Why Choose Russell Sage’s Nutrition Science Bachelor’s Program

Nutrition Science students at Russell Sage benefit from a program designed to prepare them for meaningful careers and advanced study in health, wellness, and dietetics:

  • Russell Sage is one of the top four producers of nutrition graduates in New York State.
  • Our program is a trusted source of community health information and research.
  • Only Nutrition Science bachelor’s degree in New York’s Capital Region.

  • The Nutrition bachelor’s degree includes the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) courses, required to complete the steps toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
  • Two nutrition master’s degrees and a dietetic internship program provide clear routes to advanced credentials.
  • Graduate programs offer in-person, online, and distance delivery options for a flexible and affordable experience.

  • Interact with students across Russell Sage’s physical therapy, occupational therapy, health sciences, and nursing programs, preparing you for interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • If you’re planning to become a New York State-licensed RDN, choosing a degree program in New York can help you meet state requirements. 
  • Hands-on coursework, internships, and community engagement build real-world skills for careers in nutrition, wellness, and health promotion.

  • Structured community engagement experiences help students understand real-world nutrition challenges and build professional skills.
  • Funding opportunities such as the Guy Torre Nutrition Travel Award support study abroad experiences that expand perspectives on food, culture, and global health.
  • Department awards recognize leadership, academic achievement, and promise in the field of nutrition science.

Accreditation: Russell Sage College’s Nutrition Science program is registered with the New York State Department of Education and fulfills the competencies mandated by the State Education Department for New York State Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist status.

The program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND): https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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Best Class Ever: Nutrition and Dietetics: Farm to Family Wheels, with graduate student Leah Waldron ’25

Hear from Leah as they describe their experience working with the Farm to Family Wheels program at Schenectady City School District as part of Dr. Houser’s summer meals research team. Through the program, students help distribute fresh New York State produce to community members while gaining firsthand insight into food access, community nutrition and the connections between local farmers, food distribution and families.

Upstate Living Interview with Assistant Professor and Chef Selina Preyer-Blakney and Student Summer Ashley

In this Upstate Living segment, Selina shares tips for building a balanced breakfast and highlights Russell Sage’s hands-on approach to food science and nutrition education.

Summer discusses her experience learning through Sage’s hands-on food labs and her interest in pursuing a career in community nutrition.

Make it Taste Good

Nutrition students at Russell Sage College hit the lab to turn complex food science into practical, delicious everyday cooking skills.

Watch the full clip to see how these students build foundational skills for their future healthcare careers:

Experiential Learning and Immersive Coursework  

A Hands-On Nutrition Degree: Labs, Research, and Professional Events

  • Learn in specialized facilities such as the Hannaford Nutrition Assessment Research Lab and the Manor Nutrition Science Lab.
  • Learn from faculty with diverse professional experiences in sports nutrition, epidemiology, food and nutrition policy, pediatric nutrition, and more.
  • Take part in faculty-mentored research and experiential learning projects with local organizations, such as the United Way Summer Meals Collaborative, where students plan and analyze menus, scale recipes, and evaluate programs to improve community nutrition. Join department events like the annual spring conference, where professionals and community members come together to learn from and connect with experts on timely topics, like perimenopause.
View Program Catalog for Course Requirements

Nutrition Internships and Careers in New York’s Capital Region

Sage’s Troy and Albany campuses place students in the heart of New York’s Capital Region — a hub for healthcare, research, and community service. Students pursue internships and service and experiential learning with organizations such as:

  • Albany Medical Center, the largest regionally governed not-for-profit health system in the Northeast
  • State and local health departments
  • Schools and community nutrition programs
  • Health-related startups and food-focused businesses

You’ll find abundant opportunities to connect classroom learning to professional practice in dietetics, public health, wellness, and food entrepreneurship.

Student Life, Clubs, and City Living

When you’re not in class or an applied learning experience, Sage offers a vibrant college experience:

  • Walkable campuses in vibrant neighborhoods, with a free shuttle between Troy and Albany
  • 30+ student clubs and organizations to explore personal interests and professional development
  • Intramural sports and Division III athletics
  • A professional theatre company and campus art gallery

Additional Program Information

View Course Catalog
Nutrition Handbook
Program Goals & Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Tuition & Fees

Affordability, Admissions, and Transferring

Affording a Nutrition Degree

We understand that cost and value are top concerns when choosing a college. You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. For now, we can tell you:

What to Know:

  • Russell Sage prioritizes college access and affordability. We have been included on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for Social Mobility list for seven consecutive years.
  • 100% of incoming, full-time undergraduates at Russell Sage receive financial aid.
  • Transfer merit scholarships are generous compared to other colleges – starting at $20,000 to $22,000 a year.
  • In many cases, Russell Sage is more affordable than SUNY or other private schools.
  • We want to make every transfer students’ credits count, just one of the reasons we’ve been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for seven straight years.

Don’t forget! You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. 

Apply to Russell Sage’s Nutrition Science Degree Program

Full application details and next steps are available through the Admissions Office.

Start Your Application

Transfer to Russell Sage’s Nutrition Science Degree Program

Russell Sage welcomes transfer students and provides a supportive and straightforward transfer process.

Explore Transfer Experience

What Can I Do with a Nutrition Degree?

Check Out Our Student and Alumni Success Stories

Graduates of Sage’s B.S. in Nutrition Science program pursue careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and professionals in healthcare, community organizations, business, athletics, research, and more. Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow as demand increases for expertise in disease prevention, wellness, and food systems.

Explore Career Pathways for Nutrition Majors

After completing your bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, you’ll be eligible to apply for an accredited Dietetic Internship program. Many students pursue Russell Sage College’s Dietetic Internship program.

You’ll get a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised practice, preparing you to take the next step: passing the CDR’s dietetic registration exam.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12 a.m. (midnight) Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement, visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Russell Sage College are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice.

Graduates of the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years had a 100% match rate to Dietetic Internships. Students have gone on to pursue Dietetic Internships at Russell Sage College, Case Western University, University of Buffalo, Bronx VA, Chicago VA, Minneapolis VA, Tulane University and State University of Denver.

Apply evidence-based nutrition science to help individuals and communities improve health, manage disease, and support wellbeing across the lifespan. Common work settings include:

  • Clinical Nutrition – hospitals, healthcare systems, and long-term care settings 
  • Community and Public Health Nutrition – public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and outreach programs
  • Sports and Performance Nutrition – collegiate athletics, fitness organizations, corporate wellness programs
  • Industry or Regulatory Roles – food companies, government agencies, product development, labeling compliance, communications
  • Research and Higher Education – universities, healthcare systems, and research organizations studying nutrition science and public health
  • Private Practice 

Why Russell Sage: Complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework required to pursue RDN credentialing while gaining practical experience through applied projects, community engagement, and faculty mentorship. Learn from professors with real-world RDN experience and explore career possibilities across clinical, community, sports, and industry settings.

Apply nutrition knowledge in roles that may not require RDN credentialing. Examples include:

  • Health and wellness coaching
  • Community program coordination
  • Food entrepreneurship and culinary ventures
  • Corporate wellness support roles
  • Nutrition communications and education
  • Graduate study in related fields, like public health

Why Russell Sage: Strong preparation in nutrition science, communication, and community engagement supports a wide range of career directions.

Frequently Asked Questions — Nutrition Bachelor’s Degree

Yes! Sage’s undergraduate Nutrition program welcomes transfer students. Formal articulation agreements with the Nutrition A.S. program at SUNY Schenectady County Community College and the Liberal Arts A.A. program at Maria College make the process especially seamless.Russell Sage has earned a spot on Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll six consecutive years, highlighting our commitment to a seamless transfer experience.

You’ll take courses in Nutrition Sciences such as:

  • Introduction to Food Science
  • Management and Leadership in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Nutrition Counseling
  • Current Issue in Nutrition
  • Exercise Physiology

You’ll complement the required courses for Nutrition majors with general education classes, which build broad skills in areas like communication, writing, and critical thinking, as well as electives that let you explore other academic interests.Russell Sage’s curriculum includes Didactic Program in Dietetics coursework, the required set of classes for students who plan to pursue a Dietetic Internship and ultimately take the RDN exam.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are licensed healthcare professionals whose role is regulated in most states. To become an RDN, individuals must earn at least a master’s degree, complete a supervised practice program, pass a national licensing exam, and complete ongoing continuing education. In New York, RDNs must also obtain state certification.

The term “nutritionist” is not regulated in many places, meaning the education and training required can vary. Some nutritionists have formal degrees and certifications in nutrition-related fields, while others may use the title without standardized training. In certain states, certification requirements for nutritionists exist, but they are typically less standardized and may come with more limited scopes of practice compared to RDNs.

Becoming an RDN requires a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a supervised practice program called a Dietetic Internship. Many students who know they want to become an RDN complete an undergraduate nutrition degree that includes Didactic Program in Dietetics — or DPD — coursework, which is required to apply for a Dietetic Internship. After meeting the education and supervised experience requirements, candidates pass a national exam and meet state licensing requirements to practice.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists work in specialties such as sports nutrition, pediatric nutrition, gerontological nutrition, renal nutrition, and oncology nutrition. They work in settings including hospitals, schools, public health programs, private practice, food companies, and research or policy roles. Most RDNs choose a specialty after gaining experience through graduate study and supervised practice.

Nutrition education programs are competitive and academically rigorous. To be a strong applicant and feel prepared for college, keep these tips in mind:

  • Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for admission.
  • Take four years of math and science in high school: Four years of both is required for admission and important preparation for college coursework.
  • Consider taking core science classes — like biology and chemistry — in college, even if you’ve taken AP or dual-enrollment versions in high school. This can help  ensure you have the proper foundation for advanced and graduate-level classes.

Latest News and Stories

Have questions about a Nutrition Science degree?

Sonya Hauser
Sonya Hauser
Associate Professor of Nutrition
hauses@sage.edu
Selina Preyer-Blakney
Selina Preyer-Blakney, MS, RDN
Assistant Professor of Nutrition
preyes@sage.edu
Theresa DeLorenzo
Theresa DeLorenzo
Assistant Professor of Nutrition
delort@sage.edu

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