Nutritional Sciences
The field of nutritional sciences offers promising careers in which individuals can function professionally as nutritionists and dietitians.
The Department of Nutritional Sciences (DNS) was established in 1991 from the merger of the Department of Human Nutrition and Food in the then School of Human Ecology, and the Department of Clinical Nutrition in the then College of Allied Health Sciences. With increasing recognition of the association between diet and disease and the importance of diet in health promotion, nutritionists and dietitians are needed to participate in research, to educate the public on ways to promote health through diet, and to educate individuals suffering from chronic diseases on ways to incorporate dietary modifications into their lifestyles. Additionally, a degree in nutrition can be used as a foundation to prepare for graduate school as well as entry into professional schools such as dietetics, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or other advanced degrees in business and education.
Interim Chair
Dr. Katherine Manuel, Ph.D., RD, LDN, FAND
Email: kmmanuel@howard.edu
Phone: (202) 250-6772
The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science degree with emphases in Health Education, Management, and Pre-medicine/Pre-dentistry.
The curricula allow students to complete the general education and basic science courses in the first two years. During the last two years, students, along with their advisers, select courses that prepare them to pursue one of the three emphases. Many students use this foundation at the baccalaureate level to prepare for further graduate or professional study in nutrition, medicine or dentistry.
The Health Education and Management emphases prepare students to apply to graduate Dietetics programs. Students who complete the Health Education emphasis are also eligible to write the exam for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) to earn the CHES credential.
The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry emphasis prepares graduates for entry into medical and dental schools without having to take additional courses outside of the University’s required 120 credits.
As part of the Graduate School, the Department offers a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences with emphases in Experimental Nutrition, Community Nutrition, and Dietetics (hyperlink Dietetics to CP website: Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)) and a doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Nutritional Sciences with emphases in Experimental Nutrition and Community Nutrition.
Details about the DNS graduate program can be found here. Graduate Student Manual
For details about our application process, tuition and fees, financial aid, and any other questions, please visit the links below.
Howard University Graduate School (hyperlink to the Graduate School: (HU Graduate School)
Master’s in Nutritional Sciences: (Nutritional Sciences (M.S.))
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Degree in Nutritional Sciences: (Nutritional Sciences (Ph.D.)