Whether you started your education at a two-year technical school or another four-year institution, we can help make your transition run smoothly.

Help us to help you by thinking through a few questions during this (possibly overwhelming) time.

Do I want to become a Registered Dietitian (RD), or is my goal to use nutrition in an educational setting?

If you don’t quite know what goes into becoming a Registered Dietitian, it’s a good idea to read our overview of how to become a Registered Dietitian. It will give you an idea of what you would be committing to (hint: it is not just an undergraduate degree). If you’re not quite sure the RD is for you, but you love the field of nutrition, we’ve got you! Check out our overview of career opportunities in the field of nutrition (PDF - 180KB).

If you already have one undergraduate degree but want to transition into a career in nutrition, you will want to be sure to request a DPD evaluation prior to connecting with us.

Your goals are entirely up to you, but our ability to advise you correctly will depend on you doing your research before meeting with us. Once you are ready to discuss your options, you can schedule an office hours appointment with Dr. Hope Lima.

Do I want to pursue a graduate degree after I complete my four-year degree?

Whether or not you decide to pursue a graduate degree, the Winthrop Department of Human Nutrition can support your career goals.

  • We offer an MS in Human Nutrition in our department. This is one of many graduate degree programs offered at Winthrop.
  • Our experienced faculty have a wide variety of connections in academia if you are looking for an MS program not available at Winthrop or to pursue a PhD or DCN.

Does my future career or target graduate program require that I have research experience?

The faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition do a wide variety of research. From bench science to clinical trials, you can have a meaningful research experience that gives you a leg up on other applicants. While some of our students only desire to learn the basics, we have many undergraduate students who design and implement their own research project under the direction of our faculty. Our faculty have interest in:

  • Gut health
  • Sports nutrition
  • Breastfeeding
  • Pediatric nutrition
  • Eating disorders
  • Food insecurity