Hunger Has Causes. Help be the Cure.

Food insecurity is more than being hungry – it means not knowing where your next meal will come from or having to choose between food and other basic needs like housing and transportation. This certificate helps prepare students for careers that involve food systems and hunger. Students completing the certificate will have the basic knowledge and skills to provide thoughtful and impactful strategies to promote sustainable food systems and to fight hunger. Students seeking careers involving healthcare, public health, nonprofit work, social work, farm management, and agricultural biotechnology would benefit from this certificate.

Program Requirements

Students must be in good academic standing at the time of admission. To complete the Food Systems and Hunger Studies certificate, students must successfully complete the required coursework, with a C or better in each course, and certificate activities. All certificate students must take DHN 318, DHN 319, DHN 320, SAG 210, and three credits of 200-level or greater of approved elective coursework. Course substitutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

DHN 318 Hunger, Food Behavior, and the Environment
The course brings together the role of the biological processes that influence hunger with the physiological responses to cues in the social and neighborhood environment that influence what we eat. The connection between what we eat, and lifelong health consequences of dietary patterns can be seen at the individual, familial, and community level. Topics in this course will include hunger and satiety, taste preferences and food aversions, food policy, sustainability, the role of the food environment, and nutrition policy. (3 credits) Prereq: DHN 101, DHN 212, or consent of instructor

DHN 319 Seminar in Hunger Studies
This course provides a multi-disciplinary approach to hunger studies. Students will develop a written paper and professional seminar on a current hunger-related issue. (1 credit) Prereq: DHN 318 (can be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor

DHN 320 Experiential Learning in Hunger Studies
Students will engage in experiential learning in a pre-approved volunteer, internship, study abroad, or paid work experience related to the world fight against hunger and social injustice. (2 credits) Prereq: DHN 318 (can be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor

SAG 210 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems
Introduction to the environmental, economic, and cultural components of sustainable food production and distribution in local and regional food systems. The definition, emergence, and growth of sustainable agriculture are discussed along with pertinent soil, crop, and livestock management practices. Emphasis is placed on holistic analysis of current issues in agriculture and food systems from environmental, profitability, and social justice perspectives. (3 credits) Prereq: None

  • AEC 309 International Agriculture, World Food Needs and U.S. Trade in Agricultural Products
  • AFE 300 Special Topics in Agriculture, Food and Environment: (Subtitle Required)*
  • ANT 225 Culture, Environment and Global Issues
  • ANT 251 Global Health Inequalities
  • CPH 201 An Introduction to Public Health: Theory and Methods
  • ECO 450G The Economics of Poverty and Inequality

*Approved subtitles only

Other courses may be appropriate to fulfill this requirement. Such courses must be pre-approved by the Certificate Director.

A student cultivates a field of peppers on a red tractor on South Farm.

Admission Instructions

  • Submit a request through myUK to add the Undergraduate Certificate in Food Systems and Hunger Studies as an “additional major”.
  • Once your request has been processed, you will receive an email outlining the next steps.
  • Navigate to UK’s Undergraduate Application Portal
  • Apply to UK with a “Non-Degree Application”.
  • On the “Applicant Information” page under Applicant Type, select “Certificate”.
  • Under Program of Study, select “Certificate in Food Systems and Hunger Studies”.
  • Navigate to UK’s Undergraduate Application Portal
  • Apply to UK with a “Non-Degree Application”.
  • On the “Applicant Information” page under Applicant Type, select “Visiting Student”.
  • Under Program of Study, select “Agriculture, Food and Environment – Non-Degree”.
  • Email cafeadvising@uky.edu and request to enroll in the Food Systems and Hunger Studies upon admission.

Living Learning Program

The Living Learning Program (LLP) supports student success by placing students with similar interests into smaller communities in particular residence halls.

Academic Enrichment

Our college believes in learning by doing. Our students are required to complete at least one type of experiential or hands-on learning opportunity, such as undergraduate research, an internship or an education abroad experience.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous alumni, donors and community partners, we have one of the largest scholarship programs at UK. Only one application is required for our college’s scholarships, but there are hundreds of potential awards.

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Director of Undergraduate Certificate
Makenzie Barr-Porter, PhD, RDN, LD

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