Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 EIU Graduate Catalog

Nutrition and Dietetics

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The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics offers two options: Coordinated Program and Nutrition Education. While both programs of study provide students with a focus on nutrition education and research, the Coordinated Program Option includes the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required 1000 hour clincial placement that will allow the successful student to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. Internship placements are coordinated by the Dietetics Program Coordinator for students in both delivery options.

Students enrolled in the BS Nutrition program at EIU are eligible to apply for admission to the 3+2 Program in Nutrition & Dietetics which provides a second pathway to completing the MS Nutrition & Dietetics: Coordinated Program. Applications to the EIU 3+2 Program in Nutrition & Dietetics are accepted in spring of junior year for admission in the fall of the senior year. Students accepted into the 3+2 Program are direct admitted to the MSND: Coordinated Program, and are not required to participate in the DICAS match process. Students will complete their remaining undergraduate courses along with 18 credits of graduate course work during their senior year; the 18 credits of graduate course work will also count toward completion of their undergraduate degree. Upon completion of all coursework, students will be issued a verification statement which permits them to enroll in their mandatory 1000 clock hour clinical placement. Internship placements are coordinated by the Dietetics Program Coordinator.


Admission Requirements for the Coordinated Program:
• Currently enrolled in the B.S. Nutrition program at EIU
• Cummulative EIU GPA of 3.00/4.00
• Completion of all required NTR course work with a grade of C or better
• A failed prerequisite course (D, F, NF) may not be repeated more than once to receive a passing grade of C or higher.

 

Coordinated Program Course of Study

Dietetic Internship Option

Program Mission:  The MSND: Dietetic Internship Option with its Nutrition Education Emphasis integrates research- and theory-driven nutrition education through high-impact supervised practice experiences to prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to enter the diverse workforce and devote their careers to empowering individuals, families and communities through lifelong learning and professional engagement and service. (https://www.eiu.edu/dieteticsgrad/mission-goals-outcomes.php)

The Dietetic Internship is granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-5400.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for the MSND: Dietetic Internship Option, applicants must all of the requirements to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Program”).

A complete Graduate School application packet for the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics is completed online through MyEIU and includes the following: 

Personal Statement that addresses the following:

  • Explain how the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: Dietetic Internship Option will assist you in achieving your career goals

Three recent letters of recommendation:

  • At least one recommendation must address your academic performance.
  • Letters of recommendation should discuss the applicant’s areas of strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
    • Ability to interact and work effectively with others
    • Critical thinking skills and ability
    • Communication Skills, including both written and oral skills as well as with peers and superiors
    • Professionalism
    • Work Ethic

Minimum GPA as required by the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”)

Additionally, applicants must be matched with EIU’s Dietetic Internship through the D & D Digital Match process. All Dietetic Internship materials must be submitted through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) by February 15 for the spring match and September 25 for the fall match. A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement must be submitted to the DI Coordinator before the Dietetic Internship sections can be taken.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications to the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved.  The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the graduate coordinator.

Degree Requirements

The MSND: Dietetic Internship Option requires 36 semester hours. The 1200 hour, full-time dietetic internship will be completed in courses NTR 5981 through NTR 5984, and must be completed within 45 weeks. All hours will be completed in the United States.

 

Core Courses

Dietetic Internship Core 30 semester hours

Elective Courses

Electives: 3 semester hours, to be selected in consultation with Graduate Advisor

Nutrition Education Option

Program Mission: The MS in Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Education Option is designed to provide students with advanced theory and application of nutrition education research and practice. The MSND: Nutrition Education Option may be completed online or on campus.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).

A complete graduate school admission packet for the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics includes the following and is completed through MyEIU:

Personal Statement that addresses the following:

  • Explain how the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Education Option will assist you in achieving your career goals

 

Three recent letters of recommendation:

  • At least one recommendation must address your academic performance.
  • Letters of recommendation should discuss the applicant’s areas of strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
    • Ability to interact and work effectively with others
    • Critical thinking skills and ability
    • Communication Skills, including both written and oral skills as well as with peers and superiors
    • Professionalism
    • Work Ethic

Minimum GPA as required by the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”)

 

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications to the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved.  The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the graduate coordinator.

Degree Requirements

The MSND: Nutrition Education Option requires 33 semester hours. 

Electives

Electives: 11 semester hours, to be selected in consultation with Graduate Advisor.

Accelerated

Admission to the accelerated MS in Nutrition and Dietetics requires the following:
• Completion of a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit
• Completion of NTR 2100 with a grade of B or better.
• Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25.
• Approval of the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate School.


All students seeking admission to the Accelerated MS in Nutrition & Dietetics are initially admitted to the Nutrition Education Option. Students wishing to be admitted to the Dietetic Internship option in order to be eligible to become a Registered/Licensed Dietetic Nutritionist must then complete the DICAS matching process. Once approved and matched by DICAS, students will be moved from the Nutrition Education option to the Dietetic Internship option.

To apply for the Accelerated Program MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit the Graduate School’s Accelerated Program Application to the Graduate school.

MSND: Dietetic Internship Option

Shared Credit Course Options: Once approved for the program, students may select from the following courses for a total of 12 credit hours of shared credit. Please note that stated prerequisites will need to be completed before enrolling in the courses. Students will meet with their undergraduate Academic Advisor each semester to select their shared courses, and the Academic Advisor will submit the Shared Course form for approval to the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate School.

MSND: Nutrition Education

Students pursuing the MSND: Nutrition Education Option will select up to 12 s.h. from the following shared courses. All will count as electives in the undergraduate program unless otherwise noted.

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