Director's Message

Welcome to the Nutritional Sciences Program at Morgan State University. The field of Nutrition and Dietetics is growing rapidly with the influx of new food products being manufactured daily. The mission is aligned with the University and the School of Community Health & Policy to prepare highly qualified students from diverse backgrounds with knowledge and skills for success in supervised practice programs, Graduate School or leadership in dietetic practice. Current statistics show that only 2.9% of registered dietitians are blacks who graduate in the profession of dietetics or nutrition. 

As with areas and career fields in health care, Blacks and  Hispanics continue to be disproportionately represented in the field of Nutrition& Dietetics. However, a large percentage of Blacks and other minorities continue to be at high nutritional risk for certain chronic and lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. It is our goal to increase awareness of the critical role of registered dietitians and nutritionists and their numbers as professional members of the healthcare team, working to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing in our various communities by providing sound nutritional education and practice; provide information about education, training and career opportunities available to individuals interested in pursuing careers in the field of dietetics and nutrition; and to highlight the key areas of need and opportunity in dietetic internship practice in regional HBCUs.

Americans of all cultural and ethnic groups have incorporated more fast foods and poor dietary practices into their eating habits along with sedentary lifestyles that result in increased risk for developing various chronic and lifestyle diseases as well as increased morbidity, mortality and premature death. The need for sound nutrition and dietary education and information in the world is critical. Morgan State University is standing in the forefront and seeks to collaborate and partner with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accrediting Council on Nutrition and Dietetics, accrediting organization and with other HBCUs shareholders to build bridges that strengthen the education, and training and find ways to increase the number of competent registered dietitians in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics so that they can tell the story that healthy eating, sound nutritional and dietary practice is available to all, regardless of their culture and position in life.

Joycelyn Peterson, DrPH, MPH, RDN
Director, Nutritional Sciences Program
Morgan State University
443-885-4145