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Degree Plan

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (ACEND Accredited Track)

The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (ACEND Accredited Track) at The University of Houston is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (ACEND). Upon completion of this degree students are eligible to apply for entry into a supervised practice program which will make them eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/N). At the undergraduate level, this degree emphasizes the knowledge and skills essential for competent entry-level dietetics practice.

(Note: Degree plans can vary each year - please consult with your HHP advisor for your degree plan year)

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (Nutrition and Fitness Track)

The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (Nutrition and Fitness Track) is a degree plan designed to emphasize the basics of nutrition and wellness. Students will receive integrated coursework in both nutrition and kinesiology.

The Nutrition and Fitness Track is not a pathway to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/N), students wishing to pursue the RD/N credential must complete the ACEND Accredited Track.

(Note: Degree plans can vary each year - please consult with your HHP advisor for your degree plan year)

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (Nutritional Sciences Track)

The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods (Nutritional Sciences Track) is a degree plan designed to prepare students to apply for post-graduate professional programs in medicine, dental, optometry, pharmacy and other post-graduate programs in the health care arena. Students preparing to apply for professional programs after graduation must complete the degree requirements and the prerequisites for the post-graduate health profession of their choice. Students earning a degree in the Nutritional Sciences track will have an in-depth knowledge of the science of nutrition and a solid foundation in applied science.

The Nutritional Science track is not a pathway to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/N), students wishing to pursue the RD/N credential must complete the ACEND Accredited Track.

(Note: Degree plans can vary each year - please consult with your HHP advisor for your degree plan year)

Admission

Applicants may be considered for admission to an undergraduate program on the basis of graduation from an accredited high school, as college transfer students, by entrance examination, or through a combination of these criteria. Applications for admission to the University of Houston may be obtained by contacting:

Office of Admissions
129 Ezekiel W. Cullen Building
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-2161
713-743-1010

Visit the UH admissions website

Information for transfer students

Information for Post-baccalaureate students

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree

  1. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of courses. At least 36 of those 120 hours must be advanced.

  2. All students must initially enroll in the BS in Human Nutrition and Foods, Nutrition and Fitness Track and apply for admission into the ACEND Accredited Track or the Nutritional Sciences Track. Admission requirements for these tracks include Junior Standing. For the ACEND track, Students must complete CHEM 1311/1111 (formerly CHEM 1331/1131) and CHEM 1312/1112 (formerly CHEM 1332/1132), NUTR 3101, and a minimum of 12 hours from the DPD course list with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher to declare the ACEND subplan. All attempted DPD coursework will be used in GPA calculation for the ACEND admission process. GPA will include transfer GPA and UH GPA. The highest grade received for the course will be used in the GPA calculation. For the Nutritional Sciences track, a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. Admission application is available through the Health and Human Performance Academic Advising Center.

  3. Students must complete core curriculum requirements. See the Undergraduate Catalog or your assigned academic advisor for approved courses or for information regarding credit for courses by examination.

  4. Candidates for any Bachelor of Science degree must complete at least 12 semester hours in math. A degree in Human Nutrition and Foods requires MATH 1310, MATH 2311 or PSYC 3301, and 6 additional hours of core-approved Math Reasoning.

  5. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average in courses attempted at the university.

  6. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average in courses attempted in the major at the university.

  7. Students cannot satisfy any degree requirements in their major with advanced (3000 to 4000 level) courses that were completed more than seven years before the semester in which the degree is awarded, unless they receive permission from their college dean.

  8. A maximum of 66 credit hours (lower level) will transfer from all 2-year & 4-year schools to the University of Houston. In addition, students must complete at least 30 semester hours in residence and the last 30 semester hours to be applied towards the degree must be taken in residence.

  9. Students must apply for the degree on or before published dates. Contact your academic advisor prior to registering for your final semester for specific dates.

Requirements for Earning a Verification Statement

Verification Statements:  A verification statement is an official document that certifies successful completion of a baccalaureate degree and the requirements of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. A verification statement from UH is required to be eligible for supervised practice through a Dietetic Internship program or to attempt the registration examination for Nutrition Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR exam). UH students must complete the ACEND Accredited Track with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Didactic Program in Dietetics required coursework to qualify for a verification statement.

Verification Statements require a minimum of four weeks post program completion to process. Students must inform the Didactic Program Director of program completion date and make arrangements to collect the Verification Statement either on campus or by mail. Students should provide the appropriate address at the time of request if they would like the Verification Statement mailed.

Only students pursuing the BS in Human Nutrition and Foods on the ACEND Accredited Track are eligible to earn a verification statement after meeting the guidelines above. Students pursing the BS in Human Nutrition and Foods on the  Nutritional Sciences Track or the Nutrition and Fitness Track do not meet ACEND requirements and are not eligible for a Verification Statement.

UH Academic Calendar

Link to UH Academic Calendar

Progression of Curriculum

View the progression of prerequisite and foundation courses to more advanced courses (pdf)

Courses offered in Human Nutrition and Foods (NUTR)

Check the UH Undergraduate Catalog for an updated list of courses offered in Human Nutrition and Foods (NUTR)

NOTE: Course availability subject to change. It is the student's responsibility for checking class schedules, as not all courses are offered every semester. Prerequisites for courses are to ensure that students have the appropriate academic background to successfully complete that course.

Students who do not have all prerequisites MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

Transfer Credit/Prior Learning Assessment

The DPD Director carefully reviews transcripts for transfer students and post- baccalaureate students to evaluate coursework taken prior to entering the UH DPD program. Students must provide the Academic Advisors with course syllabi for any DPD nutrition course that they would like to have evaluated for equivalency and transfer credit. The Academic Advisors then provide the transcripts and syllabi to the DPD Director to determine course equivalency.

If student knowledge requirements/learning objectives for the course evaluated match a UH DPD course and the student received a C or better in the course, then the student will be granted course credit and will not be required to repeat the course. The UH DPD program does not give course credit for prior work or volunteer experience.

Technology Requirements

Link to technology requirements.