Overview
An integrated approach to professional dietetic training

This dietetic education program is an accredited program recognized by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP).

Students majoring in Foods and Nutrition may apply for admission to the optional Integrated Dietetic Internship Program. The integrated approach to professional training enables students to build upon and apply theoretical knowledge gained from their academic program. On successful completion of the Program, students will have fulfilled the competencies required to reach entry-level professional dietetic competence as determined by the PDEP, and will be eligible to apply for admission to the dietetics profession.

Internship levels and their results will be recorded on students’ transcripts. Upon successful completion of both the accredited degree program and the required internship levels, students will be granted a university certificate attesting to their successful completion of the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program.

Course Structure

In addition to the courses required for the Foods and Nutrition major, students interested in applying for dietetic internship must take:

  • Foods and Nutrition 3210 (Foodservice Systems Management)
  • Foods and Nutrition 3710 (Lifespan Nutrition)
  • Foods and Nutrition 3830 (Professional Practice in Dietetics)
  • Foods and Nutrition 4220 (Quantity Food Production)
  • Foods and Nutrition 4310 (Evidence-Based Practice in the Health Sciences)
  • Foods and Nutrition 4610 (Clinical Nutrition II)

Course sequence 

Following is the usual sequence for completion of courses:

First Year

  • Foods and Nutrition 1010 - Concepts and Controversies in Nutrition
  • Foods and Nutrition - 1110 Introductory Foods
  • Biology 1220 - Human Physiology
  • Biology 1310 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry 1110 - General Chemistry I
  • Chemistry 1120 - General Chemistry II
  • One of BCA 1010, 1020 or 1030
  • Math 1110 - Finite Mathematics OR Math 1120 Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
  • Two 3 semester hours Social Science

Second Year

  • Foods and Nutrition - 2110 Introductory Nutrition I
  • Foods and Nutrition - 2120 Introductory Nutrition II
  • Foods and Nutrition - 2230 Determinants of Dietary Behaviour
  • Foods and Nutrition - 2610 Communications
  • Biology 2060 - Microbiology 
  • Chemistry 2430 - Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences
  • Statistics 1210 - Introductory Statistics 
  • Business 1710 - Organizational Behaviour
  • Two free electives

Third Year

  • Foods and Nutrition 3020 - Advanced Foods
  • Foods and Nutrition 3210 - Foodservice Systems Management
  • Foods and Nutrition 3310 - Introduction to Research Methods
  • Foods and Nutrition 3510 - Nutritional Assessment
  • Foods and Nutrition 3520 - Clinical Nutrition I
  • Foods and Nutrition 3710 - Lifespan Nutrition
  • Foods and Nutrition 3820 - Program Planning & Evaluation
  • Foods and Nutrition 3830 - Professional Practice in Dietetics
  • Chemistry 3530 - Biochemistry
  • One free electives

Fourth Year

  • Foods and Nutrition 4120 - Human Metabolism
  • Foods and Nutrition 4220 - Quantity Food Production
  • Foods and Nutrition 4310 - Evidence-Based Practice in the Health Sciences
  • Foods and Nutrition 4340 - Community Nutrition
  • Foods and Nutrition 4610 - Clinical Nutrition II
  • Five free electives
A student works in a lab
A student works in a lab
Admissions Criteria
What's required for science admission?

High School Graduates

American High School Equivalency Chart

  • Grade 12 Academic English
  • Grade 12 Academic Mathematics
  • Two Grade 12 Academic Science subjects (acceptable subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Oceanography, Animal Science, Environmental Science)
  • One additional Grade 12 Academic course

Please note: Successful completion of Grade 12 Chemistry (or equivalent) is required as a prerequisite for permission to register in CHEM-1110.

Please refer to the BCA Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

Dietetic Internship Requirements

Admission and Continuance

All students majoring in Foods and Nutrition who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with no Foods and Nutrition course below a GPA of 2.7, and have completed the following required courses will be eligible to apply for the program:

  • Foods & Nutrition 1110 Introductory Foods
  • Foods & Nutrition 2110 Introductory Nutrition I
  • Foods & Nutrition 2120 Introductory Nutrition II
  • Foods & Nutrition 2230 Determinants of Dietary Behaviour
  • Foods & Nutrition 3210 Food Service Management
  • Foods & Nutrition 3310 Research Methods
  • Foods & Nutrition 3510 Nutritional Assessment
  • Foods & Nutrition 3830 Professional Practice in Dietetics
  • Chemistry 1110 General Chemistry I
  • Chemistry 1120 General Chemistry II
  • Chemistry 2430 Organic Chemistry
  • Biology 1220 Human Physiology
  • Biology 1310 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology

Interested candidates are encouraged to consult the Director of Internship early in their program to discuss admission and course scheduling. Students interested in pursuing this option are also encouraged to seek relevant paid or unpaid work experience in the summer preceding application. A formal application for admission to the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program is required.  Application forms are available from the department.

A selection panel will determine student admissibility based upon academic performance, paid and unpaid work experience, motivation and personal suitability. Students meeting the admission criteria will be ranked and the top candidates will be interviewed. By the first week of February, the Professional Practice Coordinator Dietetics will notify, in writing, all students interviewed as to the outcome of the process.

Students accepted into the dietetic internship program must show evidence of all immunizations being up to date prior entering the program. As well, each student will be require to show proof of a completed criminal record check prior to the start date.

Continuance Requirements

Once admitted to the program, students must continue in full-time enrolment between internship levels. An academic review of students’ performance will take place at the end of each semester. Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 with no Foods and Nutrition course below a GPA of 2.7. Students who fail to meet these standards or who fail a required course(s) will not be permitted to begin the next internship level until standards are met.

Internship students must complete all of the regular requirements for a Bachelor of Science (Foods and Nutrition) degree. Foods and Nutrition 3210 (Food Service Systems Management), Foods and Nutrition 3830 (Professional Practice in Dietetics), Foods and Nutrition 4220 (Quantity Food Production), Foods and Nutrition 4310 (Evidence Based Practice in the Health Sciences), and Foods and Nutrition 4610 (Clinical Nutrition II) must be included within their degree program.

In addition to the above requirements, students must successfully complete two internship levels.

Internship Schedule 

Students must complete two internship levels in the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program. The first internship level DIET 1000 is scheduled in the spring and summer months between the third and fourth academic years. The second internship level DIET 2000 is completed following graduation from the degree program. The first internship level will include a one week professional practice course, followed by an eight week placement, for a total of 9 weeks. This will be followed by a second internship level of no less then 26 weeks, for a total of at least 35 weeks.

Satisfactory fulfilment of the Integrated Dietetic Internship levels requires:

1. A satisfactory evaluation from the Preceptor at the placement site.
2. Completion of the minimum number of required competencies as indicated on the appropriate evaluation form.

Withdrawal Conditions 

Students will be required to withdraw from the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program if:

  1. They are dismissed from, resign, or fail to achieve the required competencies during the program, or
  2. They do not achieve a passing grade in required courses or do not maintain the standards for nutrition courses and overall GPA necessary for continuance in the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program, or
  3. They fail to abide by the policies and procedures set out by the Advisory Committee for the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program and/or those of the placement organization.

Students who voluntarily withdraw from or who are required to withdraw from the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program may remain in and continue with the regular Foods and Nutrition majors program.

Registration and Fees

Students are required to register for both internship levels according to normal registration procedures. Internship levels will officially be designated on students’ transcripts as pass or fail. Students pay for their internship levels as they are taken. Students accepted to the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program are required to pay an Internship Fee (see Calendar section on fees). This amount is to be paid to the Accounting Office prior to the start date for the specified internship level.

Additional information on policies and procedures related to the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program are available from the department.

Dietitians of America Graduate Internship

The Foods & Nutrition program is an accredited program recognized by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) and prepares students for eligibility to apply for a graduate internship.  

To apply for a position in an accredited graduate dietetic internship program, students must meet the academic requirements established by PDEP and should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their last 30 courses. In addition to the courses required for the Foods and Nutrition major, students interested in applying for a graduate dietetic internship placement must take Foods and Nutrition 3210, Foods and Nutrition 3830, Foods and Nutrition 4220, Foods and Nutrition 4310, and Foods and Nutrition 4610. 

Students should consult with the Director of Internship for details and counselling by the end of second year. 

Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.

BCA has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made BCA home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

 

Fees and Funding
Faculty of Science Programs Tuition

BCA's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards. 

Tuition

$6,390 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($639 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $7,470 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

BCA supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms. 

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

Other BCA programs you might like

Visit the Foods and Nutrition program site and the Integrated Dietetic Internship page for more information.