Bachelor of Science
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
Bachelor of Science
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
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).
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:
Goal Two: The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) will prepare graduates to become entry-level dietetics practitioners or registered dietitian nutritionists.
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Goal Three: The Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) graduates will demonstrate a commitment to service and life-ling learning.
Objectives:
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
In 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, RDN, LDN
B.S.’18, NUTRITION
Clinical Outpatient Dietitian at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
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
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.