Program Overview

Introduction to the Dietetics Program

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 an undergraduate degree, preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics, with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 from an accredited institution. A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is also required.

Program Requirements

The standalone Dietetic Internship Certificate (DI-C) is designed for students who possess an undergraduate degree, preferably in nutrition and/or dietetics, with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 from an accredited institution. A Verification Statement from either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is also required. Additionally, a Master's degree in nutrition and dietetics or a closely related field is accepted for the standalone M.S. in Dietetics.

Admission Criteria

• 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 a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
• For the standalone M.S. in Dietetics, a Master's degree in nutrition and dietetics or a closely related field is required.

Program Structure

The MS/DI program 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
• 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.

Customization Options

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. Focus areas include:

• Public health
• Exercise science
• Healthcare administration
• Health informatics and data science
• Health entrepreneurship

Program Duration and Schedule

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.

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, students receive an ACEND verification statement and are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Commitment to Students

Upon completion of the combined M.S. in Dietetics + Dietetic Internship or standalone Dietetic Internship at Loyola, students will possess the knowledge, skills, and professional values to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and become licensed as a dietitian.

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 an integral part of the city, and students in the MS/DI and DI-C programs are empowered to use the knowledge and skills 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.

Partnerships and Opportunities

The thriving Chicagoland area offers a robust array of partner agencies for supervised practice, including both traditional and innovative options. Loyola has 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. The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health offers school-specific scholarships and graduate student opportunities, including paid fellowships and assistantships working with civically responsible staff and world-class faculty.