MS in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship
Take the next step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Loyola University Chicago offers three pathways to obtaining a degree and/or certificate in Dietetics.
- The combined Master of Science in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship Certificate (MS/DI) is designed for students who possess the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Loyola University Chicago does not currently offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics; you can search for ACEND-accredited programs here.
- The standalone Dietetic Internship Certificate (DI-C) is designed for students who possess the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Loyola University Chicago does not currently offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics; you can search for ACEND-accredited programs here.
- Master's degree in nutrition and dietetics or a closely related field
- The standalone M.S. in Dietetics accepts applications from Registered Dietitians OR students who are enrolled in an ACEND-accredited standalone Dietetic Internship who are seeking to further their studies in the field of nutrition.
Complete an M.S. in Dietetics and a Dietetic Internship in less than two years.
Loyola’s combined Master of Science in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship Certificate (MS/DI) Program, housed within the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, is committed to the development of emerging professional Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who firmly believe that nutrition has a profound importance in promoting human health and quality of life.
The focus of the MS/DI program is to support the development of competent, innovative, entry-level dietetic practice guided by the 2022 Dietetic Internship (DI) accreditation standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The MS/DI requires the completion of 37 graduate credits, incorporating 1,020 hours of supervised practice into advanced coursework in the areas of medical nutrition therapy, behavioral change, health promotion, food service management, research, counseling and education, communications, and public health nutrition. In addition to coursework and supervised practice, students will identify a faculty member with whom they will work closely to complete their comprehensive exam research paper.
All students have the opportunity to customize their degree by identifying a focus area and selecting three courses from other graduate programs within the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. Students will work with the Program Director during their first year to determine a focus area, such as public health, exercise science, healthcare administration, health informatics and data science, or health entrepreneurship, which will complement their degree in Dietetics and help them jumpstart their career upon completing the program.
Most students complete the MS/DI in approximately two academic years (21 months), including a summer session between the first and second academic years. The MS/DI program follows the Loyola academic calendar and typically starts the last week in August.
Our Commitment to You
Upon completion of the combined M.S. in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship or standalone Dietetic Internship at Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and become licensed as a dietitian.
KNOWLEDGE
Loyola Dietetics is committed to the development of emerging professional Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who firmly believe that nutrition has a profound importance in promoting human health and quality of life. The focus of learning activities is to strengthen the intern's knowledge requirements, and support the development of competence and skills guided by accreditation standards to meet program goals and learning outcomes through constructive and supportive supervised practice.
SKILLS
Interns will become competent in the application of theoretical education, adjust to the reality of existing practice environments, and develop interpersonal skills with other professionals, workers, and clients. Competent practice is defined not only as the application of knowledge in nutrition, food, and related areas, but also as the development and use of skills in leadership, communication, and management.
PROFESSIONAL VALUES
Throughout the internship, emphasis is placed on the conviction that the competent and ethical practice of dietetics is infused with service to God and fellow humans. At Loyola University Chicago, Jesuit values such as Cura Personalis, Magis, and Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam are integral to shaping the educational experience. Cura Personalis emphasizes caring for each individual’s holistic well-being, while Magis inspires a relentless pursuit of excellence for the greater good. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam calls for actions that glorify a higher purpose.
TO BECOME A REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST
To become eligible for the Registered Dietitian Examination administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the following criteria must be completed:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or an equivalent foreign degree)
- Completion of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Program
- Completion of a master's degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or an equivalent foreign degree)
- Completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI)
Additional licensure may be required by state governments. In Illinois, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist credentials are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. You can read more about the requirements for Illinois credentialing here.
PROFESSIONAL DIETETIC PRACTICE
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) must complete recertification requirements on a regular basis in order to maintain their credentials. Please visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for more information.
Curriculum
For additional questions regarding the curriculum, please contact Kevin Pietro, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LDN, Director, Dietetics Education Programs.
INTERNSHIP
TWO OPTIONS FOR COMPLETION
The Loyola Dietetic Internship can be completed as a standalone certificate (DI-C) or as part of a combination with the M.S. in Dietetics (MS/DI). Both tracks meet ACEND standards for dietetic internships.
| MS/DI | DI-C | |
|---|---|---|
| Anticipated program length | 21 months: fall, spring, summer, fall, spring | 12 months: fall, spring, summer |
| Credits | 37 | 14 |
| Supervised practice hours | 1,020 | 1,020 |
| Supervised practice timeline | Begins after completing the majority of graduate work, typically during the summer semester | Begins during the first semester of the internship, typically the fall |
| Post-completion documents | Students receive an ACEND verification statement of DI completion and a Master of Science in Dietetics | Students receive an ACEND verification statement of DI completion |
SUMMARY OF GRADUATE COURSEWORK
| MS/DI | DI-C |
|---|---|
|
FONU 400 (1 credit) Role Development in Dietetic Practice |
FONU 400 (1 credit) Role Development in Dietetic Practice |
|
FONU 410 (2 credits) Physical Assessment for Dietitians |
FONU 420 (1 credit) Transition to Supervised Practice in the Dietetic Internship |
|
FONU 420 (1 credit) Transition to Supervised Practice in the Dietetic Internship |
FONU 422 (3 credits) Medical Nutrition Therapy Theory |
|
FONU 422 (3 credits) Medical Nutrition Therapy Theory |
FONU 423 (2 credits) Supervised Practice in MNT and Dialysis MNT |
|
FONU 423 (2 credits) Supervised Practice in MNT and Dialysis MNT |
FONU 424 (3 credits) Public Health Nutrition and Research Theory |
|
FONU 424 (3 credits) Public Health Nutrition and Research Theory |
FONU 425 (2 credits) Supervised Practice in PH Nutrition, Research |
|
FONU 425 (2 credits) Supervised Practice in PH Nutrition, Research |
FONU 426 (1 credit) Food Management Theory |
|
FONU 426 (1 credit) Food Management Theory |
FONU 427 (1 credit) Supervised Practice in Food Management and Long-Term Care |
|
FONU 427 (1 credit) Supervised Practice in Food Management and Long-Term Care |
|
|
FONU 501 (3 credits) The Writing Process for Nutrition and Dietetics |
|
|
FONU 503 (3 credits) Theory and Research in Dietetic Practice |
|
|
FONU 507 (3 credits) Behavior Change for Health Promotion |
|
|
RMTD 404 (3 credits) Introduction to Educational Statistics |
|
| Elective (3 credits) | |
| Elective (3 credits) | |
| Elective (3 credits) |
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
| MS/DI | DI-C |
|---|---|
| Successful completion of didactic coursework | Successful completion of didactic coursework |
| Successful completion of 1,020 supervised practice hours | Successful completion of 1,020 supervised practice hours |
| Comprehensive Exam |
Why Dietetics at Loyola University Chicago?
The MS/DI and DI-C programs were founded on the Jesuit principles of values-based leadership, commitment to excellence, and service that promotes justice. Loyola University Chicago is not just located within Chicago; it is an integral part of the city. Students in the MS/DI and DI-C programs are empowered to use the knowledge and skills that they gain to drive change in their local communities. The Ignatian motto of Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person, is central to the program’s mission. The emphasis on Cura Personalis challenges students to explore how their growing professional capabilities take on new meaning when practiced across the beautifully diverse spectrum of partner agencies in the Chicagoland area.
The thriving Chicagoland area offers a robust array of partner agencies for supervised practice, including both traditional and innovative options. We have established relationships with over 50 external agencies, including academic medical centers, K-12 schools, private practices, start-ups, corporate wellness programs, community clinics, and not-for-profit organizations.
Additionally, the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is pleased to offer school-specific scholarships and graduate student opportunities, including paid fellowships and assistantships working with civically responsible staff and world-class faculty. For further information about scholarships and graduate student opportunities, please contact Ezra Imes, the Dietetics Graduate Coordinator, at eimes@luc.edu.
You can visit the LUC Dietetics Instagram page to learn more about featured news, events, and milestones.
Loyola Dietetic Internship Application Process
Applications to Loyola's MS/DI program and DI-C program are accepted directly through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS), which can be accessed here.
Completed DICAS applications from eligible candidates must include:
- Unofficial transcript- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- Verification Statement from either an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education Program (FDE)
- Three letters of recommendation (including both academic and professional references)
- Personal statement that clearly articulates your interest in joining this program
Accreditation
The Loyola University Chicago Dietetic Internship (LDI) is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) an agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Upon successful completion of all LDI program requirements (supervised practice, didactic, seminars and others based on program track), students receive an ACEND verification statement and are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Information about accreditation status can be obtained from:
Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600 ext 5400 or education@eatright.org
Take the next step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Loyola University Chicago offers three pathways to obtaining a degree and/or certificate in Dietetics.
- The combined Master of Science in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship Certificate (MS/DI) is designed for students who possess the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Loyola University Chicago does not currently offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics; you can search for ACEND-accredited programs here.
- The standalone Dietetic Internship Certificate (DI-C) is designed for students who possess the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Loyola University Chicago does not currently offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics; you can search for ACEND-accredited programs here.
- Master's degree in nutrition and dietetics or a closely related field
- The standalone M.S. in Dietetics accepts applications from Registered Dietitians OR students who are enrolled in an ACEND-accredited standalone Dietetic Internship who are seeking to further their studies in the field of nutrition.
Complete an M.S. in Dietetics and a Dietetic Internship in less than two years.
Loyola’s combined Master of Science in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship Certificate (MS/DI) Program, housed within the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, is committed to the development of emerging professional Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who firmly believe that nutrition has a profound importance in promoting human health and quality of life.
The focus of the MS/DI program is to support the development of competent, innovative, entry-level dietetic practice guided by the 2022 Dietetic Internship (DI) accreditation standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The MS/DI requires the completion of 37 graduate credits, incorporating 1,020 hours of supervised practice into advanced coursework in the areas of medical nutrition therapy, behavioral change, health promotion, food service management, research, counseling and education, communications, and public health nutrition. In addition to coursework and supervised practice, students will identify a faculty member with whom they will work closely to complete their comprehensive exam research paper.
All students have the opportunity to customize their degree by identifying a focus area and selecting three courses from other graduate programs within the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. Students will work with the Program Director during their first year to determine a focus area, such as public health, exercise science, healthcare administration, health informatics and data science, or health entrepreneurship, which will complement their degree in Dietetics and help them jumpstart their career upon completing the program.
Most students complete the MS/DI in approximately two academic years (21 months), including a summer session between the first and second academic years. The MS/DI program follows the Loyola academic calendar and typically starts the last week in August.
Our Commitment to You
Upon completion of the combined M.S. in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship or standalone Dietetic Internship at Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and become licensed as a dietitian.
Curriculum
For additional questions regarding the curriculum, please contact Kevin Pietro, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LDN, Director, Dietetics Education Programs.
Why Dietetics at Loyola University Chicago?
The MS/DI and DI-C programs were founded on the Jesuit principles of values-based leadership, commitment to excellence, and service that promotes justice. Loyola University Chicago is not just located within Chicago; it is an integral part of the city. Students in the MS/DI and DI-C programs are empowered to use the knowledge and skills that they gain to drive change in their local communities. The Ignatian motto of Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person, is central to the program’s mission. The emphasis on Cura Personalis challenges students to explore how their growing professional capabilities take on new meaning when practiced across the beautifully diverse spectrum of partner agencies in the Chicagoland area.
The thriving Chicagoland area offers a robust array of partner agencies for supervised practice, including both traditional and innovative options. We have established relationships with over 50 external agencies, including academic medical centers, K-12 schools, private practices, start-ups, corporate wellness programs, community clinics, and not-for-profit organizations.
Additionally, the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is pleased to offer school-specific scholarships and graduate student opportunities, including paid fellowships and assistantships working with civically responsible staff and world-class faculty. For further information about scholarships and graduate student opportunities, please contact Ezra Imes, the Dietetics Graduate Coordinator, at eimes@luc.edu.
You can visit the LUC Dietetics Instagram page to learn more about featured news, events, and milestones.
Loyola Dietetic Internship Application Process
Applications to Loyola's MS/DI program and DI-C program are accepted directly through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS), which can be accessed here.
Completed DICAS applications from eligible candidates must include:
- Unofficial transcript- Undergraduate degree (preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics with a cumulative GPA above 3.0) from an accredited institution with the expected completion date before the start of the Fall semester.
- Verification Statement from either an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) OR a Foreign Dietitian Education Program (FDE)
- Three letters of recommendation (including both academic and professional references)
- Personal statement that clearly articulates your interest in joining this program
Tuition and Fees
The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.
Accreditation
The Loyola University Chicago Dietetic Internship (LDI) is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) an agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Upon successful completion of all LDI program requirements (supervised practice, didactic, seminars and others based on program track), students receive an ACEND verification statement and are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Information about accreditation status can be obtained from:
Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600 ext 5400 or education@eatright.org