What to Expect
Class list for RDN and Nutrition Science Pre-Health professions tracks
Thinking about joining our program? Find out what you can expect as a student at UIC.
Mission of the Didactic in Dietetics Program (DPD)
The DPD mission is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to be confident and competent in their dietetic internship, to communicate and collaborate for human-centered care, and to have the preparation to advance health equity across diverse communities. Graduates of the DPD will be lifelong learners who promote science-based practice to advance the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Goal #1: The UIC DPD will provide academic preparation which supports successful placement into a supervised practice program, as well as subsequent success on passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Goal #2: The UIC DPD will prepare graduates with the nutritional knowledge, communication, and collaboration skills necessary to serve diverse and urban underserved communities.
Goal #3: The UIC DPD will integrate scientific research into the curriculum to advance and disseminate knowledge related to nutrition.
*Proposed mission statement December 2024
Links Heading link
Year 1 Heading link
Explore semester schedules — including courses, activities and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below.
Fall semester
Fall semester
Opportunities
Volunteer at the UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
Join the Student Nutrition Association at UIC and connect with them on Instagram and Facebook
Nutrition science objectives
- 30% of alumni who received a dietetic internship participate or work in community nutrition setting in an underserved setting within 2.5 years of graduation.
- 50% of graduates will report participation in food or nutrition related community engagement activities in an underserved area during their time as a DPD student at UIC.
- 90% of students will respond that the program more than adequately prepared them with a strong scientific foundation in the field of nutrition/dietetic.
- All clinical and assessment nutrition courses (HN 302, HN 311, HN 320, HN 420) will include at least two assignments that utilize the Nutrition Care Manual.
- >40% of didactic program alumni will obtain clinical nutrition position within 6 months of completing an accredited internship.
- Annual food and nutrition domain specific scores on the registration exam will exceed the national average.
- At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 5 years (150% of planned program length).
- At least 80% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
- 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%.
- Over five years, >80% of dietetic internship directors who respond to our survey will report that the UIC intern was either thoroughly prepared (rating=4) or mostly prepared (rating=3) with an appreciation for the communication skills necessary to work with diverse populations.
Program Data is available upon request. Please contact Kirsten Straughan for more information.
Year 2 Heading link
Explore the each semester schedule — including courses, activities, and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below.
Fall semester
Fall semester
Opportunities
Volunteer at the UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
Join the Student Nutrition Association at UIC and connect with them on Instagram and Facebook
Year 3 Heading link
Explore the each semester schedule — including courses, activities, and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below.
Fall semester
Fall semester
Opportunities
Participate in research with nutrition faculty to explore topics such as:
- Intermittent fasting for weight loss, weight maintenance and cardio-protection in obese adults
- Social, cultural and environmental determinants of dietary behaviors and diet-related diseases in low-income and minority populations
- Understanding complex diet-disease relationships through the use of epidemiological, clinical, social, behavioral and molecular tools and assessments
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of metabolic liver diseases
Volunteer in sports nutrition experiential learning opportunities with the UIC Flames! Provide nutrition education, cooking classes and grocery store tours to our Division I athletes.
Volunteer at the UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
Join the Student Nutrition Association at UIC and connect with them on Instagram and Facebook
Year 4 Heading link
Explore the each semester schedule — including courses, activities, and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below.
Fall semester
Fall semester
Opportunities
Apply to:
Phyllis and Stan Bowen Scholarship provides a financial award to an undergraduate Nutrition Student in the first part of their academic training. Considerations include financial need and an academic track record of excellence.
Kris and Savitri Kamath Scholarship provides financial awards to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Nutrition upon their graduation. Considerations include a high level of academic performance, demonstrated leadership skills and demonstrated service to the community.
Participate in research with nutrition faculty to explore topics such as:
Intermittent fasting for weight loss, weight maintenance and cardio-protection in obese adults
Social, cultural and environmental determinants of dietary behaviors and diet-related diseases in low-income and minority populations
Understanding complex diet-disease relationships through the use of epidemiological, clinical, social, behavioral and molecular tools and assessments
Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of metabolic liver diseases
Volunteer in sports nutrition experiential learning opportunities with the UIC Flames! Provide nutrition education, cooking classes and grocery store tours to our Division I athletes.
Volunteer at the UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
Join the Student Nutrition Association at UIC and connect with them on Instagram and Facebook