Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University
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    Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University

    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America
    United States of America, University Park
    University Rank:#82
    Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University

    Pennsylvania State University offers the Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Main Site, Any Penn State Campus, and University Park campuses in United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for nutritional sciences and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on June 1, 2027.

    About Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences

    Nutritional Sciences uses nutrition as the backbone to integrate physiological science, behavioral sciences, foods, food systems management, and nutrition as medicine to prepare students to help individuals and communities locally and globally. Students are uniquely prepared to integrate their strong science foundation and nutrition knowledge to help others lead healthier lives. Areas of study include the application of nutrition principles to health promotion and wellness, sports performance, research and intervention science, medical nutrition therapy, and behavioral interventions.

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

    You Might Like This Program If...

    • You want to learn about nutrition and foods' connection to health.
    • You plan to go to medical school, physician assistant school, and other health-related pre-professional programs.
    • You want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
    • You want to work in scientific research related to human health or the food industry.
    • You want to advocate for healthier communities using sustainable food practices and access to nutritious food.
    • You want to learn about interventions to nutrition-related health problems that affect the world's populations.

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

    Nutrition is a dynamic science that incorporates knowledge of human biology and biochemistry to understand how the body utilizes nutrients and related substances for optimal health throughout the lifecycle. Students gain an understanding of how the interplay of nutrition and lifestyle relate to current public health issues as well as the development and nutrition management of chronic and acute diseases. Students learn the scientific rationale and practice methodology to assess the nutritional status of individuals in the clinical setting and for population analysis. They will use these skills to implement medical nutrition therapy or understand nutrition guidelines, standards, and policies to improve the health and well-being of the population.

    Students may select one or more Options: Behavioral Nutrition and Public Health, Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry, and Nutrition and Dietetics. The Nutrition and Dietetics Option is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

    Behavioral Nutrition and Public Health Option

    This option integrates knowledge of social and behavioral sciences with human physiology and nutrition. Students learn to apply knowledge of nutrition to improve the health and well-being of individuals and populations by applying nutrition principles in different practice settings. Graduates of this option can seek employment in public health and policy, business including the food industry, community, and international agencies, schools, or continue to graduate study in nutrition or related fields.

    Nutrition and Dietetics Option

    This option offers multi-disciplinary training in the biological sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and business principles to prepare students to work in a variety of settings and to be eligible to continue their education to acquire the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. It links nutrition and human behavior by applying nutrition principles, counseling skills, and educational skills to improving the nutritional status and health of individuals and communities. Students gain training that will prepare them to work in a variety of clinical, community, and business settings. It also prepares students for management positions in the nutrition field and food systems settings. Graduates satisfy the current requirements for application to accredited post-baccalaureate dietetic supervised practice programs and Master's degree programs. Upon satisfactory completion of these programs, graduates are eligible to take the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

    Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry Option

    This option incorporates knowledge from biology, chemistry, physiology, and physics with nutrition. This option is recommended for students preparing for careers in medicine and other health-related fields such as dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, and chiropractic, as well as graduate school. Also, this option prepares students for careers in laboratory research in the pharmaceutical or food industries, government, or academia.

    • Explain the role of chemical, biochemical, microbiological, and physiological processes and demonstrate how they interrelate with the body's utilization of nutrients and food components during digestion, absorption, metabolism, and excretion.
    • Describe and apply the functions and interrelationships of nutrients and food in human health, disease prevention, and disease states.
    • Describe food and nutrition programs that contribute to the continuum of nutrition services to improve the health of our population: preconception to old age.
    • Apply leadership and management theory within the healthcare and food service management systems.
    • Integrate the biological, behavioral, socioeconomic and environmental factors related to food and nutrient intakes and needs across the lifespan.
    • Interpret and evaluate nutrition standards and analyze nutritional assessment data to make evidence-based decisions.
    • Locate, interpret, and evaluate research findings and professional literature to explain implications, limitations, and applications to practice.
    • Demonstrate effective and professional technical and scientific written communication skills using various media formats.
    • Demonstrate effective and professional technical and scientific oral communication skills using various media formats.

    Disciplines

    Health and Human Development

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University

    Entry Requirements

    Penn State requires the submission of specific academic credentials to complete your application. Review the secondary and post-secondary requirements for your country below.

    If you are a first year student applying to Penn State:

    Click Apply to start your Penn State application. Before starting, you can also review the Applying Online Worksheet for more details and helpful hints about the application.

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the Save and Continue button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). As you begin the SRAR process, a new window will open allowing you to complete your SRAR. SRAR will focus on your high school coursework. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. Therefore, have a copy of your secondary school records available as you complete your SRAR. You will need to enter every class and every grade earned for the last three years, as well as those classes in progress.

    After completing your SRAR, you will be directed back to the Penn State application in order to complete the Program of Study portion of the application. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for first-year students.

    After completing this section of the application, you will provide some additional information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If you are a transfer student applying to Penn State:

    All international transfer students will be required to submit official high school transcripts in order to complete the application. International transfer students will not complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) for either their high school or college coursework.

    If you have accepted your offer of admission to Penn State:

    If you completed SRAR and are accepted to Penn State, please provide the following for grade verification:

    • Official transcript from years 9, 10, 11, and 12. If the transcript is issued in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.
    • Official copy of the Tawjihi, accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences

    The multidisciplinary nature of the Nutritional Sciences degree prepares students in our program for a variety of career options and for graduate study in research and advanced professional training.

    Students who choose the Nutrition and Dietetics option are well prepared for a post-graduate Dietetics supervised practice program that leads to the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. With the RDN, students can pursue careers in clinical dietetics, nutrition counseling, sports nutrition, public-health nutrition and policy, culinary nutrition, the food retail industry, sustainability, and applied research.

    Courses taken in the Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry option provide a strong science foundation for a variety of biomedical and health-related careers. This option is perfect for students interested in furthering their education by applying to medical, dental, physician assistant, chiropractic schools, or to continue their studies in graduate school for Nutritional Sciences. Students may also seek biomedical careers in research, pharmaceutical or other health related industries.

    Students in the Behavioral Nutrition and Public Health (BNPH) option are prepared to work in global programs, public health, health promotion and education. Students in this option can also plan their coursework to meet the requirements needed to apply to health-related pre-professional programs (e.g., occupational therapy, nursing, or physician's assistant) Students may choose to attend graduate school in Nutritional Sciences, Public Health or a wide variety of other graduate programs.

    Armed with an advanced degree in Nutritional Science (NUTR), you will leverage your Penn State education and a vast network of like-minded professionals to find a fulfilling career that incorporates the physiological and biochemical aspects of nutritional practices in the context of health and wellness.

    There is a seemingly endless array of positions in healthcare settings, academia, research, management and/or policymaking in which your skills and knowledge will be put to great use.

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES PROGRAM

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

    Professional Resources

    • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • American Society for Nutrition
    • Society for Nutrition Behavior and Education
    • Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • American Association of Medical Colleges (allopathic)
    • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Physician Assistant Education Association
    • American Dental Education Association
    • American Association of Colleges of Nursing
    • American Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health

    Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University

    Step 1: Choose Your Application Method

    Apply through MyPennState

    The first step of the application process is to create a Penn State account, if you do not have one already. MyPennState is where future students can access the online application.

    If you are new to MyPennState, you will need to establish a Penn State User ID and password, which you will access during the MyPennState profile creation process. Once you have your log in information, you can sign in to begin work on your application.

    When creating the profile, please use the name that is on your passport. Because materials are filed alphabetically under the family name on the application, it is important that all correspondence and records consistently use the same name (family and given) and spelling. If this name does not match your academic records, please notify us of the difference. Please note: In the U.S., the family name is usually referred to as the last name, and the given name is referred to as the first name.

    Additionally, Penn State requires a current, valid email address, as that is our primary means of communication with international students. To ensure deliverability, please make Penn State (psu.edu) an eligible sender to the account.

    Applying through the Common App

    Applying to Penn State via the Common App is available to first-year (freshman) international students. If applying through the Common App, Penn State will create a MyPennState profile when the application is submitted and you will receive instructions on how to access your profile. If you intend to apply with the Common App, you do not need create a MyPennState profile prior to submitting your application.

    Step 2: Access the Application and Review Important Dates

    While you can create a MyPennState profile at any time, the application for admission becomes available on the following dates:

    Fall/Summer Admission: August 1

    Spring Admission: June 1

    The application submission dates vary by applicant type and intended program of study. Some programs have specific deadlines or admissions requirements. Please refer to our Dates & Deadlines for more information about application deadlines, as well as our Admissions Requirements to review information about any additional materials required for your intended program of study.

    Step 3: Start Your Penn State Application

    If applying through MyPennState:

    Click Apply Online to start your Penn State application. 

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the "Save and Continue" button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), unless otherwise directed. You will be directed to enter information about your secondary school coursework. Please have a copy of your secondary school records as you complete SRAR. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. You will need to enter every grade for every course you have taken in the last three years, as well as your current schedule of classes.

    Students educated in South Korea will not complete SRAR. The document requirements for South Korea can be found by reviewing our International Credential Requirements.

    After this section, you will be directed back to the Penn State application to complete the Program of Study portion. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for either first-year students or transfer students.

    After this portion, you will provide some additional application information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If applying through the Common App:

    Complete the Common App, which will then direct you to MyPennState to complete SRAR. Applicants using the Common App may feel that they provided their high school record via the Common App, but Penn State requires the completion of SRAR via MyPennState. We strongly encourage you to obtain an official copy of your high school transcript to ensure accurate entry of your coursework completed and grades earned. The SRAR will include all of your high school coursework from your last three years of work and your current year schedule. If your final year grades are available when you enter SRAR, you can enter them at that time.

    Step 4: Submit Your Application

    The application requires a nonrefundable application fee of $75 for international students. Be sure to complete the last step after Summary and Review, which finalizes payment of your fee, and be certain it is successfully submitted. Once the application is submitted, you can verify its completion by accessing your MyPennState profile.

    Step 5: Submit Required Application Materials

    In order to complete your Penn State application, we need the following materials:

    • Application
    • Secondary school record
    • Post-secondary school records (if applicable)
    • First-year applicants only: Official test scores: SAT (code #2660) or ACT (code #3656)

      Writing Component and Subject Tests

      Please note: The writing component of standardized tests (SAT or ACT) is not required. The writing component will not be used as part of our evaluation. If your test scores include the writing component, by all means, have those scores sent to Penn State. Additionally, we do not require SAT Subject Tests.

    • English language proficiency, if your native language is not English

    Please see the admissions requirements for international students to review the details about the required application materials. Some programs require additional items to complete your application. Please review our Admissions Requirements for those details.

    Penn State does not require letters of recommendation, nor are they used in a student’s evaluation (unless required for a specific program).

    Step 6: Check Your Application Status in MyPennState

    You can always check the status of your application in MyPennState. We will communicate with you via MyPennState and through a series of emails regarding the missing items for your application. When everything has arrived, you will see a status in MyPennState confirming the completion of your application.

    Please note: It is your responsibility to check on the status of your application and send us any missing materials.

    Step 7: Receive Your Admission Decision

    Once we have reached a decision regarding your application, we will update your status in MyPennState and provide a printable PDF of your decision letter. Review our Dates & Deadlines to see when you should expect your decision.

    If accepted, you can accept your offer of admission in MyPennState to begin the process of becoming a Penn State student. Visit our Accepted Students section to review the next steps in this process. Once you accept your offer of admission to Penn State, those students completing SRAR will submit their official records for validation purposes as soon as possible.

    Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, University Park

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