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Family and Consumer Sciences

Sequence of Courses

In order to be eligible to receive your Verification Statement and sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians, you must meet the Core Competencies of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and complete the Master's degree requirements.

 Illinois State offers 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.  Additionally, we continue to offer a standalone dietetic internship certificate program for students with an existing graduate degree (pathway 3 below). Students will designate their preferred pathway on their DICAS application. 

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.

  • 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)