Loyola University Chicago

With an outcomes performance management focus

Overview

The Niehoff School of Nursing offers a unique opportunity to complete a master’s degree in dietetics as alternative to or after completion of the Dietetic Internship. The program offers an outcomes performance management focus, preparing professional, registered dietitians to design and implement systems that produce desired health outcomes. Within the context of a Jesuit university, the program promotes ethical decision-making, social justice and advocacy for underserved populations.

The Loyola Dietetic Internship graduated its first class in 1997 and is fully accredited by the American Dietetic Association. Clinical dietetic faculty and preceptors are experts in their fields and hold national certifications in their areas of specialization. Most courses meet in the evening at Loyola's Water Tower Campus on North Michigan Avenue or at the Loyola University Health System campus in Maywood, Ill.

Degree Program

The M.S. in Dietetics builds on the core of the Outcomes Performance Management Certificate Program, which is designed for baccalaureate degree health professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge of the theories, models and methods that are used to improve health care. Students will gain an understanding of national and local perspectives on quality and health care policy issues. They will also acquire the skills to apply various methods and processes of performance improvements. Students will learn to redesign health care processes, use information technology, develop effective health care teams, coordinate care, and enact performance and outcome measurements.

Completion of a basic statistics course is required.

If completed in conjunction with Loyola’s Dietetic Internship, it is anticipated that both the internship and master’s degree can be completed in two to two and a half years. If completed as a registered dietitian, it is anticipated that the master’s could be completed in one to two years.

Curriculum

In order to complete the M.S. in Dietetics, the following courses are required. They include the 12 credits of the Loyola Dietetic Internship. If the student is a registered dietitian, some credits may not be required based on review of the application and professional portfolio materials.  

Core Courses	Semester Hours
Theory and Research in Dietetic Practice (FONU 503)	3
Physical Assessment for Dietitians (GNUR 338)	3
Community Health Concepts (GNUR 436)	3
Ethics for Advanced Practice (CMAN 402)	2
Research for Health Care Professionals (GNUR 450)	3
Required Courses in Outcome Performance Management	Semester Hours
Outcomes Performance Management Theory I (CMAN 439)	3
Outcomes Performance Management Methods (CMAN 440)	3
Advanced Concepts: Health Systems Management (CMAN 468)	3
Management of Professionals in Health Care Settings (CMAN 568)	3
Health Policy (GNUR 461)	3
Fiscal Management in Health Care Organizations (CMAN 533)	3
Required Courses for the Loyola Dietetic Internship	Semester Hours
Orientation to the Internship (FONU 400)	2
Medical Nutrition Therapy in Acute and Long-Term Care (FONU 401)	3
Supervised Practice in Acute and Long-Term Care (FONU 401P)	2
Community Nutrition, Food Service Management and Marketing (FONU 402)	3
Supervised Practice in Community, Management and Marketing (FONU 402P)	2
Electives (select one)	Semester Hours
Obesity in Modern Society (GNUR 403)	3
Health Program Planning and Evaluation (CMAN 434)	3
Marketing in Health Care Organizations (CMAN 438)	3
Methods of Teaching (GNUR 509)	3

In addition to the above coursework, students are required to complete a comprehensive exam in accordance with policies of the Graduate Program Council of the School of Nursing. Students may complete the requirements of the Dietetic Internship and take the Registration Exam for Dietitians before completing the remainder of the M.S. in Dietetics curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree and a certificate of completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics from an accredited school
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in baccalaureate courses
• Acceptance in the Loyola Dietetic Internship as a current or incoming student, or current Registered Dietitian status
• Evidence of completion of a course in statistics prior to admission to the M.S. in Dietetics program

Application Requirements

• $50.00 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for online application)
• A completed application form
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate coursework
• Scores for the GRE (general examination). This is not required if you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in DPD program courses from an accredited program.
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from a professional colleague or supervisor who has completed a master's or higher degree. If the applicant has been admitted to the dietetic internship within the last twelve months, the letters of recommendation that were submitted for dietetic internship application may be used.
• A statement of purpose describing your professional goals and reasons for pursuing an advanced degree.
• Current Registered Dietitian status as demonstrated by documentation from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Dietetic Association.
• Professional portfolio if internship was completed at any program other than Loyola.
• Either a TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. For the TOEFL, a score of at least 280 on the computer-based test or 650 on the written test is required. The minimum score for the new TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test) is 114-115. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 7 is required.
• International applicants must provide a transcript evaluation from the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, a transcript credentialing service for international schools.

Requirements for admission as a non-degree student consist of an application, application fee, statement of purpose, and transcripts.

Contact Information

The application and all supporting documents must be sent to Graduate Enrollment Management at the following address:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: (312) 915-8950
E-mail: GradApp@luc.edu

For more information about the academic program, or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Graduate Dietetic Program
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Loyola University Chicago
Phone: (773) 508-8298
Fax: (773) 508-3241
www.luc.edu/schools/nursing