Students Delve Into Bastyr's Newest Nutrition Degree Options

To further enhance the wide variety of degree options available to undergraduate students, Bastyr added two more innovative programs this fall: a BS with a Major in Nutrition and Culinary Arts (one of the first programs of its kind in the U.S) and a BS with a Major in Nutrition and Exercise Science.

The combination nutrition and culinary arts degree applies Bastyr University's signature whole-food approach to the culinary arts. Students enrolled in the program will receive an education founded in nutrition and food science, while also developing culinary skills and an understanding of the therapeutic aspects of food. Sasha Selden, 35, is just one of many students excited to obtain a wealth of information about whole-food nutrition and cooking through the program. She wants to share this knowledge with people in her home town of El Paso, Texas. "I'm from a border city, and we don't have access to all of this knowledge about whole foods and organics that you have in this part of the country," she explains. "I want to use this degree to teach people how to prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease through their food choices."

"I wanted to find a program that was more science-based; not a culinary school," says Allison Villa, 21, who also enrolled in the nutrition and culinary arts major this fall. "This program is the perfect combination of science and cooking. It's very exciting." Villa's long-term goal is to create integrative lunch programs for public schools that include foods from their own organic gardens. "I know some schools have started that kind of thing, but usually it's either just a nutrition program or a food-growing program. I plan to incorporate both. It's a good time for this type of venture, since right now there is a big push to improve school lunch programs." 

Many of the recipes in the curriculum are devised by Cynthia Lair, a longtime instructor of Bastyr's popular Whole Foods Production class and the University's new culinary curriculum director. An actress and cookbook author on the side, Lair features many of the recipes on her online cooking show, Cookus Interruptus.

The BS with a Major in Nutrition and Exercise Science combines the curriculum of Bastyr's undergraduate nutrition degree programs, which emphasize a "whole-food" approach, with that of its exercise science and wellness degree program, which integrates exercise physiology and holistic health and wellness. Robert McCauley, 23, was thrilled to learn about the program. He originally enrolled in the exercise science and wellness major, hoping to add the nutrition major to his studies later. He would have preferred, however, not to have to split the two disciplines apart, as he believes exercise and nutrition are both integral to good health. "When the combination major came along, I thought 'this is great.' It was just perfect for what I wanted to do," says McCauley, who is considering pursuing a graduate degree in nutrition or physical therapy. 

McCauley is thus far pleased with the program. "I love the classes," he says. The program is really everything I expected it to be. There are great people and great teachers, and the size of the school is really nice; it helps you easily connect with people. It's really a nice community — I absolutely love it here." Although graduate school is on his radar screen, McCauley is already gaining such a wealth of knowledge at Bastyr he just may change his mind. "I'm leaving it open-ended. There's always the chance I will have a great opportunity and get a nice job after I graduate."

Learn more about Bastyr's newest bachelor's programs.

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