Two new program offerings will be available in the fall of 2026
Elizabethtown College is expanding its academic offerings to meet growing workforce demands through two newly launched majors: Nutrition & Human Performance and Interaction Design & User Experience (IxD). The programs will be available to students beginning in fall 2026.
“These new programs represent the kind of forward-thinking, interdisciplinary approach that defines a dynamic Etown education,” Keri Straub, Elizabethtown College Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communications, said. “Our students are committed to addressing complex, real-world challenges through creativity and a dedication to improving lives. These new academic offerings provide meaningful opportunities to support and advance that work.”
Nutrition & Human Performance Major: Promoting Healthier Lives
A science-based, interdisciplinary program, Nutrition & Human Performance will prepare students for careers that promote healthier individuals and communities and enhance athletic performance across a variety of populations.
“This exciting new academic offering reflects Elizabethtown College’s commitment to expanding dynamic, in-demand programs that prepare students for both graduate study and impactful careers in health and wellness,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Sciences and Health Alan Utter said.
Students will explore how nutrition, exercise science, and human physiology work together to optimize performance, preparing them for entry-level careers or graduate study, including a pathway to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Human Performance, graduates will be equipped for a variety of careers in health, wellness, and nutrition-related industries.
State-of-the-art campus facilities will provide hands-on learning in unique classroom settings and access to industry-standard equipment, including the Human Performance Lab, located within the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Well-Being.
“By integrating strong scientific foundations with applied sport nutrition, this program positions our students to meet growing workforce needs while advancing our mission of delivering relevant, high-quality education,” Utter said.
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow six percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 6,200 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Discover more.
Interaction Design & User Experience (IxD): Where Creativity Meets Problem Solving
Through the Interaction Design and User Experience (IxD) major, students will learn to design and evaluate digital systems in ways that are accessible, responsible, and grounded in real human needs, skills that will remain essential as technologies continue to evolve.
Graduates will be prepared for a range of meaningful careers in interaction design, including roles such as designers, creative directors, and content strategists.
“By building meaningfully on the strengths of our Graphic Design, Computer Science, and Marketing programs, the IxD major expands our commitment to human‑centered design,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities & Professor of Music, Kevin Shorner-Johnson said. “This new degree prepares students to integrate research, design, and ethics in the development of software, websites, systems, and digital experiences.”
Emphasizing essential human skills of audience-centered storytelling, ethical judgment, critical thinking, and empathy, the program equips students to combine creativity and technology to design seamless experiences across websites, mobile apps, products, and emerging platforms.
Hands-on course projects will simulate real-world challenges, preparing students to work with clients and teams in their future careers. These experiences will also help students build a diverse portfolio essential for job applications. Discover more.