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School of Agriculture and Food Systems

Human Nutrition and Foods, BS

Nutrition is essential for good health and quality of life for everyone of all ages, races and athletic abilities (or lack thereof). While there are professions that focus on helping some, nutrition is an area that can help all.

This pre-professional program will prepare you to become a registered dietitian, nutritionist, food scientist or health educator, and can help meet pre-requisite requirements for professional schools in other areas, such as medical or physician assistant school.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Prepare to become a registered dietitian or attend professional programs, such as medical, nursing or physician assistant school, or get an advanced degree in public health, psychology or social work.

The Human Nutrition and Foods Program focuses on dietetics, but it also serves as a launching pad for students interested in graduate work or professional school for health-related fields, as well as research and community roles.

The curriculum provides a strong foundation in:

  • Basic sciences
  • Food and nutritional sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Medical nutrition therapy
  • Disease management

Students who wish to pursue a registered dietitian nutritionist pathway should declare the during their sophomore year.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • HN&F 171:
    Introduction to Human Nutrition

    Study nutrient structure, metabolism, integrated function and their importance to human well-being during all stages of the life cycle. Learn about current concerns in meeting nutrient needs and those of special interest to college students.

  • HN&F 348:
    Science of Food Preparation

    Explore functional properties of ingredients and applied scientific theories of food preparation.

  • HN&F 364:
    Nutrition Education and Counseling

    Understand roles, responsibilities and limitations of the professional health/nutrition educator in nutrition counseling, guidance and referral, nutrition needs assessment, nutrition counseling interactions and selected counseling techniques.

  • HN&F 474:
    Medical Nutrition Therapy 2

    Learn about various nutritional care aspects of patients and how to implement modification of diet to meet human nutrition needs in various medical conditions.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Dietetics

    Ideal for students interested in a career as a registered dietitian. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required to be eligible for this emphasis area and to receive a Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first- and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Real-world sports nutrition experiences available through partnership with WVU Athletics.
  • 100% placement rate for graduate dietetic internship programs.
  • Volunteer and internship experiences available with local organizations and businesses.
  • Work with researchers to gain experience in the lab and with people in the community seeking nutrition services.
  • Research, Education and Outreach Center includes service dog training facility and state-of-the-art poultry feed mill.
  • Morgantown facilities include the 190-acre Research, Education and Outreach Center, 175-acre Research, Education and Outreach Center, and the 408-acre Research, Education and Outreach Center.
  • Find your passion in food safety, nutrition counseling, sports nutrition and more.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from one-on-one faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • Conduct undergraduate research focused on the prevention of chronic diseases in the Lifestyle Intervention Lab.
  • Conduct undergraduate research focused on the prevention of foodborne illnesses in collaboration with the WVU Extension Small Farm Center.
  • Work with Human Nutrition and Foods professors as an undergraduate teaching assistant.

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills. Projects in WVU's Human Nutrition and Foods major have included:

  • Which is healthier: Vegetarian or animal-based diets.
  • .

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Dietetic Technicians

Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

Median Salary: $36,520

Possible job titles include: Cook Chill Technician (CCT), Diet Assistant, Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician), Dietary Aide.

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Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $110,680

Possible job titles include: Health Information Management Director, Health Information Management Corporate Director, Nurse Manager, Office Manager.

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Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,090

Possible job titles include: Food Scientist, Food Technologist, Professor, Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager).

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Community Health Workers

Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $48,200

Possible job titles include: Community Health Outreach Worker, Community Health Program Coordinator, Community Health Promoter, Community Nutrition Educator.

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Dietitians and Nutritionists

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $69,680

Possible job titles include: Clinical Dietitian, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian.

Explore Career

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Human Nutrition and Foods major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's . Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Human Nutrition and Foods at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Human Nutrition and Foods major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Human Nutrition and Foods can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Want to know more about Human Nutrition and Foods at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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