Missouri State University

BS Four-Year Graduation Plan

The didactic program of dietetics at Missouri State University can be completed in four years or eight semesters. This does not take into account transfer credit from a university or completion of summer courses which may alter the sample schedule provided below. You are encouraged to apply to the dietetics program as soon as program requirements are met, but you may declare the dietetics major at any time. Prerequisite courses are required for several of the required dietetics courses. Following the four-year schedule and regular consultation with your advisor is critical.

View the university academic calendar. 

Sample schedule

The sample schedule below is based on a four-year graduation plan and does not take in account dual enrollment courses.

A list of course offerings is listed on the course rotation page.

First semester (fall)

First semester courses Credit hours
GEP 101 First-Year Foundations2
ENG 110 Writing I3
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology (Required for Dietetics Prereq for BMS 340) Meets Self-Understanding: Social/Behavioral Gen Ed.3
KIN 100 Fitness for Living2
CHM 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry EM 160 and CHEM 161: General Chemistry. CHM 105 is minimum requirement. (if taken 160/161/170/171 are not required)5
CIS/CSC 101 Computers for Learning2
Total hours17

Second semester (spring)

Second semester courses Credit hours
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Culture and Society: Social Sciences Perspective Gen Ed. (ECO 155, SOC 150 OR AGR 100)3
BMS 110 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences4
MTH 135 College Algebra3
Creativity & Vision General Education (Choose from ART 209, DAN 180, ENG 203, ENG 205, ENG 215, MUS 241, THE 101,THE 109) OR CHM 170* General Chemistry II and CHM 171 General Chemistry Lab3-4
Total hours16-17

Third semester (fall)

Third semester courses Credit hours
BMS 240 Introduction to Nutrition (Prereq CHM 105, CHM 160)3
CHM 200: Essentials of Organic Chemistry (Prereqs)3-5
BIO 210 Elements of Microbiology3
HST 121 or 122 History of the US3
Culture & Society* Humanities Gen Ed. (recommended no required; PHI 115, REL 131 OR IDS 397)3
Total hours16

Fourth semester (spring)

Fourth semester courses Credit hours
BMS 305 Introduction to Dietetics (Prereq BMS 240 OR concurrent enrollment)1
BMS 307 Human Anatomy (Prereq C or better in BMS 110)4
BMS 332 Food and Culture (Prereq BMS 240 OR Permission)3
BMS 330 Food Selection and Preparation for Health (Prereq BMS 240 OR concurrent enrollment)3
General Education Self-Understanding Humanities Perspective (Choose from ART 200, ENG 287, ENG 380, LLT 180, MUS 239, PHI 105, PHI 110, REL 100 or REL 210)3
CHM 170/171 (If not completed in first semester)4
Total hours14-18

Fifth semester (fall)

Fifth semester courses Credit hours
MTH 340, MTH 545, PSY 200, QBA 237 OR SOC 302 (Statistics) 3
BMS 333 Life Span Nutrition (Prereq BMS 240)3
ACC 109 (Intersession)1
BMS 308 Human Physiology (Prereq C or better in BMS 307 & CHM 105 OR CHM 160)4
MGT 340 Organizational Behavior and Management3
BMS 340 Nutrition Education (Prereq BMS 240, BMS 330 OR concurrent enrollment, and PSY 121)2
Total hours16

Sixth semester (spring)

Sixth semester courses Credit hours
BMS 335 Nutritional Assessment (Prereq BMS 240 OR Permission)3
BMS 331 Food Science (Prereq BMS 330, CHM 200, BMS 240) 4
ENG 321 Technical Writing (Meets Writing II Gen Ed Requirement)3
BMS 532 Human Nutrition and Metabolism (Prereq BMS 240, 308, and CHM 200)3
CHM 352 Introduction to Biochemistry3
Total hours16

Seventh semester (fall)

Seventh semester courses Credit hours
BMS 536 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Prereq BMS 335, BMS 532, CHM 352 OR concurrent enrollment) 4
BMS 438 Administrative Dietetics (Prereq BMS 240, 330, ACC 109, MGT 340 and BIO 210 OR concurrent enrollment) 4
BMS 539 Senior Seminar in Dietetics1
BMS 430 Sports Nutrition (Prereq BMS 240 and BMS 335)3
BMS 338 Food Safety Certification1
PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship3
Total hours16

Eighth semester (spring)

Eighth semester courses Credit hours
BMS 230 Human Genetics3
BMS 445 Community Nutrition (Prereq BMS 335 and PLS 101. Recommended: BMS 333 and MGT 340)3
BMS 546 Medical Nutrition Therapy II4
BMS 595 Undergraduate Research (Prereq Statistics course completed)1
BMS 550 Nutrition Counseling (Prereq BMS 340 OR current enrollment)2
Total hours13

NOTE: *CHM 161, 170, and 171 must be taken if the student has taken CHM 160. CHM 105 meets the general requirement for chemistry. 

If you have completed CHM 160 and 170 you may schedule CHM 353 to complete a minor in chemistry.