COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
The Nutrition Programs at Benedictine University have a nearly 40 year history of excellence.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
The Nutrition Programs at Benedictine University have a nearly 40 year history of excellence.
Nutrition: The scientific study of food and nourishment, including food composition, dietary guidelines, and the roles that various nutrients have in maintaining health. It is the process by which living organisms obtain food and use it for growth, metabolism, and repair. The stages of nutrition include ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport, assimilation, and excretion.
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.
We offer an undergraduate B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics major program, which is a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD). Our DPD is one of six programs in Northern Illinois that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students completing the DPD degree program are eligible to apply for acceptance into accredited Dietetic Internship programs.
Successful completion of the combined Master / Dietetic Internship program qualifies one to sit for the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). We offer a Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition and Dietetics. Students must have completed a DPD to apply to these combined Master / Dietetic Internship programs.
Improving health and preventing disease is a critical concern for every community and has never been more timely. The Health Education and Promotion major is for those who desire to become health education specialists who are trained to help others become healthier. According to the professional association for health education specialists (the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing or NCHEC), they “work with individuals, families, and communities, as well as public and private organizations to create, implement, oversee, and analyze programs and strategies that promote health and well-being” (https://www.nchec.org/). Through education and engagement, the major fosters the ability to develop sustainable health solutions and health equity to advocate for and strengthen the health of diverse communities as well as acting as reputable health resources.
The HLED major at BenU is aligned with the national competencies for health education specialists established by NCHEC. This means students graduating with this major not only gain evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to prepare them for a vocation in health education, but also gain eligibility to take the credentialing examination offered through NCHEC in order to become credentialed as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Although not an online degree, most of the health education (HLED) courses for this major are offered online. This newer degree is the perfect complement to any associates degree, especially ones in the health related sciences or business.
Benedictine University is a participant of The Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). AQIP is an alternative process to maintain accreditation with The Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, Phone: (800) 621-7440 / (312) 263-0456.
The curricula for our Benedictine University Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) and Dietetic Internship program have been granted accreditation 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, Illinois 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400. Our most recent accreditation visit was in 2017, and the program was awarded accreditation through June 30, 2025. Outcomes are available upon request.
The United States Department of Education recognizes ACEND as a Title IV gatekeeper. Per ACEND:
“This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs” (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend).
Lisle Campus
5700 College Rd. Lisle, IL 60532
2.5 miles east of Downtown Naperville
(630) 829-6000
Mesa Campus
225 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ 85201
(602) 888-5500
