Program: Pre-Dietetics, A.A. (Western Michigan University) - Grand Rapids Community College

Apr 02, 2025

2019-2020 Catalog

Academic Program Code: 639

The Pre-Dietetics Program at GRCC lays the foundation to transfer to Western Michigan University to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics. This is accomplished by taking the first two years of the program at GRCC and then transferring seamlessly to Western Michigan to complete the final two years of the program.

The Dietetics program at Western Michigan University integrates and applies the principles of the food and nutrition sciences, human behavior, and the biomedical sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings. The program includes instruction in human nutrition; nutrient metabolism; the role of foods and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention; planning and directing food service activities; diet and nutrition analysis and planning; supervision of food storage and preparation; client education; and professional standards and regulations. This GRCC Pre-Major program lays the foundation for students interested in studying these concepts at Western Michigan University. The Bachelor of Science in Dietetics prepares students for careers in hospitals, such as a clinical dietitian, food and nutrition services, commercial food establishments such as restaurants, hotels and industrial facilities; schools, colleges, universities and the armed forces; community health agencies, and private dietetic practice. For more information on career opportunities in dietetics, visit www.eatright.org.

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list. Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below.

English Composition and Communications

EN 101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hours: 3

Humanities

Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas. Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities requirement.

Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Social Sciences

PY 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SO 251 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Natural Sciences

BI 101 - General Biology Credit Hours: 4
OR
BI 151 - Introduction to Cells, Molecules, and Genes Credit Hours: 4
CHM 130 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
CHM 131 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1

Mathematics

MA 215 - Statistics Credit Hours: 4

General Education Total Credit Hours

Program Courses

BI 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
BI 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4
BI 127 - Microbiology Credit Hours: 4
CA 209 - Principles of Food Science Credit Hours: 3
CHM 140 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
CHM 141 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
CHM 240 - Survey of Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: 4

Open Elective Courses

Select courses to be used toward your major, minor, or elective requirements at Western Michigan University. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising in making their selections.

The number of elective credit hours that you will need to complete this Articulated Pre-Major will depend on the number of credit hours that remain in order for you to reach the 62 credits needed to graduate in this program.

Exercise Science and Wellness courses, namely the two EXS courses listed below, may be helpful for students pursuing a Dietetics degree at Western Michigan Univeristy and are recommended open electives. A maximum of two (2) Wellness (WE) credits may be applied to reach the 62 credits needed to graduate in this program.

EXS 203 - The Obesity Epidemic
EXS 225 - Introduction to Public Health

Courses listed below are equivalent to requirements of Western’s Dietetics program, and are also recommended as potential open electives.

GH 200 - General Nutrition
PL 206 - Biomedical Ethics
CIS 100 - Introduction to Computer Information Systems

BA 145 - Computer Applications in Business I

Total Credit Hours

In What Order Should I Take Classes?

Please select courses from the Priority I list. Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed. If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

Priority I	Priority II
EN 101 - English Composition I BI 101 - General Biology OR BI 151 - Introduction to Cells, Molecules, and Genes CHM 130 - General Chemistry I CHM 131 - General Chemistry I Laboratory CA 209 - Principles of Food Science	CHM 140 - General Chemistry II CHM 141 - General Chemistry II Laboratory MA 215 - Statistics PY 201 - General Psychology Humanities General Education - Elective
Priority III	Priority IV
BI 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I CHM 240 - Survey of Organic Chemistry Humanities General Education - Elective SO 251 - Principles of Sociology Open Elective - Variable	BI 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II BI 127 - Microbiology COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication Open Elective - Variable Open Elective - Variable Take open elective courses until you reach 62 credits.

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult My Degree Path for specific degree requirements.