Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Wellness
Increase your knowledge of nutrition throughout the life span. Learn how to work with diverse groups of clients including people interested in weight loss or improving athletic performance.
Increase your knowledge of nutrition throughout the life span. Learn how to work with diverse groups of clients including people interested in weight loss or improving athletic performance.
Are you interested in disease prevention and health promotion? Would you like to help others understand confusing nutrition information and work with them to change their food-related behaviors? The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Wellness program challenges students to increase their knowledge of the science of nutrition as they learn how to coach individuals to help them set goals to improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic disease.
Explore a variety of career paths with community and public health programs, non-profit organizations (health promotion, health policy), weight management programs, corporate wellness programs, or the fitness industry.
Work toward a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The BS in Dietetics program starts students on a path toward the RDN credential. The curriculum covers science, food science and nutrition. Students gain skills in nutrition assessment, creating nutrition care plans and educating clients of diverse backgrounds.
The BS in Nutritional Sciences is designed for students who want to pursue graduate school in nutrition, food science, medicine or physical therapy or otherwise want a degree that is very heavy in science. Students gain research experience by creating and conducting their own research project.
Ph.D. Michigan State University
M.S. Iowa State University
B.S. University of Iowa
Dietetic Internship, University of Michigan School of Public Health
734-432-5534
Franciscan Center S217-U
Dr. Schmitz is the Department Chair for Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer who became interested in the field of nutrition while working as a high school science teacher in Lesotho, Africa. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has worked in the areas of research, nutrition education and nutritional counseling. She enjoys teaching courses in Nutrition Assessment, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrient Metabolism and Research.
Karen has been active in many professional associations related to nutrition and dietetics, most recently serving as an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Position Paper editor and on the board of the Southeastern Michigan Dietetics Association. She has served as a reviewer for several nutrition textbooks and on advisory boards for dietetic internships. Her recent research includes collaborating with nursing faculty on the project titled, "Teaching Nutrition Screening and Assessment of the Geriatric Patient: An Inter-professional Approach."
In addition, she has worked with many graduate students on research projects related to food waste, nutrition knowledge and the impact of social media. Several of these students have presented their research and won awards at the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference.
M.S. University of Michigan
B.S. Michigan State University
Dietetic Internship, University of Michigan School of Public Health
734-432-5519
Academic Building 1502A
Laura Freeland Kull is the Director of the Undergraduate Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics. She began teaching at Madonna University as an adjunct faculty member in 1997 and joined as full-time faculty and director in 2008. Her interests include food system sustainability, public health nutrition, food insecurity, public policy, and life span nutrition. Laura also serves as the faculty advisor for the Nutrition Network Student Organization.
Laura has worked in clinical nutrition specializing in nutrition support in the long-term care population. She has served in many leadership positions in Dietetics Associations, including President of the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is the recipient of multiple awards including the Michigan Dietetic Association’s Outstanding Educator, the Michigan Dietetic Association’s Registered Dietitian of the Year, The Michigan Dietetic Association Award, the Southeastern Michigan Association Distinguished Service Award and the Volunteer of the Year for the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center.
M.S. Eastern Michigan University
B.S. Madonna University
Dietetic Internship, DMC
734-432-5515
Franciscan Center S217-P
Tina (Christina) Miller has over 30 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Her career has focused on consumer wellness education, academic teaching, mentoring and professional service. At Madonna, Tina has a focus on new program development and course instruction. In addition to teaching, her work experience includes positions in Food and Clinical Nutrition Management, Retail Nutrition and Community Outreach.
Ms. Miler is an active member in the dietetics profession. She has served in many leadership positions in state and national Dietetics Associations, including Past-President of the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Tina served as an advisory board member for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation assisting in the development of “Nutrition in Food Retail” Curriculum for Dietetic Students and Interns. In 2021 Tina was honored by Eastern Michigan University with an Alumni Achievement Award.
