What to Expect in the Nutrition Coordinated Program

Thinking about joining our program? Here's what you can expect at UIC

Goals and objectives of the Coordinated Program can be found here. We assume that all our students will choose the coursework-only option. If you’re considering doing a project or thesis, make sure you reach out to a faculty member to see if they’re willing to act as your advisor.

Our program must be completed on a full-time, in-person basis. This usually takes two and a half to three years. (If you choose to do a project or thesis, you’ll likely take longer.)

We require a minimum of 36 credits at the 400 or 500 level. You must take at least 9 hours of 500 level HN courses, excluding project and thesis courses. For our MS Coordinated Program Handbook, click here.

There are two pathways to the Master’s Coordinated Program for undergraduate students in UIC’s Nutrition Science Program. For more details on these pathways for undergraduate students, click here.

Program data regarding goals and objectives of our programs and RD exam pass results are available upon request from the program director.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023.

For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Master’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics at UIC are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

Accreditation

The UIC coordinated program and the nutrition science program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
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UIC’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) ensures the rights of college students with disabilities to have full and equal access to their college experience. DRC staff members do so by working one-on-one with students to identify barriers in the campus environment and to create a plan of reasonable accommodations that removes those barriers. Any student with a documented disability can register with the DRC. DRC services are completely free and do not require U.S. citizenship or a Social Security Number.

All prospective students are asked to review the Technical Standards. The Technical Standards describe the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of MS Coordinated Program curriculum and provide effective and safe health care. Students matriculating into the MS Coordinated Program and seeking reasonable accommodations due to a disability or wanting to explore the accommodation options at UIC are asked to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in advance of the Fall 1 semester. To set up or explore accommodations, complete the steps described on the DRC website: https://drc.uic.edu/students-2/new-to-drc/. The steps involve completing the online Student Registration Form and calling the DRC at (312) 413-2183 to schedule an intake appointment.

COVID-19 Considerations
The nutrition programs at UIC understand the hardships that the COVID-19 situation is placing on students. Please refer to the statements below, which apply to new (Fall 2021) MS/CP students, and current and prospective nutrition science program students.

Online courses and labs will be accepted for prerequisites temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please contact Shayna Oshita for any questions or concerns regarding the program requirements.

Students that have been accepted into the MS/CP for Fall 2021 and those applying to the MS/CP for Fall 2022 will need to maintain a grade for the prerequisite courses per the policy of requiring a C or higher in these classes.

This is an example of a typical program of study. Your advisor will work with you to design a schedule that will ensure you complete all of the required courses.

Each semester’s course work builds upon that of the previous semester, so all of our courses must be completed in the order in which they’re listed in this sample. That will enable you to reach the supervised practice portion at the planned time.

Courses

HN 100Introduction to Nutrition: New Student Seminar2 hours
HN 302Nutritional Assessment3 hours
HN 202Culture and Food2 hours
HN 308Nutrition Science I3 hours
HN 318Genetic, Molecular, and Cellular Mechanisms of Chronic Disease3 hours
HN 440The Research Process3 hours

Courses

HN 306Nutrition Education3 hours
HN 309Nutrition Science II3 hours
HN 330Quantity Food Production3 hours
HN 313Intro to Community Nutrition3 hours
400-500 level HN elective3 hours

Does this all seem like a heavy course load? It is.

What’s here is the fastest way to complete the program, but we strong encourage you to consider going into the spring of your third year to ease the pressure. Plan for that now and spread your courses out!

Courses

HN 300Food Science3 hours
HN 311Nutrition During the Life Cycle3 hours
HN 320Clinical Nutrition I3 hours
HN 332Food Service Management2 hours
HN 500 level elective3 hours

Courses

HN 455Supervised Practice II2 hours
HN 420Clinical Nutrition II3 hours
HN 423Nutrition Counseling3 hours
HN 500 level elective3 hours

Courses

HN 455Supervised Practice II5 hours

Courses

HN 455Supervised Practice II8 hours
HN 500 level elective3 hours

Verification

Congratulations! Once you complete your coursework and supervised practice this semester, you’ll be issued a verification statement. That confers your eligibility to take the registration exam to become a registered dietitian.

Career information

Explore dietitian careers with this video from the PA Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.