BS Nutrition
So.....how do I become an RDN?
The BS Nutrition will provide you with all the knowledge, training, and as much experience as we can pack in to prepare you to be successful in the MS Nutrition & Dietetics graduate program. If becoming an RDN is your dream, then you must complete an accredited master's degree program in Nutrition & Dietetics. At EIU, that's the MSND: Coordinated Program.
All BS Nutrition students take the same required courses during Years 1-3. During Year 3, we will help you decide which of the three pathways to enter the graduate program is the right path for you: the 3+2 Program, the Accelerated Program, or the Traditional Pathway. All EIU students who are eligible for admission to the MSND: Coordinated Program are ALSO eligible for direct admission, and do not have to participate in (or pay for!) the DICAS match process. For more information and help deciding which pathway is right for you, check out the Advising page, and talk to the Nutrition academic advisor, Dr. Julie Dietz.
During your MSND: Coordinated Program, you will complete 1000 hours of clinical experience. Assuming you pass all your courses and the clinical experience, you will graduate with your MSND: CP, and be eligible for your verification statement, and to sit for the RDN credentialing exam. After you pass your exam, you may also need to apply for licensure depending on which state you want to practice in.
There is a national shortage of RDNs, and the National Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster than average growth in the profession.
What else can I do with a BS Nutrition?
There are MANY nutrition careers and jobs that do NOT require an RDN credential. Most community health outreach programs include some type of nutrition education component. Plus, the BS Nutrition is excellent preparation for many other clinical or therapeutic health professions.
Do you have a minor I could add on to my major?
Absolutely! The Nutrition minor is an excellent enhancement for any student in health, exercise science, pre-clinical, or other therapeutic career pathways. Ask your academic advisor about adding the Nutrition minor the next time you talk with them!
Accreditation information:
The undergraduate program is currently transitioning away from Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accreditation. The DPD program will be retired effective May 31, 2026, and currently enrolled students must complete all requirements for their degree before May 31, 2026, if they wish to receive a DPD verification statement. the BS Nutrition & Dietetics remains accredited as a DPD program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics through May 31, 2026.
The MS Nutrition & Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as both a Dietetic Internship (DI) program and as a Coordinated Program (CP).
Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics 120 Riverside Place, Suite 2190 Chicago, IL 60606-6995 (312) 899-5400
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about licensure per state click here.