Department of Nutritional Sciences

The Nutritional Sciences Program, formerly the Food and Nutrition Program is located in the School of Community Health and Policy. The Nutritional Sciences Program is designed for students interested in the field of Dietetics and Food Service Systems. The Program embraces a commitment to enhancing students’ personal and pre-professional development by providing high quality education and experiential learning opportunities. Students gain the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges and demands for products and services: to conduct evidence-based research and to implement programs to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, communities and nations of the world.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Completion of the program meets the minimum academic requirements for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited dietetic internship.

The curriculum includes courses in organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, general biology and microbiology, anatomy and physiology, basic and advanced courses in nutrition and foods, and institutional management. The mission of the Dietetics Program at Morgan State University is to prepare highly qualified students from culturally diverse backgrounds with knowledge and skills for success in supervised practice programs, Graduate School, or leadership in dietetic practice. The mission embraces the diversity of its student clientele, prepares highly qualified graduates to serve and address priority issues of the local and broader community.

Mission, Goals and Objectives:

Mission

The mission of the program is to prepare highly qualified students from diverse backgrounds with knowledge and skills for success in supervised practice programs, graduate school, or leadership in dietetic practice.

Goals

Program will enroll, retain and graduate a culturally diverse pool of students to meet the critical shortages and under-representation in the profession.
Program will prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objectives

At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 2 years (150% of the program length).
50 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation
50 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation
The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
When surveyed Supervised Practice Program Directors will rate graduate’s performance as at least satisfactory on 80% of survey items
At least 50% of graduates will indicate program prepared them for admittance into a supervised practice program
Under-represented/minority groups will comprise at least 50% of students enrolled

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Nutritional Sciences, B.S.