Chaminade University will launch a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition program in Fall 2026, inviting students to delve deep into the science of health and wellness and then challenging them to apply their knowledge with hands-on projects that tackle public health challenges.
Pamela Smith, Ed.D., vice dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, called the Nutrition program a perfect complement to the University’s existing strengths in nursing and public health and said the addition will help create pathways to interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Nutrition plays a vital role in every stage of life and in every aspect of health,” Smith said.
“By combining rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, and nutritional science with hands-on experiential learning, the new program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to guide individuals, families, and communities toward healthier futures,” Smith said.
Students will explore areas such as food systems, cultural influences on diet, chronic disease prevention, and the relationship between nutrition and social determinants of health. Rooted in Chaminade’s service-focused mission, the program will also emphasize the importance of addressing social disparities in the Pacific through culturally responsive initiatives.
School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Lorin Ramocki, DNP, said that the Nutrition major and minor will stress versatility, giving students the opportunity to pursue health topics and personal projects they’re interested in. “It’s absolutely a hands-on curriculum,” she said.
Ramocki added Nutrition students will work closely with those across the school, mimicking the interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals they would encounter in hospitals, not-for-profit organizations and elsewhere in community settings.
Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.
“It’s pulling all those pieces together so we can prepare our workforce,” she said.
Smith noted that Chaminade is launching its Nutrition program as the demand for trained nutrition professionals continues to grow in the islands and nationwide. “When we’re talking about disease prevention and treatment, nutrition plays a key role,” she said.
Smith said in addition to a curriculum that stresses experiential learning and real-world application, students in the Nutrition program will benefit from personalized academic planning, faculty mentorship and opportunities to work with community partners.
“At its heart, the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition reflects Chaminade’s mission: to foster education that is transformative, community-oriented, and deeply rooted in the values of justice, peace, and service,” Smith said. “By integrating nutrition into its academic offerings, the university is nourishing not just bodies, but communities—and cultivating future leaders.”
There’s also a shortage of registered dietitians in Hawai’i, a role that requires a master’s degree. Chaminade University plans to begin offering a master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2027 so that students can further their studies and better Hawaii’s workforce needs.
Chaminade has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open a program to prepare registered dietitian nutritionists in early 2027.
The University’s eligibility application was accepted by ACEND* and is in the candidacy process for a proposed Future Education Model Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.
For more information on Chaminade’s candidacy, contact Smith at [email protected] or 808-735-4862.