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Nutrition and
Dietetics

Bachelor of Science

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH

Visit the Nutrition Home Page
table of food laid out in a row, image has white overlay; Nutrition and Dietetics MS program

At Benedictine University, we have 40 years of demonstrated excellence in Nutrition. Founded in the sciences, our accredited Nutrition and Dietetics major (DPD) excels in areas of medical nutrition, wellness, and community health.

To best prepare you for your career path, we immerse you in authentic experiences, including case studies, nutrition assessment, counseling, labs, and professional mentoring. Our USDA funded Multi-Cultural Program provides the opportunity for scholarships and community leadership development. Additional experiential opportunities include our study abroad nutrition course, research with faculty, and hands-on practica at worksites. As an undergraduate, you are eligible to take graduate courses and pre-match into our combined Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program or other post-baccalaureate programs. Successful completion of our DPD/MS/DI programs qualifies you to take the registration examination to become a licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

walkway between Kindlon and Goodwin on the Lisle campus with gray film over picture

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 (ISPP’s) 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-ling 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.

 

female student with backpack outside walking holding books

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

Apply the Nutrition Care Process.
Integrate scientific information and research into practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of food service management systems.
Demonstrate professional practice skills.
Demonstrate leadership and career management skills.

Dietetic Internship placement match rate 100% for 6 straight yearsIn 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. Meeting the above major requirements also satisfies the following General Education requirements: Engaged Learning, Learning Community, two NUTR Writing intensive courses, Life-Scientific (QLS), Physical Scientific (QPS), Computational, Mathematical and Analytical (QCM) and Global.

bowl of cereal with fruit and a tape measure on top; nutrition and dietetics
Dietician speaking with patient while sitting at desk with computer

What Our Graduates Have Done With This Major

Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni

Our graduates are accepted into dietetic internship programs and graduate programs at a rate higher than the national average. Some of our alumni work as dietitians and nutritionists in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, private practice and community settings.

An Accredited Program

Benedictine’s nutrition and dietetics curriculum 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.

box of colorful vegetables, Nutrition and Food Science Minor program
Female student writing on a clipboard ; management program

Excellent Academic Preparation

Our program is consistently rated highly by our students and alumni. It boasts an average pass rate of 98% on the RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) exam for the past three years. We are also proud to have a 100% Dietetic Internships placement match rate for the past 3 years.

Strong Job Outlook

Jobs in nutrition and dietetics are expected to grow by 8% nationally from 2018 to 2028 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook). Compared to other metropolitan areas, the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights region has the largest level of employment for dietetic technicians and the third-largest level of employment for registered dietitians and nutritionists in the country.

Adult female student, outdoors, portrait
Lisle Campus

I would describe the BenU nutrition program as intellectually rich and stimulating. I joined the program because it is one of the strongest in the state of Illinois. BenU’s degree in dietetics provided me with the foundation that helped me match to my dietetic internship at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital; embark on my career as a clinical outpatient dietitian at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center; and start making a difference in people’s lives.

Hristina Tasevski

HRISTINA TASEVSKI, RDN, LDN
B.S.’18, NUTRITION
Clinical Outpatient Dietitian at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

accreditation council for education in nutrition and dietetics logo

Dietetics Programs

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) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 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 IX gatekeeper. Per ACEND:

“This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards as is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs: (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend)

This program does not meet the requirements for licensure in all states.

Contact the Higher Learning Commission:
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
(800) 621-7440
(312) 623-0456

Accreditation

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.


  • For the 3 year results for Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) here are the findings:
    Results Average  (2019-2021) = 66.67%
  • For the 3 year results for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) here are the findings:
    Results Average for last 3 years (2019-2021) = 87.88%
APPLY NOW!

Bonnie Beezhold, PhD, MHS, MCHES®
Associate Dean, College of Science and Health
Associate Professor | Dept of Nutrition and Public Health
o: 630-829-1145   c: 480-620-6773
[email protected]

Benedictine University
Department of Nutrition
5700 College Road
Kindlon Hall, Room 224
Lisle, IL 60532