Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics
This ACEND-accredited Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics program can help turn a passion for food, health, science, and supporting others into a meaningful career. Designed for students pursuing the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) pathway, the program builds a strong foundation in nutrition science and emphasizes hands-on learning through case-based practicum and clinical skills training. Students graduate prepared for the next step in the Registered Dietician (RD) process, with the academic background and professional preparation to pursue supervised practice, graduate study, and careers across industries. The program’s internship match rates remain well above the national average.
Nutrition for Real-World Impact
Explore how Texas Tech’s Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics program builds patient care skills and prepares future Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Degree & Course Details
Cutting-Edge Research
Students access cutting-edge research at the Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI), a global leader in obesity studies focusing on the complex chemistry of healthy nutrition.
Internship and Career Readiness
Internship placement rates consistently exceed the national average, with students matching to programs across Texas and throughout the country each year.
Experiential Training
Students gain practical training via hands-on community interaction, client counseling, and practicum experiences, ensuring real-world readiness for diverse professional health and wellness settings.
Key Courses
View Degree Courses in Catalog
NS 2310 - The Science of Food
Fundamental chemical and physical scientific principles associated with foods. Basic principles underlying selection, preparation, and preservation of food in relation to quality standards and acceptability.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): Nutrition, nutritional sciences and dietetics majors, minors, and concentrations only.
NS 4311 - Dietetic Counseling Strategies
Application of interviewing, counseling, and educational techniques in dietetics, including individual and group methods.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): NSCD majors only, C or better in NS 3310.
NS 4340 - Medical Nutritional Therapy I
Covers nutritional assessment, oral, enteral, and parenteral nutritional support, pathophysiology, medical management, and nutritional therapy as they relate to various disease states. Second of three sequenced MNT courses.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): C or better in NS 3310 or instructor consent. Prerequisite or corequisite: NS 4220.
NS 4350 - Nutrition: Fact or Fiction?
Interactive, evidence-based evaluation of trending topics in nutrition.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): C or better in NS 1410.
Alumni Impact
Our Nutritional Sciences and & Dietetics graduates make an impact in health and wellness as registered dietitians and beyond.
Career Paths & Salary Ranges
Our graduates transform health outcomes across clinical, community, and corporate settings.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Incoming students are considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission. Admitted students can find additional internal and external scholarship opportunities through Scholarship Universe.
All ScholarshipsDean's Scholar Program
Guaranteed scholarships for high-achieving students who declare a major in the College of Health & Human Sciences across all four years.
View Scholar Program detailsAcademic Support Team
Meet a few of the individuals you'll learn from. Explore their expertise and research interests and visit their profiles to connect.
Faculty Directory Explore Research Labs
Dolores Salas-Marmolejo
Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics
Raul Palacios, MS, RDN, LD
Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics
Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics
Kayli Leatherwood, MS, RDN, LD
Assistant Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics
Nutritional Sciences
Program Overview
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Nutrition Sciences Program Overview
Student Organizations & Experiences
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Student Nutrition Organization (SNO)
SNO connects health science students through service, networking, and hands-on experiences across nutrition. Ideal for dietetics majors preparing for registered dietitian careers, the organization also welcomes pre-professional students interested in integrating nutrition into future practice.
Student Nutrition Organization (SNO) -
Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI)
NMHI is a campus-based clinical nutrition and weight management program that serves the Lubbock community. Students gain hands-on experience in medical weight loss, advanced metabolic assessment, and evidence-based nutritional counseling alongside practicing clinicians. The initiative also conducts research in clinical nutrition, obesity, and community health, giving students the opportunity to contribute to real scientific studies.
Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI) -
Health & Human Sciences Ambassadors
Health & Human Sciences Ambassadors is a student recruitment organization that helps prospective students and families learn more about the college. Ambassadors serve as student representatives at Texas Tech functions on campus and off campus.
Health & Human Sciences Ambassadors -
Phi Upsilon Omicron
Phi Upsilon Omicron is an honor society for exceptional scholars in the College of Health & Human Sciences at Texas Tech. Focused on academic excellence and leadership through service, the honor society invites students with 40+ credit hours and a 3.25 GPA to join each Fall and Spring semester.
Phi Upsilon Omicron
Related Programs
Nutrition
A broad, nutrition-focused program with pre-professional health and secondary teacher certification concentrations for students planning careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, or health education.
Learn More About NutritionNutrition Minor
Open to students in any major, the minor builds foundational knowledge in nutrition science and includes an optional medical nutrition therapy course for pre-health students.
Learn about Nutrition MinorHuman Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences provides students opportunity to customize degree by exploring three areas within the College of Health & Human Sciences.
Learn about Human SciencesHuman Sciences, B.S. / Nutritional Sciences, M.S.
This program is for students earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences with minors in Nutrition and Chemistry, aiming for a graduate degree in Nutritional Sciences.
Learn about Accelerated ProgramHuman Sciences, B.S.: FCSE Specialized Teaching Certification in HNFS (Nutrition), Grades 8-12
This certification offers a career path for Human Sciences majors interested in teaching nutrition at the eighth grade and high school levels.
Learn about Human Sciences Teaching CertificationDual Degree in Human Sciences, B.S. and Nursing, BSN
Complete the first two years at Texas Tech University, then finish at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's School of Nursing to earn dual degrees: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Learn about Human Sciences/Nursing Dual DegreeReady to Take the Next Step?
Reach out to our team to learn more about the incredible opportunities at Texas Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ACEND accreditation mean for Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics students?
ACEND accreditation recognizes Texas Tech's Didactic Program in Dietetics and is required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered.
What careers can graduates pursue?
Graduates work as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) across health care, community health, sports nutrition, wellness, food service, and research — among many other fields.
What are the acceptance criteria for the Didactic Program in the dietetics program?
Students need a 2.8 overall GPA and at least 60 completed credit hours before beginning upper-level Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework.
What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a nutritionist?
Dietitians are trained, credentialed professionals qualified for clinical and medical nutrition care; nutritionist is a broad, unregulated term. Nutritionists cannot practice medical nutrition therapy.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)?
Yes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a master’s degree to sit for the RDN credentialing exam. The accelerated Bachelor of Science to Master of Science helps students meet this requirement efficiently.
How fast is the job market growing for dietitians?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth for dietitians and nutritionists (2024-2034), reflecting strong and rising demand nationwide.
Programs
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Address
Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2011 -
Email
webmaster@ttu.edu