Colorado State University - Pueblo offers BS in Nutrition/Food Science degree with CSU

Pueblo- Students aspiring to be nutritionists or dietitians now can pursue their dreams in Pueblo. Colorado State University and Colorado State University – Pueblo have combined efforts to offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics option, on the CSU-Pueblo campus. Students will be able to complete graduation requirements for the BS degree program offered by CSU Fort Collins, by completing all four years of curriculum requirements in Pueblo. Degrees will be conferred by Colorado State University – Fort Collins, as authorized by the CSU System Board of Governors, and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

The CSU dietetics program is a well-balanced curriculum which meets current American Dietetics Association Didactic Program course requirements. The science-based nutrition curriculum includes such courses as Medical Nutrition Therapy and Integrative Nutrition and Metabolism. In the clinical nutrition area, supporting courses are in the physical, biological, and social sciences. In the foodservice area, the supporting courses emphasize foods, operational controls, and personnel. Community nutrition deals primarily with nutrition education and nutrition programs and services. The dietetics concentration is appropriate for students who eventually would like to become practicing nutritionists or dietitians. Because it meets ADA Didactic Program requirements broadly, it is appropriate as preparation for a dietetic internship or Combined Master of Science/Internship Program. It can also provide a suitable foundation on which to build a graduate program. The dietetics program at CSU has been ranked as high as 5th nationally, based on recent Gorman Reports.

Initial admission and enrollment of students will be handled at CSU – Pueblo with completion of 77 credit hours of required CSU-Pueblo courses. Students will major in biology with a pre-nutrition emphasis. Upon meeting appropriate admissions criteria to the CSU – Fort Collins program, students will complete 43 credit hours of CSU-Fort Collins curricular requirements through distance education delivery formats. Students will also complete a practicum in Pueblo through placement with participating agencies, hospitals, schools, etc.

According to Kristy Proctor, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, The trends of nutrition-based problems within our society such as the increased occurrence and proliferation of diabetes and obesity make this collaboration timely and significant.

“CSU-Pueblo is thrilled to assist in bringing this high quality and much-needed BS degree program to the Pueblo community and to serving students who wish to complete their BS degree in nutrition-dietetics in Pueblo,” she said. “The presence of the program on the CSU-Pueblo campus not only will serve to increase the number of qualified nutrition specialists and educators in the region, but also will provide opportunities for collaborative research in areas having relevance to food science and nutrition.

April Mason, Dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences at CSU--Fort Collins, and nutrition professional herself, said, "This joint program will lead to more qualified nutrition professionals, who are needed to address the significant health and wellness issues facing our society. I am pleased our two campuses can work together to address this important need."

CSU-Pueblo is accepting applications now for admission into the first cohort of pre-nutrition majors for fall 2005. Interested students should contact Dr. Helen Caprioglio, CSU-Pueblo Associate Professor of Biology, at (719) 529-2815. Additional information can be obtained by calling Dr. Mary Harris, CSU DPD/Internship Director, at (970) 491-7462, or visiting the program website at www.colostate.edu/Depts/FSHN/.


Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.