Welcome to the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences (HNS). The HNS Department provides undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Exercise Science, Community & Public Health, Physical Education, and Sport and Recreation Management, as well as a number of supporting minors. The integration of academic programs, which focus on nutrition, health, recreation, exercise, and human performance, provides students and faculty with unique opportunities to collaborate and to promote interaction among students in different majors with a common focus on promoting health through proper nutrition and physical activity.
The course offerings help develop students with a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter graduate school or employment within the health care field, industry, or education. Students learn how to critique and analyze research within their designated field and apply that knowledge. Students have access to state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, nationwide internship programs, and study abroad experiences. Our faculty are nationally recognized as experts in their field and are dedicated to student success.
We encourage students to get involved in one the many student organizations associated with each of the major areas of study. Students are able to attend regional and national professional meetings, participate in service projects and research projects.
To indicate your interest in one of our programs, contact our department. We would be happy to visit with you personally about your interests and career goals. We can arrange a campus and department tour, visit a class, or visit with one of our current students or faculty members.
Pre-Professional Areas
Pre-AT, Pre-PT, Pre-OT
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Students gearing up to help with SDHSAA Championship at State
Approximately 140 Sport & Recreation Management undergraduate and graduate students get hands on experience volunteering for the South Dakota High School Championship games. This year, the games for the two-day event are hosted at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium at South Dakota State University. Follow the link and hear how our students have gotten to help gear up the facilities as we prepare to welcome visitors from across the state to our community.
Keloland News: Video and Full Article
Frances Carr Parker Scholarship Recipient
The Frances Carr Parker Scholarship recognizes a longtime School Nutrition Services Professional, Frances Carr Parker, RD, LDN, and was established to support graduate studies to enhance job skills related to the practice of school nutrition. Ellisa has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for 22 years and the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group for six years. Her Master's Thesis work was on children's nutrient intake through the school nutrition programs. She is a consultant dietitian in Sioux Falls, SD and one of her roles is to work with a school in Sioux Falls providing nutrition education to the school's students and staff as well as issuing guidance to the school administration on childhood nutrition standards and goals. Ellisa is currently working on her PhD in Nutrition at SDSU.
Team South Dakota wins the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Student Quiz Bowl
Back in March, Team South Dakota (comprised of athletic training students from South Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University, and Presentation College) won the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association student quiz bowl down in Tulsa, OK. In doing so, they earned the right to represent District 5 (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma) at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association student quiz bowl held this past week in Las Vegas, NV. Team South Dakota competed against 9 other student teams from across the United States out in Las Vegas and came out victorious, correctly answering a final question related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Representing Team South Dakota (left to right) were Kaitlin Reece (SDSU), Maria Koenen (Dakota Wesleyan University), and Krystle Schweers (Presentation College). Advisor Dr. Trevor Roiger is pictured at the far right. The $1,000 dollar top prize will be split between the athletic training student clubs at each of the respective institutions. Congratulations Team South Dakota!
Dr. Weidauer Presented at ACSM
Dr. Lee Weidauer received positive comments for his thematic poster presentation on "Population Differences in the Associations Between IGF-1, Protein Consumption, and Lean Mass" at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
South Dakota State Wins Mascot Challenge
Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) named South Dakota State University (SDSU) as the 2018 Mascot Challenge champion and Shenandoah University as this year's Fan Favorite.
Launched in October 2017, the EIM-OC Mascot Challenge celebrates EIM On Campus Month. Each registered campus is invited to submit a 90-second creative video of its mascot demonstrating campus efforts to activate the vision of EIM and increase physical activity among students, faculty and staff. This year, 16 campuses submitted entries.
As the winner, SDSU will be awarded a $1,000 grant to be used toward the development of an EIM-OC event or program on campus.
Watch the video here
