Career Outlook

Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 11% through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. More dietitians will be needed to care for an aging population and people with various medical conditions.

Dietitians and nutritionists work in many settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, cafeterias, and for state and local governments.

Entry-level and advanced positions include:

• Food scientists
• Health coach
• Food auditor
• Sports nutritionist
• Nutritional therapist
• Holistic nutritionist
• and more

Opportunities  

Immaculata’s Nutrition and Dietetics major includes a dietetic internship and offers specialized courses in:

• medical nutrition therapy
• counseling
• education
• community nutrition
• research
• food service management

The didactic program in dietetics (DPD) contains a significant amount of experiential learning. Students graduate with a minimum of 150 hours covering a variety of experiences in clinical, community, and food service nutrition.

Students who major in nutrition and dietetics at Immaculata are also members in the Student Dietetic Association that offers different clubs and numerous activities to provide students with opportunities to socialize and build professional and leadership skills.

Program Delivery

Many courses in the program are offered face-to-face, hybrid and online and there are some evening courses available.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree requires 126 credits that you can finish in eight semesters. There is a required year-long internship after completing the undergraduate degree. After completing the internship, students are eligible to take the national registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).  

Optional 3+2 B.S. and M.S. Program

Immaculata offers a 3+2 B.S. and M.S. program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s in just three years and enter a 2-year IU graduate nutrition program. Students in the 3+2 program take courses year-round and must earn at least a C in chemistry and biology courses, a B- in foods and nutrition courses, and a 3.0 GPA. Once a student completes the undergraduate degree, they are guaranteed acceptance into Immaculata’s M.S. in Nutrition Education and Counseling. Alternatively, they may apply for the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition with Dietetic Internship, which provides the academic preparation and supervised practice necessary to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Dietetics Bridge Program

If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, or if you have a non-accredited nutrition degree, you can enroll in Immaculata’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) bridge program. This accredited program—which is a maximum of 68 credits, depending on your previous coursework—makes you eligible to receive the DPD Verification Statement that is required to apply for a dietetic internship or to take the exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Honor Society

Nutrition and dietetics majors who have a 3.0 GPA or higher can join Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honor society for undergraduates studying family and consumer sciences, fashion merchandising and nutrition-dietetics.

Accreditation

Immaculata University’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Program Costs

Tuition per credit is $465.
Various types of financing options are available to assist students. For further information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 484-323-3028, or email finaid@immaculata.edu.

Degree Options

Immaculata also offers a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition or Master of Science in Nutrition Education and Counseling. The Nutrition minor (17 credits) is designed to provide students with applicable and relevant nutrition information and practices to use in daily life.

Curriculum

Completion Of 126 Credits

You must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.6 and earn a minimum grade of B- in all FNU courses to graduate and receive the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement. This document is required to apply for a dietetic internship to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or to be eligible to take the exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). If you do not meet the minimum overall GPA of 2.6, and/or do not meet the minimum grade requirement of B- in all FNU courses, you may still graduate but will not earn a DPD Verification Statement.

Liberal Arts Core 36 Credits (6 Fulfilled By Major)

• Composition (Writing) 6 credits
• Natural & Physical World (Lab Science) 3 credits satisfied by major 3 credits
• Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics) 3 credits satisfied by major 3 credits
• Human Creativity (Art, Literature, Music) 3 credits
• Social Consciousness (Sociology, Psychology, Economics) 3 credits
• Historical Consciousness (History) 3 credits
• Global Society (Foreign Language/Culture) 3 credits
• Pursuit of Faith (Religion, Theology) 6 credits
• Pursuit of Wisdom (Philosophy) 6 credits

Major Courses 87 Credits

• Food Fundamentals 3 credits
• Introduction to Dietetics Profession 1 credit
• Normal Nutrition 3 credits
• Nutrition and Culture 3 credits
• Lifecycle Nutrition 2 credits
• Advanced Nutrition I 3 credits
• Experimental Foods 3 credits
• Community Nutrition 3 credits
• Advanced Nutrition II 3 credits
• Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3 credits
• Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3 credits
• Strategies Teaching Nutritional Concepts 3 credits
• Foodservice Operations 3 credits
• Foodservice Management 3 credits
• Foodservice Experience 1 credit
• Nutrition Counseling 3 credits
• Nutrition Practicum 3 credits
• Nutrition Seminar 3 credits
• Microbiology for Food Science 3 credits
• Required FNU Elective 3 credits
• Human Genetics 3 credits
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 credits
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 credits
• Statistics 3 credits
• Basic College Chemistry I 3 credits
• Basic College Chemistry II 3 credits
• Introductory Organic Chemistry 3 credits
• Introductory Biochemistry 3 credits
• Principles of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, or Economics 3 credits
• Foundations in Psychology, Lifespan Development, or Principles of Sociology 3 credits

Electives 12 Credits

Total 126 Credits

You can apply to Immaculata’s adult professional programs in four simple steps. If you have questions, please contact us via capsadmissions@immaculata.edu or by phone at 484-323-3060.