History of the Department of Nutrition

The Department of Nutrition has a long history at ASU. Originally the department was a part of the Department of Family Resources and Human Development (FRHD). The FRHD Department began in 1909 as Domestic Science at Tempe Normal School, with the first degrees granted in 1915. During the 1930s, Home Economics Education was the primary departmental career emphasis, and by this time, Home Economics graduates could earn a master's degree in education. Subsequently, a new building was constructed to house the Child Development Laboratory and a Home Management Residence program was added to department facilities. By 1974, the preschool evolved from a nursery school to today's Child Development Laboratory. A new department building was completed and dedicated in 1951, which continues to be the FRHD Department's central location. In 1990, this building's name was changed to the Cowden Family Resources Building.

In the early 1980s, research and scholarly productivity increased, as the priorities at the department, college and university levels became focused on programmatic research as a condition for tenure and promotion. At this time, the name of the department was changed from Home Economics to Family Resources and Human Development. Consequently, a determination was made to focus on achieving excellence within the two strongest areas: Child Development and Family Studies (FAS/CDE), and Foods and Nutrition (FON). Because of the focus on building strength in the FAS/CDE and FON areas, the programs in Textiles/Clothing and Consumer Economics were phased out.

In Spring 1999, the title of the general master's degree in FRHD was changed to Master of Science in Human Nutrition. In November 1999, the Board of Regents approved the transfer of the Nutrition program to the School of Applied Arts & Sciences at ASU's Polytechnic campus, where the department has been since July 1, 2000.

In 2005, the Arizona Board of Regents approved the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness (PANW) which is offered jointly by the Departments of Nutrition and Exercise and Wellness on the Polytechnic campus. This program is designed to prepare scholars and teachers in the area of healthy lifestyle promotion. The program focuses on issues that contribute to health through the reduction of disease risk, quality of life promotion, and enhancement of well being. While many healthy lifestyles are studied, the emphasis is on physically active living and sound nutrition.