Students in the B.S. nutrition, dietetics, and hospitality administration major study all aspects of nutrition, foods, and hospitality. The hospitality administration emphasis prepares students for careers in foodservice and lodging management. The nutrition and dietetics emphasis prepares students for careers in community nutrition and food service management, as well as dietetic internships and meets the American Dietetic Association's didactic requirements. Graduates of the nutrition and dietetics emphasis may apply for an internship to become Registered Dietitians.
NIU has been preparing professionals in dietetics, nutrition, and food systems since the turn of the century. To meet the need of a fast growth industry, the food systems emphasis has been expanded into a hospitality emphasis beginning in 2001. As a graduate of the major you would join a large network of alumni across the region and the nation. Among the features these alumni report as especially valuable are the following:
The didactic program in dietetics at Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040.
This emphasis provides basic preparation for fulfillment of the baccalaureate requirements for careers in hospitality administration, or for graduate studies in these areas. Majors in this emphasis receive practical experience in a student operated dining facility, in the Residence Hall Dining Services where several thousand meals are served daily, and in a variety of other lodging operations used as internship/independent study sites.
The emphasis in Hospitality Administration requires 78-80 semester hours including courses in food service, lodging operations and management, as well as other areas. The undergraduate catalog lists the requirements within and outside the school
Majors are encouraged to consider completion of a minor in business administration.
Please consult the current Undergraduate Catalog for complete information about the Dietetics, Nutrition, and Hospitality Administration.
This emphasis provides basic preparation for fulfillment of the baccalaureate requirements for careers in community nutrition programs, dietetics, or for graduate studies in these areas. Graduates with this emphasis may satisfy the experience requirement for registry by completing a dietetic internship. These programs are offered by various institutions across the country.
The emphasis in Nutrition and Dietetics requires 74-75 semester hours and satisfies the requirements of a Didactic Program in Dietetics.
NIU offers a dietetic internship in conjunction with the M.S. in nutrition and dietetics.
It is strongly recommended that students planning to apply for a dietetic internship acquire work experience in food service and patient care and maintain a grade-point throughout their coursework of 3.0 or above.
Please consult the current Undergraduate Catalog for complete information about the Dietetics, Nutrition, and Hospitality Administration Program.
Students in both emphases must obtain the Illinois State Sanitation Certificate, and meet current Illinois Department of Public Health requirements for food handlers, and obtain certification in first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They must also acquire 100 hours of approved work experience.
It is highly recommended that students see their advisers to plan their sequence of courses.
A post-baccalaureate plan of study is available for students who want to have a carreer in dietetics but do not have a B.S. degree in nutrition and dietetics. Applicants whose earlier degrees were in a field other than nutrition and dietetics will be required to complete the DPD program courses. These students must submit their undergraduate transcripts to the DPD director for evaluation for a fee. The evaluation will determine which of the DPD courses the student needs to complete to be eligible for a dietetic internship, an M.S. degree, or to be a registered dietetic technician.
Address inquiries to:
Dr. Josephine Umoren
Program Coordinator, Nutrition, Diietetics, and Hospitality Administration
School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
(815) 753-6351
To arrange for an appointment with an advisor, contact the College of Health and Human Sciences office at (815) 753-1891.