Overview
The mission of the BS Nutrition program is to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills through theory-to-practice, relationship-driven education, plus the proper communication skills, to successfully complete their professional dietetics training and become an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist. The program is committed to instilling in students the ability to be critical and independent thinkers while working in a team environment, considering all aspects of the person, becoming leaders in a diverse environment, and promoting an appreciation of and dedication to the profession of dietetics.
The BS Nutrition program is NOT an ACEND-accredited DPD program, and students graduating from the BS Nutrition program will not receive verification statements. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with our ACEND-accredited MS Nutrition & Dietetics Coordinated Program.
EIU Nutrition students are eligible for DIRECT ADMISSION to the ACEND-accredited Master's in Nutrition & Dietetics Coordinated Program, and have 3 admission options:
- 3+2 Program: apply in spring of your third year. Successful applicants will then complete 18 hours of graduate coursework during their 4th year, and double count those courses toward both degrees. Complete both BS and MS degrees in as little as 4.5 years, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Accelerated Master's Program: Apply after you have earned 60 hours. Successful applicants can take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework while still an undergrad, and apply those hours to both degrees. Complete both BS and MS in one semester less than the traditional program, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Traditional Master's Program: Apply for admission your senior year. Masters' degree requires a minimum of 4 terms to complete, including 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
Degree: B.S.
Completion time: 120 hours
Internships:
Students headed toward the RDN career pathway complete a 1000 hour clinical placement as part of their required graduate degree program. Students who elect to complete the traditional BS Nutrition will complete a 360 clock hour interneships focused in their interest area during their last semester.
Accreditation: The Coordinated Program is granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-5400.
Resources
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Degree Plan (PDF)
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First-Year Students
If you're looking for an engaging discipline, enjoy learning about health, and like to make a positive impact on others, Nutrition offers so many opportunities, whether you want to become a registered dietitian, or want to pursue other options, such as working as a WIC nutritionist, food inspector, quality assurance manager, product developer, school food director, or health advocate.
EIU Nutrition & Dietetics undergrads are now eligible for direct admission to the graduate program! As of January 1, 2024, a master's degree is required to be eligible for the RDN credential. We have three ways to be admitted to our program:
- 3+2 Program: apply in spring of your third year. Successful applicants will then complete 18 hours of graduate coursework during their 4th year, and double count those courses toward both degrees. Complete both BS and MS degrees in as little as 4.5 years, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Accelerated Master's Program: Apply after you have earned 60 hours. Successful applicants can take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework while still an undergrad, and apply those hours to both degrees. Complete both BS and MS in one semester less than the traditional program, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement. Available for both the clinical Coordinated Program option and the Nutrition Education option of the master's degree program.
- Traditional Master's Program: Apply for admission your senior year. Masters' degree requires a minimum of 4 terms to complete. Coordinated Program option includes required 1000 hour clinical placement which leads to eligibility to earn the RDN credential. Nutrition Education option has a more community nutrition education focus and does not require an internship, and has an available online delivery option.
For more information, contact Dr. Julie Dietz (jcdietz@eiu.edu).
Transfer Students
The undergraduate dietetics program is transfer friendly. Please be sure to consult with your community college advisor and/or your EIU academic advisor to be sure that the courses taken at your community college will transfer in as required dietetic courses.
EIU Nutrition & Dietetics undergrads are now eligible for direct admission to the graduate program! We have three ways to do that:
- 3+2 Program: apply in spring of your third year. Successful applicants will then complete 18 hours of graduate coursework during their 4th year, and double count those courses toward both degrees. Complete both BS and MS degrees in as little as 4.5 years, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Accelerated Master's Program: Apply after you have earned 60 hours. Successful applicants can take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework while still an undergrad, and apply those hours to both degrees. Complete both BS and MS in one semester less than the traditional program, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Traditional Master's Program: Apply for admission your senior year. Masters' degree requires a minimum of 4 terms to complete, including 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
For more information, contact Dr. Julie Dietz (jcdietz@eiu.edu).
If you're looking for an engaging discipline, enjoy learning about health, and like to make a positive impact on others, Nutrition offers so many opportunities, whether you want to become a registered dietitian, or want to pursue other options, such as working as a WIC nutritionist, food inspector, quality assurance manager, product developer, school food director, or health advocate.
EIU Nutrition & Dietetics undergrads are now eligible for direct admission to the graduate program! As of January 1, 2024, a master's degree is required to be eligible for the RDN credential. We have three ways to be admitted to our program:
- 3+2 Program: apply in spring of your third year. Successful applicants will then complete 18 hours of graduate coursework during their 4th year, and double count those courses toward both degrees. Complete both BS and MS degrees in as little as 4.5 years, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement.
- Accelerated Master's Program: Apply after you have earned 60 hours. Successful applicants can take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework while still an undergrad, and apply those hours to both degrees. Complete both BS and MS in one semester less than the traditional program, including the 1000 clock hour clinical placement. Available for both the clinical Coordinated Program option and the Nutrition Education option of the master's degree program.
- Traditional Master's Program: Apply for admission your senior year. Masters' degree requires a minimum of 4 terms to complete. Coordinated Program option includes required 1000 hour clinical placement which leads to eligibility to earn the RDN credential. Nutrition Education option has a more community nutrition education focus and does not require an internship, and has an available online delivery option.
For more information, contact Dr. Julie Dietz (jcdietz@eiu.edu).
