Current Illinois State Students
Professional Practice / Internships
The Food, Nutrition and Dietetics (FND) sequence prepares students for dietetic internships and careers in promoting optimal health by incorporating positive food choices and nutrition strategies which influence the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
The FND sequence is a 120–121 semester hour program that includes extensive coursework in the sciences, social sciences, management and specialized courses covering the broad field of food, nutrition and dietetics. Students gain comprehensive knowledge of foods and nutrition and develop professional skills in medical nutrition therapy, food service management, community health and nutrition counseling. Graduates are eligible to apply for a post-graduate dietetic internship during their last semester. Dietetic internship are a minimum 1200 hours of experience (approximately 8 months) and typically 10-12 month long.
The FND degree option is an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program, one of 225 accredited programs in the United States. The DPD program meets the American Dietetic Association Standards of Education and prepares students for a post-graduate dietetic internship and a career as a registered dietitian (R.D.). Registered dietitians work in many areas using their specialized knowledge of food and nutrition. Employment opportunities are diverse and include medical centers, corporate wellness, school lunch programs, long-term care facilities, food companies, medical clinics, public relations companies, medical product companies, education and research, sports nutrition, personal wellness training, and others. Graduates who do not complete a dietetic internship seek entry-level employment in a food and nutrition related area upon graduation.
Completion of a DPD program is not a guarantee of acceptance by a dietetic internship. A national matching process is used for post-graduate dietetic internship placement. In spring 2009, fewer than 50% of applicants nationally were matched with a dietetic internship.
For more detailed information about the process of becoming a Registered Dietitian check out the Food, Nutrition and Dietetics at ISU and Steps to Becoming a R.D. link.
Four-year and two-year plans of study are helpful in reviewing the curriculum and course planning. The two-year plan of study is most appropriate for transfer students.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Illinois State University is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetics Association (ADA). CADE is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and can be contacted at:
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040, Ext. 5400.
