Nutrition and Foods (BS) - Foodsystems Management

About

If you enjoy planning or preparing food, developing new food products, catering or managing the business aspects of food service, here is the program for you. Appalachian’s Nutrition and Foods (BS) - Foodsystems Management degree prepares you for careers in the food service and hospitality industry through a curriculum that combines the theoretical aspects of management with food production and distribution.

Nutrition and dietetics is a rapidly expanding field. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in this career field to grow 21% by 2022, which is faster than average for all occupations.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates in this area become directors of food service operations in resorts, hospitals, hotels, colleges and public schools, etc., in addition to positions with contract food companies.

Graduate School: Most students move directly from their bachelor's program into careers and do not pursue graduate school.

Career Exploration website

People

Faculty Profile: Dr. Melissa Gutschall
“I love it when I see a student’s eyes light up about something I’ve taught that they can realistically change to improve their diet and health.”

– Dr. Melissa Gutschall

Meet more faculty
Alumna Profile: Monica Smith '94

Chef Monica Smith has appeared in national cooking competitions and cooked for celebrities, yet she remembers well the university labs where she had so much fun learning.
Student Profile: Lisa Pham

A double major in public health and nutrition and foods, Pham promotes healthy eating and AppEats — a virtual cookbook offering healthy and relatively inexpensive recipes designed for easy preparation in a dorm or small kitchen.

Courses

Program of Study
Four Year Guide

– click on the pdf for your major
NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

Minors

A minor is required in Global Studies; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Public Health; Non-Profit Organizations; Sustainable Development or another area by permission of the program director.

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Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian Student Dietetics Association (ASDA) - an active professional and academic organization that focuses on promoting nutrition and health within the community and on campus.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Degrees

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

Appalachian’s program requires a 200-hour undergraduate internship in food systems management before graduation. The internship gives students vastly more hands-on experience during their undergraduate education than other programs in the region.
This program is housed in the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Contacts

Beaver College of Health Sciences

Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management

Melissa Bryan
Program Director
bryanmm@appstate.edu
828-262-8619

Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management
The Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management in Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences provides graduate and undergraduate programs. The undergraduate health care management program prepares students for entry-level management positions, while the online Master of Health Administration degree is designed for working professionals who desire to advance their careers. The undergraduate nutrition and foods program prepares students for careers in dietetics or food systems management in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and food banks. The highly competitive master’s degree in nutrition provides a pathway for students to become registered dietitians. Learn more at https://nhm.appstate.edu.

Beaver College of Health Sciences
The Beaver College of Health Sciences opened in 2010 as the result of an Appalachian commitment to significantly enhance the health and quality of life for individuals, families and communities in North Carolina and beyond.

Exciting, Growing Career Fields
- Nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs are in fields recognized as growing “faster than average for all occupations” by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Currently over 3,700 students pursue degrees in 16 undergraduate and graduate programs
- Students who graduate are successfully prepared for a variety of general and advanced careers in health care
Real-World Training and Experience
- Programs emphasize coursework, research and clinical outreach with a dedication to cultivating life-long learners and practical skills for the field
- Internships, field experiences and clinical placements in real-world settings in the community and surrounding areas ensure students are prepared to meet existing and future health-related workforce needs, particularly in rural areas
- Interprofessional and collaborative research between students and faculty gives students unparalleled experience in working together with other health and wellness professionals
- Research opportunities alongside over 150 nationally and internationally trained faculty mean students have opportunities to contribute to finding innovative solutions to regional and national problems in their field
Advanced Laboratories and Facilities
- Over 20 laboratories and additional locations for simulated research and applied laboratory training experience
- Partnerships and opportunities with the Wake Forest Physician Assistant Program
- The new Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences that opened in the fall 2018 with innovative classrooms and state-of-the-art labs
- Continued main campus connection through the Holmes Convocation Center, which houses the RMPE Department and the Advising Satellite Office