UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 5, Page 2                                
October 1, 1992                                                
Student interest increases in nutrition, dietetics             
                                                               
     As interest in nutrition and healthy eating has swept the       
country, so has interest in nutrition and dietetics as a major       
escalated at the University, according to Jack Smith, chairperson of 
the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.                           
     In September 1989, there were 76 students in the department. This        
fall, 172 students are enrolled in the program, including nine minors,        
an increase of 126 percent, Smith said.                              
     Many students from the University transfer into the program; in 
1990-91, 69 percent of new students were internal transfers.         
     The basic course, "Nutrition Concepts," is a popular elective   
with students, according to Smith. This semester, approximately 750  
students are enrolled.                                               
     Smith attributes the rise in enrollment, in large measure, to a 
concerted effort by faculty and students, through personal contact,  
telephone calls, advisement and informative brochures and            
publications. Louise Little, associate professor and assistant       
chairperson, has coordinated the recruitment program.                
     The recruiting effort has been so effective that it was written    
up in the Dietetic Educational Practitioners journal by Carolyn      
Manning, assistant professor in the department.                      
     A nutrition and dietetics major is not just for those who are   
considering careers in the field, Smith said. For example, a         
nutritional sciences major is a good choice for students who are     
interested in graduate training in medicine, physical therapy or     
pharmacy.                                                            
     Another option is the applied nutrition major where students can
combine nutrition with another focus of study, such as fitness,      
gerontology, communication, food service management or other related 
areas.                                                               
     The dietetics major is for those who plan to become certified   
dietitians. To qualify, they are required to have 1,000 hours of     
internship or  supervised practice after graduation.                 
     The other good news, according to Smith, is there are many job     
opportunities in the field of nutrition and dietetics for those who  
qualify.                                                             
                                        -Sue Moncure