College of Education and Health Services

What is Dietetics?

The integration, application and communication of principles derived from food, nutrition, social, business and basic sciences, to achieve and maintain optimal nutrition status of individuals through the development, provision and management of effective food and nutrition services in a variety of settings. - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

What careers are available with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics?

The field of nutrition is one of the most dynamic and diverse professions. Thus, career opportunities are quite varied. For example, a solid background in the science of nutrition and dietetics helps prepare you to:

• Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)  after the completion of a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD),  (i.e., Benedictine’s Nutrition and Dietetics major) and an accredited Dietetic  Internship experience. The RDN is an expert in food and nutrition who is  challenged to translate interdisciplinary knowledge into practical  applications. Read more about this in the Nutrition and Dietetics Major Guide.  
• Become a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR) after  the completion of a DPD.
• As a RDN or NDTR, counsel clients or patients on  medical nutrition therapy in health care and outpatient clinics. Or, work as a  nutritionist, health educator, coach or health promotion consultant in schools,  health care facilities, corporations, wellness facilities or the fitness  setting.
• Work in policy planning in public health  agencies and health associations.
• Develop and implement educational programs and  events to improve the nutritional and health status of the community.
• Explore a career in food service as a manager of  food services, food broker or sales representative in restaurants, health care  facilities, schools or industry. Other related choices include quality control  supervision and culinary education.
• Supervise those who deliver health promotion or  education.
• Develop a career as an author or editor of food  and nutrition-related print media.
• With further study in chemistry, work in food  science research for ingredient and product development.
• Serve to educate nutrition and allied health  professionals in an academic setting after earning an appropriate  graduate-level degree.

Why Major in Nutrition and Dietetics at Benedictine University?

• Benedictine University is a highly ranked university.
• The Benedictine University Nutrition and  Dietetics 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 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400).
• This program provides a strong focus on medical nutrition therapy.
• Our Nutrition and Dietetics program has been  rated highly by our students and alumni, and boasts a strong pass rate for the RDN exam for the past two years.
• You will have hands-on learning to provide  real-life immersion in topics. Nutrition courses use multiple methods of  interaction and assessment, including authentic case studies, presentations,  lesson plans, research, laboratory reports, debates and discussions. Nutrition and  Dietetics majors have the opportunity to gain real on-the-job experience,  confidence and a professional network through supervised practica.
• You will reap the benefits of smaller class  sizes by seizing opportunities for greater engagement with faculty in the  classroom, more active learning and networking with peers and future  colleagues.

“I would describe the BenU Nutrition program as intellectually rich. I joined the program because it's one of the strongest Nutrition programs in the state of Illinois, so I knew it would provide me with the best education to help me become a RDN, and to begin my career and start making differences in people's lives.”

Hristina Tasevski, current student

Program Mission

The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) will provide quality learning experiences to successfully prepare graduates for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. The program provides learners with a comprehensive knowledge and applications of the interrelationships of food, nutrition, and health for disease prevention and medical nutrition therapy intervention.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics major, the student will successfully:

1. Apply the Nutrition Care Process.
2. Integrate scientific information and research into practice.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of food service management systems.
4. Demonstrate professional practice skills.

In addition to successful completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics major, the student will successfully:

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.

Program Goals

Goal One: The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) graduates will be prepared to gain admittance into a Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated Program (CP), or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways (ISPPs) Program.

Objectives:

• Over a 3-year period, at least 80 percent of program students complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
• Over a 5-year period, the mean for "Progress on Relevant Objectives" for NUTR courses in the DPD is at or above 4.0/5.0 (raw score), as reported on the IDEA (course evaluation) Group Summary Report (GSR) or database.
• Over a 5-year period, 80 percent of DPD graduates report (mean score of greater than or equal to 3.5/5.0) that the DPD program meets or exceeds each learning objective.
• Over a 3-year period, 60 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior or within 12 months of graduation.
• Over a 3-year period, 40 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

Goal Two: The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) will prepare graduates to become entry-level dietetics practitioners or registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objectives:

• Over a 3-year period, the program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the DCR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• Over a 4-year period, 80 percent of Supervised Practice Program Directors will agree or strongly agree (score 3.5/5.0 or above) that the Benedictine University DPD has met or exceeded preparation of our graduates accepted into their program.
• Over a 5-year period, of those DPD students who are not matched and/or did not apply to supervised practice programs 10% will take the DTR exam within 12 months of graduation.
• Over a 5-year period, the program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the dietetic technician exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietetic technicians is at least 80%.

Goal Three: The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) graduates will demonstrate a commitment to service and life-long learning.

Objectives:

• Ninety percent of the DPD students will complete a leadership self-assessment prior to completing the program, and will rate their leadership abilities/skills on average 3.8 or higher (on a 5.0 scale).
• Over a 7-year period, 10% of DPD alumni who responded to our survey will report receipt of some form of leadership recognition, including an award.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Nutrition and Dietetics Curriculum Plans for Freshman and Transfer Students

Major Specific Notes

Students interested in pursuing a major in Nutrition and Dietetics initially enter the University as either pre-Dietetics or another major in the Nutrition department, such as Health Education and Promotion major.

Interested students then apply for acceptance into the Nutrition and Dietetics major once the following program prerequisites are completed with a grade of C or better: CHEM 101, 103, and 109, BIOL 197, 198, and 199, NUTR 241, and the University skills courses. It normally takes a minimum of two years to complete the degree after the program prerequisite courses are completed. Students in this program must maintain a GPA of 3.000/4.000. Application to the major is typically at the end of freshman year for those who start their academic career at our University. Refer to the Nutrition and Dietetics Major Guide available online for additional details.

Information for Prospective Students and Interns of CDR's Master's Degree Requirement

"Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

For more information on Benedictine University’s Dietetic Internship/Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition and Dietetics program contact the Dietetic Internship Director: Nikki Dewalt at ndewalt@ben.edu or click here.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here."

Second Degree Program

A Second Degree is available to those who enter the program following completion of bachelor’s degree elsewhere. As a minimum, all nutrition, cognate and skills courses required for the Nutrition and Dietetics major must be completed in order to complete a Second Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for additional details.

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 students who major in Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences or Food and Nutrition Management. The Dr. Scholl Scholarship fund is open to students who major in Nutrition and Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences. 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 and Dietetics program, 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 through the Nutrition Department.

Tuition and Fees Resources

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

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 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?"

Second Degree Program Applicants: Those students seeking DPD Verification coursework after completing a baccalaureate degree elsewhere must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.000/4.000 on all undergraduate college/university coursework. To initiate the articulation process you should submit your completed application as a second-degree seeking student directly to the Enrollment Center. Refer to the Nutrition and Dietetics Major Guide for additional details.

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 Nutrition Department Chair (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 Program Guide. 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. 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 Nutrition Department Chair (Lisle campus). The Department Chair 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 Nutrition and Dietetics Major (DPD) if I am accepted to the University?

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

Once I complete the Nutrition and Dietetics 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 and Dietetics Major Guide for more information about the process and suggestions to enhance your competitiveness.