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EIU Nutrition and Dietetics

If you are looking for an engaging discipline, enjoy learning about health and well-being and like to make a positive impact on others, dietetics is the option for you!

Our program offers small classes, hands-on application, creative coursework and a venue to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. If you wish to pursue other options in dietetics, such as working as a WIC nutritionist, food inspector, quality assurance manager or product developer in THE food industry, school food director, or as a health advocate, we offer courses that will help you to achieve your goal!

The undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) 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. For more information about the undergraduate DPD, please contact Bethni Gill, MA, RDN, LDN.

Effective Jan. 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 Dietetic Internship program at Eastern Illinois University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

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

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


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Why Choose EIU for Dietetics

Education into Action

Dietetic students at EIU are actively engaged with creative and scholarly activities within all areas of dietetic practice. The majority of dietetic course work involves various elements of integration learning, allowing students to “Connect, Reflect, and Grow” in their knowledge. Students can be actively engaged with University and community service work opportunities.

Student Spotlight

2020 CHHS Commencement Speech by Lindsey Carlson

Undergraduate Research

Have you ever been curious about something that didn’t have a clear answer, or doubt something that you were told or read? If so, you can chart your own course of inquiry by engaging in research. Nutrition and Dietetics faculty provide opportunities and support for interested students to develop and conduct research. Additionally, many students then go on to present their research at state, regional and national conferences. You could be one of them in the near future!

Preparing for Internships

Internships provide culminating experiences that often make a significant impact on your career decisions. Internships allow you to experience areas that you think would be a great fit with your interests and career goals. Take advantage of the experiences throughout your undergraduate years and then apply those experiences in your senior year.

 

Don't take our word for it

"EIU prepared me for being a dietitian by placing me in real life situations where a nutrition intervention needs to take place. Whether it was in an outpatient education, or product creation, or performing a clinical assessment scenario, I got to do it all. I had wonderful opportunities that EIU provided that allowed me to be exposed to new information, and ultimately be a successful clinical dietitian."

Grace Campbell (2016)

"My educational experience at EIU for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees is what I credit for my ability to be able to be successful in more than one sector of healthcare. I not only gained the clinical skills needed to provide excellent nutritional care to patients, but I also gained knowledge that has helped me be successful with so many other areas as well. These skills gained from professors who take personal pride in the success of their students, have opened doors for me that otherwise would not have been opened. By providing a well-rounded curriculum and challenging students to be better than they thought they could be, a strong work ethic and confidence in my ability were achieved.”

Laura Wise Collins (2001, 2003)

"I found my path to school nutrition in 2004 as a food service director in Breckenridge, CO where I discovered a passion for the complexity of Federal child nutrition programs and the importance of fueling the minds of the next generation. My degrees at EIU strengthened necessary skills to effectively evaluate programs and assist with targeting inefficiencies."

Lyza Brackett Shaw (1998, 1999)

"I had the wonderful opportunity to attend EIU for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. The professors there challenged me to become more confident and well rounded as they prepared me for a future in dietetics. During graduate school and my internship I was exposed to real world scenarios and took part in quality community, food service and clinical rotations. These experiences helped solidify my decision to work in the clinical arena and the knowledge I gained ensured I would be a more than competent Registered Dietitian.”

Corey Colson (2013, 2015)

Related Pages

Master of Science Nutrition & Dietetics College of Health and Human Services

Contact Information

Bethni S. Gill, MA, RDN, LDN
DPD Coordinator

Eastern Illinois University
1439 - Klehm
217-581-7163
Fax: 217-581-6090
bsgill@eiu.edu


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