Foods and Nutrition
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise and Health
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Format
On Campus
Typical Duration
4 years
Class Size
Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1
Program Overview
For more than 100 years, Saint Elizabeth University's Department of Foods and Nutrition has prepared graduates to become leaders in nutrition, health promotion, and dietetics. Building on this tradition, the B.S. in Nutrition, Exercise and Health prepares students for the growing demand for professionals who improve health through evidence-based nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle interventions.
One of the few interdisciplinary programs of its kind in New Jersey, our newly revised curriculum integrates nutrition science, exercise physiology, food studies, health promotion, and behavioral sciences within a liberal arts education grounded in ethical leadership, service, and whole-person development. Students learn to evaluate scientific evidence, promote healthy lifestyles, and address the complex factors that influence health across diverse populations.
Why Nutrition, Exercise and Health?
The Nutrition, Exercise and Health major prepares future health professionals to promote
healthy lifestyles while developing transferable skills valued by employers and graduate
programs:
- Critical thinking and scientific reasoning
- Professional communication and teamwork
- Leadership and ethical decision-making
- Nutrition, fitness, and health assessment
- Health coaching and behavior change
- Evidence-based problem solving
Students graduate with the knowledge and practical skills to help individuals and communities improve health through nutrition, physical activity, behavior change, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions.
Curriculum Highlights
Unique Elements of the Program
- The curriculum combines foundational courses in nutrition, exercise science, food
studies, and health with integrated, application-based learning experiences that prepare
students to think like health professionals.
- Throughout the program, students apply assessment findings to realistic client and
patient case studies, developing and strengthening their clinical reasoning, problem-solving,
and decision-making skills.
- Takes an interdisciplinary approach to prepare graduates to address today's complex
health challenges through prevention, education, and personalized care.
- Students are encouraged to consider a minor to complement their program – such as, Business Management, Sport Management, or Psychology.
Experiential Learning
Every student completes a minimum of 90 hours of supervised experiential learning, providing opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional healthcare, community, fitness, or wellness settings. Based on the student's professional aspirations, additional hours may be recommended. Faculty work closely with students to design meaningful experiential learning experiences that support their professional goals.
Careers and Outcomes
Career Paths
Graduates pursue careers in nutrition and wellness, community and public health, corporate wellness, fitness, health coaching, and health education. The curriculum also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in nutrition and dietetics, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, exercise science, and other graduate and professional health programs. Program faculty work with students to develop individualized career plans and identify any graduate education or professional certifications needed for their chosen career.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2025 and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development – employment in health, wellness, and allied health fields remains strong!
Employment Opportunities and Salary Alignment
| Practice Area | Dietitian / Nutritionists |
Exercise Physiologists |
Education Specialists / Health Promotion Professionals |
Fitness Trainers and Instructors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Median Pay | $69,680/year | $54,860/year | $62,860/year | $45,380/year |
| Job Growth | 7% | 10% | 7% | 14% |
| NJ Median Pay | $70,000–$90,000 | $60,000–$75,000 | $65,000–$85,000 | $50,000+ |
References: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2025 Available
at: https://www.bls.gov, and https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Available at: https://www.nj.gov/labor/
Faculty and Program Contact
Monica Luby, M.S., R.D.N, F.A.N.D
Foods and Nutrition I Assistant Professor
Monica Luby, M.S., R.D.N, F.A.N.D is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and faculty member at Saint Elizabeth University, where she teaches in the Nutrition, Exercise and Health program.
Contact Prof. Luby