The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nutritional Science program at Cal State LA provides students with the knowledge and skills to apply for a supervised practice program (dietetic internship).  Students will be provided a verification statement upon successful completion of all the courses. The curriculum also provides the foundation for students to continue their education at the graduate level in nutrition or related fields.

The total number of units required for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nutritional Science Program is 35.

Admission to the Program

Applicants must meet the university requirements for admission, which include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. To be admitted into the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nutritional Science Program at Cal State, applicants must also meet or provide the following:

1.  Apply to the University to be eligible for admission

2. Two letters of recommendation, with one from an academic source.

3. Letter of professional and research goals. Specific directions will be available in the supplemental application.

4. Completion of prerequisites or ability to demonstrate completion prior to beginning the program.

5. A current resume with work and related volunteer experience.

Roadmap      Learning Outcomes 

Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification   

Prerequisites to the Program (28 units)

Non-Nutrition undergraduate majors who desire to become registered dietitians must complete these courses prior to beginning program.

• BIOL 2030 - Human Anatomy [4]
• BIOL 2040 - Human Physiology [4]
• CHEM 1010 - Fundamentals of Chemistry [4]
• CHEM 1020 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry [4]
• MATH 1090 - Quantitative Reasoning with Statistics, with Lab [4]
• MICR 1010 - Introduction to Microbiology [3]

• and one of the following courses:

• ANTH 1500 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology [3]
• PSY 1500 - Introductory Psychology [3]
• SOC 2010 - Introduction to Sociology [3]

Required Courses for the Certificate (35 units)

• NTRS 3100 - Scientific Aspects of Food Preparation [3]
• NTRS 3130 - Introduction to Nutrition and Dietetics [1]
• NTRS 3150 - Communication Skills in Dietetics [3]
• NTRS 3170 - Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism [3]
• NTRS 4120 - Nutrition Through the Lifespan [3]
• NTRS 4140 - Institutional Food Service [3]
• NTRS 4150 - Medical Nutrition Therapy [3]
• NTRS 4155 - Medical Nutrition Therapy II [3]
• NTRS 4170 - Advanced Nutrition I [3]
• NTRS 4175 - Advanced Nutrition II [3]
• NTRS 4176 - Nutritional Assessment Laboratory [1]
• NTRS 4180 - Community Nutrition [3]
• NTRS 4340 - Foodservice Management [3]