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Jan 10, 2026
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2025-2026 EIU Graduate Catalog
Nutrition and Dietetics: Coordinated Program
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 Return to: Graduate Degree Programs
Eastern Illinois University Coordinated Program in Dietetics Mission Statement:
The primary mission of the Coordinated Program (CP) in Dietetics at EIU is to provide a graduate program in dietetics which leads to eligibility for the RD/RDN credential that is accessible to students who meet the admission requirements. The CP utilizes multiple pathways to admission, and also provides direct admission to qualified applicants from EIU.
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: Coordinated Program provides students with a focus on nutrition education and research, and includes the 1000+ clock hours supervised practice experience required by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Supervised practice placements are coordinated by the Coordinated Program Director. Completion of a master’s degree as well as the 1000+ clock hours of supervised practice are required to be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.
Accreditation Information:
The MSND: Coordinated Program (CP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 Riverside Place, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-5400
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about licensure per state click here.
Admission Requirements for the Coordinated Program:
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: Coordinated Program includes the following and is completed through MyEIU:
Program Goals:
Goal 1. Program graduates will be competent, graduate-level, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists with the knowledge and skills needed to provide professional services targeted at improving the overall health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through theory-based nutrition education.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of students are expected to complete the CP within 150% (2.5 years) of the program length.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 80% of program graduate survey respondents will agree or strongly agree that the Coordinated Program coursework and supervised practice experiences were beneficial for successful careers in dietetics.
- At least 80% of employers surveyed will indicate satisfaction with EIU Coordinated Program graduates as competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
Goal 2. Program graduates will engage in diverse leadership and professional service opportunities as part of their commitment to lifelong learning.
Objectives:
- One-year post graduation, 50% of graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate they are serving as a preceptor.
- One-year post graduation, 50% of graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate active involvement in at least one professional organization.
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MSND: CP Degree Requirements
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 in 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. Pathways for Admission to the MS Nutrition & Dietetics:
There are three pathways for admission to the MS Nutrition & Dietetics: Traditional Admission Pathway: Students complete a bachelor’s degree, and then apply for admission to the master’s degree. Accelerated Program Pathway: Students apply after they have completed 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, and may take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework while they are undergraduates. See below for more information and admission requirements. 3+2 Pathway to MSND: Students apply in the Fall semester of their junior year for admission to the 3+2 cohort starting the following Fall. Students complete 18 credits of graduate coursework while they are undergraduates. See below for more information and admission requirements. Students enrolled in the BS Nutrition program at EIU are eligible for admission to the MSND through any of the three pathways. EIU students from undergraduate programs other than the BS Nutrition are eligible for admission to the Accelerated Program Pathway or the Traditional Pathway; they are excluded from the 3+2 Pathway. Traditional Admission Pathway to the MSND: Coordinated Program
To be eligible for admission to the MSND: Coordinated Program through the Traditional Admission Pathway, students must meet the following criteria: - Completed bachelor’s degree prior to beginning graduate coursework.
- For applicants with non-DPD verified bachelor’s degrees, completion of all of the following prerequisite courses or equivalents with a grade of C or better prior to beginning graduate coursework is required:
- General Chemistry I & II with lab
- Survey of Organic Chemistry
- Survey of Biochemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II with lab
- Introduction to Statistics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Management
- Personal Nutrition/Introduction to Nutrition
- ServSafe Manager Certification Course
Accelerated Program Pathway to MSND: Coordinated Program
Students admitted to the Accelerated Program Pathway are permitted to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework for shared credit while they are still an undergraduate. In order to earn the master’s degree, students must also enroll in and complete all required elements of the MSND graduate degree program. - 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.
To apply for the Accelerated Program Pathway to the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit the Graduate School’s Accelerated Program Application to the Graduate school. 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. Students in the Accelerated Program Pathway will select up to 12 s.h. from the following shared courses in consultation with their undergraduate academic advisor and the Coordinated Program Director: 3+2 Pathway to MSND: Coordinated Program
The 3+2 Pathway allows admitted students to complete both the BS Nutrition and the MS Nutrition & Dietetics: Coordinated Program within 5 calendar years. Applications to the EIU 3+2 Pathway are accepted in fall of junior year for admission to the following fall’s cohort. Students accepted into the 3+2 Pathway 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 degree requirements for the MSND:CP, including 1000+ clock hours of supervised practice, students will be issued a verification statement which permits them to sit for the RDN credential exam. Supervised practice placements are coordinated by the Coordinated Program Director. Admission Requirements for the 3+2 Pathway: - Currently enrolled in the B.S. Nutrition program at EIU
- Cumulative 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 receivea passing grade of C or higher.
3+2 Pathway Course of Study |
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