College of Education and Health Services

Join the Benedictine University Nutrition Program and experience...

A Highly Ranked University

The Benedictine University Dietetics concentration combined with the Nutrition Major is accredited as a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD). U.S. News & World Report consistently lists Benedictine University among the top colleges and universities in the nation.

An Accredited Program

The Benedictine University Nutrition Major is accredited as a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400). Those completing the program are eligible to apply for admission to accredited Dietetic Internships. Acceptance into an accredited dietetic internship program is highly competitive. Successful completion of both of these programs qualifies one to take the registration examination to become a licensed and Registered Dietitian, and an Active Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Quality Academic Outcomes

The Benedictine University nutrition programs have been rated highly by our own students and alumni. Numerous students have been recipients of department and university awards. Our program is attractive to others, evidenced by our enrollment increases.

Quality Instruction

You will learn from faculty who have researched, presented, and published in nutrition. We carefully select adjunct faculty, so you can learn from, and network with, professionals currently working in a variety of areas in dietetics. Many of our faculty are recipients of professional awards, including Outstanding Dietetics Educator, Outstanding Dietitian Award, and Who's Who in the World Award.

Quality Academic Experiences

We strongly believe in "hands-on" learning and assessment. Nutrition courses use multiple methods of interaction and assessment, including authentic case studies, presentations, lesson plans, research, laboratory reports, debates, and discussions.

Concrete Practical Learning Experiences

Nutrition majors have the opportunity to gain real on-the-job experience, confidence, and networking through supervised Practica.

Small Class Sizes

Reap the benefit of smaller classes sizes by seizing the opportunities for greater engagement in the classroom, more active learning, and networking with your peers - your future colleagues. The average undergraduate class size for regular courses at our university is 19 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. Course enrollment in nutrition courses normally range from 10 to 25 students.

Leadership Opportunities

Through the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics and numerous other campus activities, the local dietetic association, and engaging as a member of a team in select courses, you can work to develop your leadership potential in nutrition and dietetics.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the nutrition major the student will successfully:

1. Demonstrate knowledge, application, and integration of principles of health promotion and disease prevention with normal nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and public health nutrition for varied populations.
2. Develop beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors for professional practice, including:
• Effective and professional communication skills.
• Application of nutrition education principles.
• Applied knowledge of ethical principles.
3. Apply principles of food and techniques of food preparation.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and strategic application of principles of management theories and systems.
5. Effectively Integrate scientific information and research into practice.
6. Develop teamwork, cultural competence, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Nutrition Major Checklist

As a Nutrition Major, you are encouraged to utilize the Nutrition Major Checklist to track your progress towards degree completion.  Checklists are available in the Nutrition Major Handbook.

All Benedictine University students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. The Nutrition Major program requires cognates in natural and social sciences, business, ethics, and communications (oral and written) in addition to the nutrition courses. You can actively shape your curriculum through choice of remaining electives needed for graduation.

Although not required, students have the opportunity to earn a minor in addition to the major in Nutrition. For example, if you completed the General Chemistry sequence (in lieu of, or in addition to, the introductory chemistry course), you should discuss the option of a biology minor with your academic advisor.

Second Degree Program

A Second Degree is available to those who enter the program following completion of bachelor degree elsewhere. As a minimum, all nutrition and cognate courses required for the Nutrition Major must be completed in order to complete a Second Degree in Nutrition.

Many opportunities exist for nutrition students in need of financial assistance. Grants, low interest bank loans, or scholarships may be available from the government, corporations, community or civic groups, philanthropic and religious organizations, and Benedictine University.

Contact a representative in the University Financial Aid Office and refer to the university website for scholarship information. A student should always ask, even if he/she does not believe him/herself to be eligible for financial aid, as there often are Merit Scholarships based on academic performance available as well.

Sodexo has established a scholarship/award open to Benedictine University juniors and seniors majoring in nutrition. The Dr. Scholl Scholarship fund is open to nutrition students. There are also several endowed scholarships not designated to a specific major, but based on financial need, achievement, and sometimes leadership. More information for all of these are posted on the scholarship page of the Benedictine University website.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) offers students the opportunity to apply for scholarships. To qualify, students must be at least junior standing and enrolled in an accredited undergraduate nutrition program (i.e., Dietetics Concentration of the Nutrition Major), Dietetic Internship program, or master degree program, depending upon the scholarship. Due to the limited number of available scholarships, these are quite competitive and thus prestigious to receive. Refer to the September Supplement of the Journal of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or the Academy website for more information. Generally, you must be a member of the Academy to receive an Academy or local dietetic association scholarship. Membership information is available on the Academy website or throught the Nutrition Department.

Tuition and Fees Resources

• BenU Financial Aid Office
• BenU Tuition and Fees
• BenU Scholarships
• Academy Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Benedictine accept transfer credit?

Yes, we accept course credit from other colleges and universities with accreditation. Credits are examined on a case-by-case basis. For those who took courses in Illinois, all courses successfully completed with IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) designations are transferable. Only courses with grades of a "C" or better, within a specified time frame, can count towards meeting the nutrition Major requirements. Refer to our Course Acceptance and Validation policy guidelines for details of the timeline.

Application procedures, transfer FAQ, transfer guides, and other pertinent information can be found online at: Benedictine University Transfer.

I am a transfer (or second degree) student.
Can I send just come in and show you my transcript for an evaluation?

We want to make certain that you have the most accurate and complete articulation possible, so we require that you submit your completed application, including official transcripts, directly to the Enrollment Center so a representative of the Center can begin the articulation process. They are the "articulation experts." Only through an official articulation can we tell you the answers to the questions: "How many courses do I have left?" and "How long will it take me to complete the program?

While your articulation is in progress, you may receive a request for further information, such as a more complete course description or syllabus of a cognate (e.g., science course). If you completed any nutrition courses within the accepted Course Acceptance and Validation policy guidelines , you will need to provide syllabi and course projects to the Director of the undergraduate Nutrition Program (on the Lisle campus) after the rest of the articulation process is completed by the Enrollment Center representative. Acceptance of a course towards graduation credit requirements is not the same as towards specific DPD (Dietetics) requirements; only the Lisle campus DPD Director determines these.  The Transfer Counselor (from the Enrollment Center) will assist you throughout the transfer process and your first term of registration. Your advising file is then sent to the Nutrition Department.

If you only want a quick "estimate" via an informal evaluation, you are encouraged to utilize the checklists and course descriptions available in the Nutrition Major Handbook. Transcript evaluations do not occur at our department or college level for the nutrition programs. We do not accept requests for transcript reviews.

I am an international student.
Can I just show you my transcript for an evaluation?

The general articulation process for an international student is similar to that of a transfer student. Please read the response to the previous question.

In addition to submitting official transcripts, the international student must also submit official translations, and the foreign degree evaluation.  For a list of agencies, visit http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/content.aspx?id=9725.  Note: The Nutrition Major does NOT accept an ECE evaluation; there are no exceptions.  Visit the university International website for information about the Admissions Process, deadlines, the required documents, etc. Submit these documents directly to the Enrollment Center.

While your articulation is in progress, expect to receive a request for further information if any of your coursework includes nutrition or science courses. However, note that the Course Acceptance and Validation policy guidelines apply. Normally international students are asked to provide a copy of the entire course syllabus per degree (original, and translated to English if needed), a copy of your original transcripts, and course assignments and projects you believe related to the Benedictine University Nutrition Major to the Director of the undergraduate Nutrition Program (Lisle campus). This Director cannot fully articulate (i.e., give you the most credit possible) the international courses without all the requested pieces. Allow several weeks for the process once you submit all the required documents to the Enrollment Center.

A Transfer Counselor will assist you throughout the transfer process and your first term of registration. Your advising file is then sent to the Nutrition Department.

Am I guaranteed to be eligible for the Dietetics concentration in the Nutrition Major (DPD)  if I am accepted to the University?

No. Refer to the Nutrition Major Handbook for eligibility and application procedures for the DPD.

Once I complete the Dietetics concentration with the Nutrition Major (Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics), am I guaranteed a placement in a Dietetic Internship program?

No. Students must apply to Dietetic Internship programs of interest. Consistent with 'match' procedures, neither the university or faculty place undergraduate students into Dietetic Internship programs. Acceptance and match into Dietetic Internship programs are competitive; the national computer match rate for Dietetic Internships is approximately 50% (of those who apply to those who are matched in April). You must make yourself a competitive candidate. Refer to the Nutrition Major Handbook for more information about the process and suggestions to enhance your competitiveness.