Interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian?
USC has a new MS/PND Program that is ACEND-accredited and emphasizes performance nutrition. For more information, click the link below:
Degrees, Certificates, and Concentrations
The USC Master of Science in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics Program provides students with the didactic and supervised experience needed to become a competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist. The program curriculum emphasizes performance nutrition while spanning the breadth of the community, clinical, and service aspects of the dietetics profession. Students will learn knowledge and skills that can be applied to improve the health and performance of individuals, groups, and populations. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam for registered dietitian nutritionists.
This minor is designed to help mitigate the shortage of trained professionals by building students' competenceies in the areas of food system transformation, environmental sustainability, nutritional health improvement and social justice.
This certificate prepares students with the knowledge and skills that are necessary to conduct international work on a variety of different topics, such as food and nutrition.
Several different programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees allow/require cognates, or a grouping of related courses, such as nutrition. For more information contact your advisor.
Nutrition and Related Courses
Fall 2025 Nutrition Course Offerings
| HPEB 488: Food Systems |
| HPEB 502: Applied Aspects of Human Nutrition |
| HPEB 620: Nutrition Through the Life Cycle |
| EXSC 507: Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition |
| EPID 763: Nutritional Epidemiology |
| ATEP 730: Behavioral Health and Wellness |
| ANTH 212: Food and Culture |
| BIOL 425: Plant Form and Function |
| HTMT 340: Nutrition |
| HTMT 390: Creating Community Food Security |
| GEOG 538/ENVR 538: Global Food Politics |
| SCHC 481: The Power of Food: Cooking’s Influence on Diet, Inflammation and Health |
*Some courses may have prerequisites or restrictions.
View our full list of semester courses here.
Nutrition and Dietetics Advising Reference Sheet
The Nutrition Consortium has developed an advising reference sheet to provide advisors and faculty with helpful information and guidance for advising undergraduate students at USC who are interested in becoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). The document outlines requirements for becoming an RDN, dietetic program pathways, and prerequisites for admission to two (UNC and UGA) dietetics programs, with information pending for USC's future program. For more information, check out the reference sheet below.
Nutrition and Dietetics Programs Advising Reference Sheet
Completed Dissertations & Theses
- Aghaei, A.(2024). Impacts of COVID-19 and Taliban Takeover on U.S. Afghan Refugee Women’s Mental Health: A Socio-Ecological Approach to Resilience Resources.
- Bethel, S.(2024). A Formative Process Evaluation of Social Care Programming in a Health Care System Serving a Predominantly Rural State.
- Brown, A.(2024). Understanding Stressors, Coping Strategies, and Physical Activity Among African American Women Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
- Chandler, A. J.(2024). Collegiate Student-Athlete Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Lowder, M. A.(2024). Businesses or Beneficiaries: the Submerged Consequences of Workfare Policy Design.
- Uriegas, N. A.(2024). Nutrition and Mental Health Related Factors Across Historically Black College and University Students.
- Zosel, K. L.(2024). Social Networks as Predictors of Musculoskeletal Injury In U.S. Army Soldiers (SNAP-MSKI).
- Ball, S. K.(2023). The Effect of Social Media (Instagram) Use Patterns on The Cultural and Athletic Identity of Black Female Collegiate Athletes’ Body Image Dissatisfaction.
- Barnette, L. M.(2023). Producer Interviews and Analysis as a Tool for Science Communication and Research Implementation in Agriculture.
- Bradshaw, T. W.(2023). The Role of Insulin Signaling in Controlling Oogenesis In Drosophila Melanogaster.
- Brown, A. D.(2023). Examining Associations Between Social Needs and Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes.
- Davis, K. L.(2023). Exploration of the Association Between Obesogenic Environments and Childhood Overweight/Obesity Rates In Rural Counties in the United States.
- Day, K. R.(2023). Leveraging Church Environments to Promote Rural Physical Activity and Healthy Eating.
- Dugger, R. (2023). The Role of Environmental Context in Supporting Children’s 24- Hour Movement Behaviors; a Positive Deviance Perspective.
- Ek, L. C.(2023). Replenishment of Essential Natural Resources: An Assessment of the Ability of Freshwater Algae to Enhance Crop Quality and Soil Health.
- Glascoe, G. R.(2023). A Causal Comparative Study of the Effects of Physical Activity Course Enrollment on College Students’ Perceived Wellness, Mental Health, and Basic Psychological Needs.
- Kipp, C. J. (2023). Feasibility of a Parent-Focused, Stress Management Intervention to Decrease Adolescent BMI, Reduce Stress, and Increase Well-Being Among African American Families.
- Loncar, H. M. (2023). Effects of Parenting and Self-Efficacy on Diet, Family Mealtime and Weight-Related Outcomes in African American Adolescents.
- Luke, P. L.(2023). From the City to the Countryside – Gentrification Across the US: Conceptualizing Displacement Pressure, Constructing Novel Measurement Methodology, and Exploring Connections to Health.
- Martini, L. H. (2023). Food Insecurity in Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes: Prevalence and Association With Health Behaviors.
- Maxwell, N. D.(2023). Leptin, Serotonin, and the Control of Food Intake.
- Okpara, N. B.(2023). Babe (Body Appreciation and Better Eating), Just Add a Dash of Self-Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study for Black/African American Teenage Girls.
- Smith, S. B.(2023). Unlocking Population-Specific Treatments to Render Equitable Approaches and Management in Cardiovascular Disease (UPSTREAM CVD): African American Emerging Adults.
- Swanson, J. A.(2023). The Effects of Variations in Light and Nutrient Availability on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton.
- Unger, C. A.(2023). Impact of Steroid Receptor and Hormone Manipulation in Skeletal Muscle: Implications for Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity in Male Mice.
- Zhao, L.(2023). Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Risk of Liver Cancer.
- Ball, R. A.(2023). Gluten Free Diet Ameliorates SI Enteropathy in IGA Deficient Mice.
- Eade, J.M. (2023). Effects of caffeine on measures of clinical outcome and recovery following mild traumatic brain injury in adolescents.
- Tamanna, N.(2023). Dietary Inflammatory Index During Pregnancy and Changes Over Time: Associations With Post-partum Sleep Duration and Quality and Depressive Symptoms
- Vincenty, C. S. (2023). Impact of a Novel Marine Algae Supplement on Inflammatory and Immune Response After High-Intensity Exercise.
- Agrelius, T. C.(2022). Methyltransferase Mystery: Epigenetic Mechanisms Induced by Food Limitation in Daphnia Pule.
- Alhabas, M. S.(2022). Food Insecurity Resilience of Refugee Families in the United States: A Qualitative Study.
- Alzahrani, A. (2022). Association of Prior Periodontal Disease with Cancer – Exploring Epidemiologic Evidence of Periodontal Exudate-Exposed Site Cancer Risk Versus Remote Gastrointestinal Sites.
- Bhandari, S.(2022). Homestead Vegetable and Poultry Production and Related Practices: An Assessment in Nepal.
- Bucko, A.(2022). Relationships Among Sleep, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents.
- Cintineo, H. P.(2022). Sports Nutrition- and Strength and Conditioning-based Interventions to Bolster Health and Human Performance in Male and Female Tactical Personnel.
- DuBois, K. E.(2022). Living With Ulcerative Colitis: Exploring Dietary Inflammatory Intake, Physical Activity, and Methods to Manage the Burden of Illness.
- Fair, M. L.(2022). Exploration of the Role of Neighborhood Residential Segregation by Race and Ethnicity in Obesity Risk Among School-Aged.
- Kase, B. E. (2022). Novel Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota and Associations With Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer Risk.
- Korotki, K. (2022). Assessment of the Quality of Emergency Obstetric Care in Public Hospitals in Bangladesh: Evidence from the National Health Facility Assessment Survey.
- Mandelbaum, J.B. (2022). Nutrition facts label use among U.S. adolescents.
- Martin, K. E. (2022). Helping High School Students Succeed Academically by Meeting Their More Basic Needs.
- Stowe, E. W. (2022). Greenspace Across the United States: Exploring Equity and Associations with Physical Activity, Obesity, and Health-Related Quality of Life.
- Bercaw, H.(2022). Longitudinal Relation of Dietary Quality and Hemoglobin A1C in Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes.
- Byland, S.(2022). Self Reported Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women Veterans.
- Isanovic, S.(2022). Perspectives About Food Safety in Diverse Low- And Middle-Income Countries.
- Quattlebaum, M.(2022). Moderating Effects of Parental Feeding Practices and Emotional Eating on Dietary Intake Among Overweight African American Adolescents.
- Tyson, N.(2022). Association Between Postpartum Weight Retention and the Dietary Inflammatory Index.
- Vincenty, C. S.(2022). Impact of a Novel Marine Algae Supplement on Inflammatory and Immune Response After High-Intensity Exercise.
- Aladhami, A.(2021). Role of Estrogen in Regulating Diet-Induced Obesity in Females.
- Alvarado, C. R.(2021). The Inflammatory Potential of Diet and its Relationship with Metabolic, Mental, and Cardiovascular Health among Childhood Cancer Survivors: The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE).
- Hoy, K. I.(2021). A Contextual Evaluation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in South Carolina and Related Child Health Behaviors.
- Kyryliuk, R.(2021). Strengthening the Evidence-Base of Youth Nutrition Programs: A Three Part Approach.
- Martin, K. E.(2021). Helping High School Students Succeed Academically by Meeting Their More Basic Needs.
- Mohammed, A. D.(2021). Defining the Pathophysiology of Gut Humoral Immunodeficiency.
- Momodu, O. A.(2021). Evaluating the Health Impact of CenteringPregnancy Program Versus Traditional Prenatal Care in Midland Obstetric Clinics and Validating Selected Item On Birth Certificate.
- Rampalli, K. K.(2021). Food Choice Decision-Making Among School-Going Adolescents Amidst the Nutrition Transition in Urban Accra, Ghana.
- Reid, L. A.(2021). Household Food Security, Lifestyle Factors, and Glycemic Control Among Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes.
- Smith, A.(2021). Examination of Energy Needs and Female Athlete Triad Components in Competitive Cheerleaders.
- Wilson, M. J.(2021). A Cost Effectiveness Analysis Of The Nutritious Eating With Soul Study.
- Bevel, M. S.(2020). The Impact of Psychosocial, Clinical, and Neighborhood Factors on Inflammatory Outcomes Among African American Women.
- Browder, J. K.(2020). A Narrative Inquiry Into the Lived Experiences of Early Childhood Teachers Who Implemented Garden-Based Learning.
- Chinaeke, E. E.(2020). Treatment With Protease Inhibitor and Development of Diabetes Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
- Cofie, A.(2020). Correlates of Maternal Health Service Use and Women’s Experiences Using Antenatal Care in Ghana: A Mixed-Methods Study.
- Constantinides, S. V.(2020). Determinants of Nutrition Agenda Setting in the Context of the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Feng, Z. (2020). Digesting gender: Gendered foodways in modern Chinese literature, 1890s–1940s.
- Horton Dias, C. E. (2020). An evaluation of the healthfulness of the hospital food environment.
- Iruhiriye, E.(2020). Understanding the Role of Political Commitment and Coherence Across Sectors and Across National and Sub-National Levels in Enabling Improvements in Nutrition in Rwanda.
- Jesmin, R.(2020). Mechanistic Insight on Vibrio Gazogenes Mediated Intervention of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis in Aspergillus Flavus.
- Joy, B. K.(2020). Freedom and Food: Transformations and Continuities in Foodways Among the People Who Labored at Stono Plantation, James Island, South Carolina During the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Centuries.
- Larsen, C.(2020). Piloting a Smartphone-Based Sedentary Behavior Reduction Intervention for Adults With Overweight or Obesity: Take a STAND 4 Health.
- McMullen, T. P.(2020). Does Marriage, Employment and Having Children Matter? A Secondary Analysis on Physical Activity Levels, Leisure Time Physical Activity, and Social Roles Among Women in the United States.
- Monalisa, N. N.(2020). Influences on Parents’ Food Shopping for Children’s Consumption in South Carolina.
- Murphy, K.(2020). The Development of Polymer Constructs for Adipose Tissue Engineering Applications.
- Omebeyinje, M. H.(2020). Understanding the Influence of Changing Climate on Mycotoxin Contamination of Food and Indoor Fungi-Mediated Respiratory Illness.
- Reyes, L. I.(2020). Social Networks, the Local Food Environment, and Maternal Food Choice for Children Ages 1 to 5 Years Old in Rural Mexico.
- Sevoyan, M. (2020). Optimal pregnancy outcomes and subsequent postnatal development.
- Trivedi, T.(2020). Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis and Its Association With Inflammation and Meditarrenean Diet.
- Whitt, O.(2020). Examining the Organizational Capacity of Public Libraries That Offer Obesity Prevention Programs.
- Zhang, Q. (2020). Early-onset colorectal cancer in mice.
- Zhang, Z.(2020). The Effects of Organic Products on Conventional Products and Retailer Assortment Planning.
- Crawford, B.(2020). Circulating Calcium, Phosphorus, and Parathyroid Hormone and Aggressive Prostate Cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project.
- Davis-Martin, H.(2020). The Interaction Between Caffeine Consumption, Alcohol Use, and Amount of Sleep on Bone Health.
- Kipp, C.(2020). The Moderating Effects of Parenting Factors and Perceived Stress on African American Adolescent Weight Related Outcomes.
- Knoll, M.(2020). Association Between Urinary Enterolignans as a Marker for Gut Microbiome Diversity and Depression in NHANES.
- Meyerink, M. E.(2020). Identifying and Characterizing Transgenic Lines That Drive Gene Expression in the Adult Fat Body of the Drosophila Melanogaster.
- Albadrani, M.(2019). Microcystin Exposure and Liver Injury Outcomes in NAFLD.
- Alrafas, H.(2019). Beneficial Effects of Resveratrol Against Colitis and Colorectal Cancer Mediated by the Host Microbiome, Epigenome, and Immune Response.
- Bader, J.(2019). Macrophages and Associated Inflammation Differentially Impact Obesity, Colorectal Cancer and Obesity-Enhanced Colorectal Cancer.
- Basnet, S.(2019). Role of Resources for Care in Improving Care Behaviors, Children’s Nutritional Status and Early Childhood Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
- Botchway, M. O.(2019). Social Networks, Social Support, and Contextual Factors That Affect Blood Glucose Control Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Urban Ghana.
- Boutté, A. K.(2019). Examining the Relationships Between Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and the Neighborhood Food Environment on Diet Quality Among Racially-Diverse Pregnant Women in South Carolina.
- Choi, R. H.(2019). Effect of TRB3 on Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation and Exercise-Induced Adaptation.
- Crimarco, A.(2019). The Plant-Based and Soul-Full Study (PASS): Examining How Owners of Local Vegan Soul Food Restaurants Promote the Consumption of Vegan Foods in the African American Community.
- Hendley, M. A.(2019). Adipose Tissue Engineering: A Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Obesity and Glucose Intolerance.
- Josey, M. J.(2019). Disparities in Colorectal Cancer: Measuring Spatial Accessibility, Screening, and Surveillance Outcomes in South Carolina.
- Lauffer, B.(2019). Education for Sustainability: The Effectiveness of a Place Based Environmental Education Unit in Food Waste Reduction on the Environmental Awareness of Fourth Grade Students.
- Miranda, K.(2019). Role of Epigenome and Microbiome in Endocannabinoid-Mediated Regulation of Inflammation During Diet-Induced Obesity.
- Nguyen, H.(2019). Parenting and Child Self-Regulation as Mechanisms for the Relationship of Household Food Insecurity with Child Dietary Behavior.
- Omofuma, O. O.(2019). Dietary Advanced Glycation End-Products (Ages) and Breast Cancer Risk and Survival.
- Patel, C.(2019). Co-Occurrence and Non-Overlap Among Behavioral and Health-Related Problems in Preschool Children.
- Pourhoseini, S.(2019). The Health Implication and Application of Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.
- Sutherland, M. W.(2019). Longitudinal Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Predictors and Health Outcomes.
- Carson, M. S.(2019). The Contribution of Adipose Tissue from Ovariectomized Mice to Colon Cancer.
- Davis, R.(2019). Potassium Fertilization Effects on Yield for Wheat, Soybean, and Corn Grown in Coastal Plain Soils.
- Loncar, H.(2019). Associations Among Parenting Style and Parental Feeding Practices on Adolescent Self-Efficacy for Diet and Obesity in African American Adolescents.