Undergraduate Nutritional Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences

The Department of Nutritional Sciences has three undergraduate programs resulting in the BS degree in Nutritional Sciences:

  • Coordinated Program in Dietetics: offers a combination of didactic and experiential education which allows graduates to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians following graduation. The program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, allows for the mastery of the foundational knowledge and skills competencies for entry-level dietitians. Classroom learning is combined with 1200 hours of supervised practice.
  • To learn more about the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP), please go to the CP Webpage .        

 The Department also offers a verification program (minimum of three semesters) for individuals holding at least a BS degree, desirous of completing the requirements for dietetics registration.  Learn more from the Program Director.                                                                                                              

  • Community Nutrition: prepares students for positions as community nutritionists with private and government agencies.
  • Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry: focuses on preparing students for entry into medical and dental schools. 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.             
Apply Community Nutrition Plan of Study Pre-Med/Dental Plan of Study
Lower Level

Requirements for admission to the lower level are consistent with those of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. First-time entering freshmen considered for admission to the Department of Nutritional Sciences must submit an application to the Howard University Office of Undergraduate Admissions and present proof of having met the following criteria:

  • Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. certificate.
  • A minimum score of 500 mathematics and 500 verbal on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or an equivalent score on the American College Test (ACT).
  • All students admitted as freshman must have completed the following high school units with a grade of “C” or better: English, mathematics, biology, chemistry.
Upper Level

Students who wish to apply to the Upper level of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics must:

  • Complete and submit an application package to the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The package must contain an essay stating goals and reasons for interest in dietetics, 3 letters of recommendation, and the application form.
  • Complete all prerequisite courses or their equivalents required by the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Have a cumulative grade point average of a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Have a minimal letter grade of “B” in physiology, and nutritional sciences courses. Have no more than one letter grade of “D” in general chemistry, organic chemistry or microbiology.
  • Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of prerequisites as prescribed in the curriculum for the program.
  • Participate in an interview with the Coordinated Program Admission Committee.