Interested in how diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors play a role in improving health and preventing disease? The Human Nutrition program prepares students for further advanced study in health-related fields.
With a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, you will be prepared for a number of career possibilities as well as advanced academic study in dentistry, medicine, nutrition research, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistance studies, physical therapy and public health. You will study the biological and physical sciences and learn how to apply them to the interactions between nutrition and human health.
In addition to professional development and research opportunities, our students are leaders in a number of service groups and projects - including the UK Farm to Fork program. This effort is led by UK's Campus Kitchen. The goal is to bring awareness to issues surrounding hunger, albeit in a different way. The focus of the kitchen is on helping people on and off campus in the greater Lexington community while also trying to keep food from going to waste.
"Farm-to-Fork is a grant-funded meal program that provides not only free locally sourced lunches using recovered foods and produce, but also education and a sense of community to any UK students. To offer a multidimensional, interdisciplinary approach to college food insecurity, Farm-to-Fork integrates social, sustainable, local and educational elements through healthy lunchtime meals served to approximately 100 students weekly."
-Kendra Oo, UK Nutrition & Food Systems graduate student
Our professors do more than teach. Many of them are very active in Kentucky communities which provides meaningful, real-life learning opportunities for Human Nutrition students.
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
As Albert Einstein wrote, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” I strive to do this on a daily basis with each of my students.
Director of Undergraduate Studies & Recipient of the 2016 UK Alumni Great Teacher Award
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Unlike other programs, our students are paired with a faculty advisor while also having the support of the Human Nutrition academic coordinator. These multiple lines of support help you maximize your college career with expert advice and personal guidance.
In our most recent advising survey, 86% of Human Nutrition students said they were extremely satisfied with their advisor, the highest rating possible. In the same survey, when asked what they like about their advisor, one student responded with:
"Everything really. I could not ask for a better advisor. I guess if I had to pinpoint one thing that she is exceptional at, it would be letting us know she cares. She spends a lot of time with me during my meetings and really helps me work out all the kinks. She even met with me outside of an appointment because I was having a scheduling emergency and needed immediate help.
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we have awarded more than $3 million over the past four years. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the application opens on September 30, and the deadline will be Monday, January 22, 2022.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens January 3, and the deadline will be Monday, March 22, 2022.
Named after UK's first female graduate, Belle C. Gunn, this first-year program is open to all University of Kentucky freshmen. We seek students who, like Gunn, have passion and determination. Through field trips, professional development workshops, and service programs, we apply student passions to global issues at the intersection of food, economics, and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups, and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
While all students will enjoy the same benefits, some events and projects will be geared toward students' preferences and career goals. Depending on interests, each student will join one of the following tracks:
All students participating in our living learning program will live in Woodland Glen IV, one of UK's newest residence halls. To apply, select the "Belle C. Gunn First Year Program" while completing the housing application. For more information, visit our college website.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your Human Nutrition degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our students are involved in:
Student Dietetic and Nutrition Association
engages in nutrition-related service and learning opportunities with experts in food, nutrition and health professions
The Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky
provides a sustainable solution to reducing food waste while serving healthy meals to those struggling with hunger
Universities Fighting World Hunger at the University of Kentucky
supports on-campus, hunger-related initiatives and organizations by facilitating communication and providing resources to develop and implement strategies to end hunger
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$164,010
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
151,600
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
4,000
new jobs (average)
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Number of Jobs
752,400
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
27,300
new jobs (average)
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$91,010
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
258,200
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
47,000
new jobs (average)
Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. Community health workers collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$46,080
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
123,800
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
14,100
new jobs (average)
Dietitians and nutritionists advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$63,090
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
74,200
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
5,900
new jobs (average)
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469
