Miami University is one of the oldest public universities in the country, made possible by an ordinance signed by President George Washington in 1795. Chartered in 1809, Miami welcomed its first students in 1824. A liberal education core provides the foundation for the more specialized studies of the majors, immersing students in both academic and co-curricular experiences. Miami's name reflects the history of the Native American tribe that once inhabited the Miami Valley region of Ohio. Miami maintains strong ties with the Miami Tribe, now located in Oklahoma. The main campus in Oxford, Ohio (35 miles north of Cincinnati) encompasses 2,138 acres and includes 188 buildings. Based on Fall 2014 enrollment, 15,813 undergraduates and 2,643 graduate students study on the Oxford campus. Miami offers bachelor's degrees in over 120 areas of study. Graduate students choose from more than 60 master's degrees and 12 doctoral degree programs. 

Miami University consistently ranks among the nation's top public universities for the quality of teaching and overall student experience. For the fifth year in a row, Miami was ranked number one among public universities with an exceptionally strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in the 2015 edition of America’s Best Colleges by the US News & World Report. The 2015 Fiske Guide to Colleges recognized Miami for its “high caliber of student body” and “professors' knowledge and willingness to help” in its list of the “best and most interesting colleges and universities.”

Nutrition and Dietetics has a longstanding history at Miami University with food science courses offered beginning in 1908-09. Following in 1915, the Home Economics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences was established and offered food and nutrition courses. The Dietetics program first appeared in the 1945-56 catalogue. The Didactic Program in Dietetics was first established in 1974 and was subsequently granted accreditation in 2004 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. Most recently, the DPD program received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) in 2015, and generally graduates approximately 30 students each year. Graduate outcomes have been strong with a 95% pass rate on the registration exam and 88% placement rate in internships for the previous five years. The graduate placement rate in internships was 100% in 2015.

The Combined Master’s Degree and Dietetics Internship is the most recent expansion to provide students with the ability to complete a Master’s degree and the required internship to become a Registered Dietitian. This is in response to growing advanced professional need in the community for more qualified nutrition professionals.