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Family and Consumer Sciences

Sequence of Courses

The following criteria must be met to earn a Verification Statement and sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

  • Complete 1000 hours of supervised practice
  • Meet the Core Competencies of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
  • Complete the Master's degree requirements
    • Earn a minimum Master's Degree at Illinois State University, or;
    • Provide proof (official transcript) of earned degree from another institution

For those seeking to combine both the dietetic internship and degree at Illinois State, we offer two tailored course plans. You can choose to start your graduate coursework first, followed by the distance dietetic internship, or opt for a concurrent approach, completing both in 12 months. For those who have a graduate degree or plan to earn a graduate degree from another institution, we offer a standalone dietetic internship certificate program (pathway 3 below). Students will designate their preferred pathway on their DICAS application. 

If you do not have a graduate degree upon admission to our program, you will need to complete your graduate degree within three months of completing the distance dietetic internship at Illinois State. Students following the Illinois State MS in Nutrition course plans meet this criteria.

If you are not completing your graduate degree at ISU, you will need to provide written documentation from your graduate advisor to ensure your course plans align with our goals for student success and program completion. 

Our distance dietetic internship is delivered in a fully-remote setting. To be successful in the online environment, you will need to have a basic working knowledge of and access to computers, the internet, and various software programs. Technical skills required include:

  • Ability to access and navigate the internet, our course management system 
  • Create, save, and submit files
  • Download and install software

Technical requirements include:

  • Computer that can be used for extended periods of time
  • Reliable broadband internet access

 

Resources

Pathway 1. Distance Internship/Certificate Program concurrent with Online Master of Science in Nutrition

Program Completion: 12 Months-This pathway is designed for students to complete their distance dietetic certificate program and graduate degree coursework at the same time.

  • Semester 1 (Summer)

    *Note: The summer semester could be completed before or after the internship year.

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 480 Leadership in Dietetics - 3 credits
    • FCS 415 Sports Nutrition - 3 credits

  • Semester 2 (Fall)

    Twelve (12) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 481 Graduate Seminar in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 498 Supervised Practice - 3 credits - (suggested food service and community rotations, 32 hours/week)
    • FCS 420 Advanced Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 497 Research Methods - 3 credits

  • Semester 3 (Spring)

    Twelve (12) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 482 Graduate Seminar II in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 498 Supervised Practice - 3 credits - (suggested clinical rotations, 32 hours/week)
    • FCS 474 Advanced Nutrition Support - 3 credits
    • FCS 445 Statistical Methods - 3 credits

Pathway 2. Distance Internship/Certificate Program following Online Master of Science in Nutrition 

Program Completion: 21 Months -This pathway allows the student to complete 18 credit hours of graduate degree course work (fall/spring/summer) and then complete the distance internship certificate program.

  • Semester 1 (Fall)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 420 Advanced Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 497 Research Methods - 3 credits

  • Semester 2 (Spring)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 474 Advanced Nutrition Support - 3 credits
    • FCS 445 Statistical Methods - 3 credits

  • Semester 3 (Summer)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 480 Leadership in Dietetics - 3 credits
    • FCS 415 Sports Nutrition - 3 credits

  • Semester 4 (Fall)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 481 Graduate Seminar in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 498 Supervised Practice - 3 credits (suggested food service and community rotations, 32 hours/week)

  • Semester 5 (Spring)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 482 Graduate Seminar in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits 
    • FCS 498 Supervised Practice - 3 credits (suggested clinical rotations, 32 hours/week)

Pathway 3. Distance Internship/Certificate Program

Program Completion: 9 Months-This pathway is designed for individuals who already have or are working on their graduate degree. Our program recommends that students enrolled in external graduate credit limit their enrollment to a maximum of 6 hours per semester at the non-DI institution. At the latest, students must complete their graduate degree the summer semester (approximately 3 months) following the distance dietetic internship. 

  • Semester 1 (Fall)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 481 Graduate Seminar in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 498 Supervised Practice - 3 credits - (suggested food service and community rotations)

  • Semester 2 (Spring)

    Six (6) credit hours of graduate course work:

    • FCS 482 Graduate Seminar in Food and Nutrition - 3 credits
    • FCS 498 Supervise Practice - 3 credits - (suggested clinical rotations)