Illinois Nutrition Degree Programs, Online Included

Reviewed and updated June 27, 2024 by

Melissa Darlow, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Masters in Clinical Nutrition (New York University).

There are numerous nutrition degrees in Illinois at all degree levels, from Bachelors to Masters levels. There are 4 online nutrition related degrees and 18 on campus nutrition degrees in Illinois.

15 nutrition programs in Illinois are ACEND accredited (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Education). This means the programs meet the requirements to move onto the dietetic internship. Once the DI is complete and a Master's degree is obtained, students can sit for the CDR exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

The most common degree program in Illinois is a Masters degree in Nutrition.

Are there online nutrition degree programs in Illinois?

Yes, there are several online nutrition degrees available in Illinois. Benedictine University has an online Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness (MSNW), Illinois State University has a partially online MS in Nutrition, Eastern Illinois University has an online MSN-DI and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an online MS in Food Science.

The programs offered at Benedictine University, Illinois State and Eastern Illinois University are all ACEND accredited.

Online nutrition degrees in Illinois

In depth review of top online nutrition degrees in Illinois /h2>

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - MS in Food Science

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an online-non thesis Master of Science in Food Science. UIUC also has Master degrees in Clinical and Community Nutrition and Human Nutrition, but they are not available online.

The MS in Food Science is within the Department of Human Nutrition, but it is not solely nutrition focused. A degree in Food Science prepares students to understand and apply scientific principles to the quality, quantity and safety of food. A degree in Food Science has a few overlapping courses with a degree in Human Nutrition such as General Chemistry and Microbiology. Graduates of the program work as food safety specialists, product scientists and in regulatory affairs. Students more interested in the science and behavioral aspect of nutrition would be better suited with an MS in Nutrition. However, as of 2024 to become a Registered Dietitian any MS degree is acceptable. Admission requirements include an online application, undergraduate transcript, official resume and reference letters. No GRE needed.

Benedictine University - MS in Nutrition and Wellness

Benedictine University is a private institution that offers 2 Master of Science tracks in Nutrition and Dietetics. Track A is geared towards those seeking to become a Registered Dietitian and is ACEND accredited. The program takes 16 months to complete and combines the MS and Dietetic Internship.

Track B is fully online and allows students the flexibility to pursue a masters degree while pacing their own schedule. The program takes around 2 years to complete. Most students take one-8 week course at a time and two courses per semester. However, students can also customize their schedule and take two courses per session (4 per semester) to graduate in less time.

Track B is designed for graduates who have completed the DPD program or are credentialed RDNs seeking a graduate degree. The Science of Sports Nutrition, Health Communications and Marketing and Leadership and Management in Health Organizations are a few of the required courses. Electives include Social Determinants of Health, Dimensions of Wellness and Environmental Health. Graduates of the program work as food and nutrition service directors, consumer affair specialists and in clinical settings.

Application requirements include official transcripts, completion of the DPD and verification statement from an ACEND program or the RDN credential. 2 letters of reference and a personal statement are also needed. No GRE required.

Illinois State University - Distance Dietetic Internship + MS in Nutrition

Illinois State University has a distance dietetic internship and online MS in Nutrition pathway. The MS degree can be completed during or after the distance internship. The MS in Nutrition program is offered in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The MS has both a thesis and non-thesis option. Both the thesis and non-thesis track feature certain courses such as Statistics in Applied Science and Research Methods. Elective courses include Community Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Restaurant Operations.

The distance DI provides a 12-credit hour certificate program. The DI rotates through a variety of settings. Settings include food service kitchens, hospitals and community centers. Once the internship is complete, students earn a verification statement allowing them to take the national RD examination. The DI is also available as a stand alone for students not seeking a graduate degree through Illinois State University. The program can take up to 50 interns per year.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, official transcripts and a DPD verification statement to apply. The GRE is not required.

Eastern Illinois University - MSND-DI and MSND-NE

Eastern Illinois University has two MS in Nutrition and Dietetics tracks. Track one is a MS in Nutrition and Dietetics: Dietetic Internship (MSND-DI). Students have the option to take classes on campus or online. The program takes 2 years to complete, with year one consisting of graduate coursework and year 2 of supervised practice. Core courses include Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition in Public Health. Electives include Leadership Development, Food Production Development and Advanced Human Nutrition. Once coursework is completed, students with move on to the ACEND accredited dietetic internship portion. The DI rotates through various clinical sites in Illinois.

Track two is a MS in Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Education (MSND-NE). This program focuses on educating individuals and communities to make healthy lifestyle choices. There are 21 semester hours of required courses and 15 semester hours of electives. Classes are offered both on campus and 100% online. This track does not include the dietetic internship. Required courses include Nutrition Education, Leadership Development in Nutrition and Research Methods. The program is designed for international students, previously credentialed RDNs or those who do not wish to earn the RDN credential. While most students graduate within 3-4 semesters, the school allows six years to complete the degree.

Application requirements include official transcripts, letters of reference and a resume. No GRE necessary.

Are there ACEND accredited nutrition and dietetic degrees in Illinois?

Yes, there are 16 ACEND accredited nutrition and dietetic degrees available in Illinois. Of those, 12 lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and 4 are Masters degrees.

Bradley University ACEND accredited Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics

Bradley University has an ACEND accredited Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. There are 36 total credit hours and it takes two years to complete. The program is unique as it combines classroom and experiential learning. The supervised experiential learning takes place in a variety of settings such as clinical, foodservice and community organizations. All students will complete 1045 hours of supervised learning.

Bradley University offers small class sizes and every student has the ability to obtain mentorship from a faculty member. Required courses include Food Development, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Assessment and Counseling. Electives include Counseling Diverse Populations, Grant Writing and International Health. A few select courses are offered online but most are on campus.

Admission into the program requires a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Students must also submit proof of the DPD verification statement and fill out an online application. No GRE necessary.

Dominican University - BS, MS and combined MS/MBA in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dominican University has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics offered in the Borra College of Health Sciences. The program is ACEND accredited and once completed, students are eligible for an ACEND dietetic internship. Required courses include Nutritional Biochemistry, Fundamentals of Foods and Nutrition Communication Skills. All students must meet a minimum of B- letter grade in all nutrition department classes. Possible electives include Food Chemistry and Special Topics in Nutrition.

Dominican University also offers a Master of Science in Nutrition. The MS in Nutrition takes four semesters to complete as a full-time student, but both full and part time status are available. The MS program offers a specialized Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP). The ISPP track meets the same ACEND requirements as traditional pathways but in less time. To qualify, students must have a bachelor's degree and DPD verification statement. The ISPP certificate is awarded through a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice. Dominican also has a distance ISPP program where students must find their own rotation sites and preceptors. The distance program is suitable for students who live over 100 miles away from Dominican's River Forest campus.

Dominican University is also the only school in the country to offer a MBA/RD program. The coordinated MBA/RD degree can be completed in two years and doubles the earning potential and career opportunities for nutrition professionals. The program is 48 credits and consists of 30 credit hours of online and evening MBA specific classes and 18 credit hours of ACEND accredited supervised experience. Alumni of the program are employed in leadership roles in the health and wellness spaces. Graduates work in government programs, public relations and the food industry. Application requirements include an online application, reference letters, undergraduate transcripts and a resume. The GRE is not needed.

Eastern Illinois University - BS and MS in Nutrition and Dietetics

Eastern Illinois University has an ACEND accredited BS in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is housed in the College of Health and Human Services. Required courses include Nutrition Across the Lifespan, Food Science and Nutrition Assessment and Counseling. EIU has an interactive student body, with many Nutrition majors participating in the Student Dietetic Association. Students will receive a DPD Verification statement upon completion of the program.

Eastern Illinois University also has an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics. There are two tracks: the MSND-DI and MSND-NE (Nutrition Education). The MSND-DI includes the dietetic internship component which students need to obtain the RD credential. The program gives students the option to complete the masters coursework online or in person.

Campus-based and online dietetics and nutrition degrees in Illinois

In depth review of top campus based nutrition programs in Illinois

University of Illinois at Chicago – BS in Dietetics / Accelerated MS/CP and MS in Nutrition

The University of Illinois at Chicago has a BS in Nutrition with two degree pathways. Path one is to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian. Path two serves as a foundation for pre-health professions or careers in research. The RDN pathway meets ACEND requirements. Both pathways have similar curriculum and include courses on the biochemical and pathophysiological aspects of nutrition, counseling and motivational interviewing techniques and community nutrition resources.

UIC also has an ACEND accredited accelerated MS/ Coordinated Program that includes a graduate degree in Nutrition and a 1000 hour DI. The program takes 2-3 years to complete and must be done on campus. Courses include Nutritional Assessment, Culture and Food and Nutrition Education. Once coursework and supervised practice are complete, students are issued a verification statement. Students can elect to do a project or thesis, however it is not required to graduate and will extend the length of the program.

UIC also offers a traditional Master of Science in Nutrition. The MS in Nutrition does not fulfill the requirements to sit for the RD exam, unlike the coordinated MS/DI program. This program is geared towards individuals interested in pursuing a career in research or nursing and medicine. The traditional MS degree is extremely unique because there are no required classes. Each student will work with an assigned advisor to design coursework that meets their interests and goals. Students can choose any 400 or 500-level course offered by any program at UIC. For example, students interested in clinical nutrition can take classes in the school of Nursing, Medicine or Pharmacy. A final project is required to graduate.

Admission requirements for UIC’s programs include official transcripts, reference letters and a resume. No GRE needed.

Northern Illinois University – BS and MS in Nutrition and Dietetics

Northern Illinois University has a BS in Nutrition, Dietetics and Wellness. There are two tracks. Track one is ACEND accredited and includes DPD coursework to become a Registered Dietitian. Track two is in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. The Nutrition, Health and Wellness track provides the foundation for roles in schools, fitness clubs and community agencies and is not ACEND accredited. Courses include Global Food and Nutrition, Nutrition and Aging and Nutrition as Medicine. Students who pursue the DPD plan must maintain a 3.0 GPA and take certain courses such as Medical Nutrition Therapy and Organic Chemistry.

Northern Illinois University also has a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Each student is paired with an advisor to create an individualized course plan that reflects their academic goals. Students can elect to complete their dietetic internship alongside the MS degree and choose from over 45 practicum sites. Internship sites include clinics, nursing homes and wellness sites. The MS/DI takes five semesters to complete. The MS degree is also split into thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis topic is determined by the student and their advisor. The thesis requires six credits. Students who choose the non-thesis option must take an additional six hours of nutrition coursework.

Typical online nutrition coursework

• Nutrition Counseling – This course provides an understanding of patient-centered counseling models. Students will practice active listening, motivational interviewing and goal setting to encourage behavior changes.
• Vitamins and Minerals – This course explores various macronutrients and their impact on the body. Students will learn how vitamins and minerals play a role in conditions such as cancer, HIV, bone loss and more.
• Human Nutrition – Explores the fundamentals of macro and micronutrients and how they impact bodily processes.

What to know about becoming a Registered Dietitian in Illinois

To become a credentialed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Illinois a few steps are required:
1. Completion of an ACEND accredited dietetics program
2. A minimum of 1,000 hours of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
3. As of January 1, 2024 a Master’s degree (in any subject)
4. Passage of the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam
5. Apply for licensure in Illinois

The licensure process in Illinois is as followed. Applicants must download the Licensed-Dietitian Nutritionist- Examination/ Acceptance of Examination application. A $100 fee must be submitted along with the completed application. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts and a copy of the CDR registration card are also needed. All documents are sent to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield, Illinois.

The Illinois License must be renewed every two years online at the cost of $100. An additional 75 hours of CPE (continuing professional education) must be completed every 5 years to maintain registration through the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registered).

Organizations to know for nutrition in Illinois

Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAND) is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a not-for-profit professional organization with over 3,000 members. Membership is limited to Registered Dietitians, Dietetic Technicians, Registered and dietetic students in Illinois.

The organization was founded in 1931. Members regularly attend networking events, have access to monthly newsletters and job opportunities, are eligible for awards and scholarship opportunities and complimentary CPE webinars. IAND fosteres a tightknit community of nutrition professionals within the community.

Dietitian career options in Illinois

There are many job opportunities for nutrition professionals in Illinois. Registered Dietitians can work in private practices, health care settings, schools, community organizations and more. In the state of Illinois, RDN’s can earn an average of $34 an hour or a salary of $71,100.

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