Dietetics Program Description

Dietitians establish nutritional care plans, help prevent and treat illnesses through the promotion of healthy eating habits, assess and evaluate clients' nutritional needs, and oversee institutional food service systems. They also counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices, supervise food service personnel and large scale meal planning and preparation in health care facilities, industrial cafeterias, prisons and schools, oversee food purchases, and participate in dietetic research and education.

To become a Registered Dietitian (RD), a four-year degree in Dietetics/Nutrition is required. The dietetics course of study at Illinois Central College allows students to readily transfer into the junior year at a four-year institution. After completion of the bachelor's degree, students must apply for an internship, which is approximately 6 to 12 months long. These internships are highly competitive and therefore require the student to maintain a good grade point average to make himself/herself more marketable. Once the internship is completed, the student is then eligible to take the American Dietetics Association registration examination.