Majors in nutrition, dietetics, and hospitality administration may prepare for positions in dietetics, in hospitality administration, in community nutrition programs, and in the food industry, as well as in other related areas.
It is highly recommended that students see their advisers to plan their sequence of courses.
Special Requirements
Students must obtain the Illinois State Sanitation Certificate and meet current Illinois Department of Public Health requirements for food handlers and certification in first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Students must earn a grade of C or better in FCNS prerequisite courses before they can enroll in any successive FCNS course to meet the requirements for a nutrition, dietetics, and hospitality administration major.
Emphasis 1. Hospitality Administration
This emphasis provides basic preparation for fulfillment of the baccalaureate requirements for careers in hospitality management, or for graduate studies in this area. Majors in this emphasis receive practical experience in a student-operated dining facility, in on-campus residence halls where several thousand meals are served daily, and in a variety of other food service operations used as internship/independent study sites.
Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Hospitality Administration: 76-79
Emphasis 2. Nutrition and Dietetics
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.
Completion of this emphasis satisfies the academic requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The program is approved by the ADA. To become a registered dietitian (R.D.), a student must complete both the academic and experience requirements of the ADA, and pass the national registry examination. Postbaccalaureate students requesting DPD verification must complete a minimum of 9 semester hours of approved course work at NIU with a grade of C or better. Consult with the DPD director prior to NIU enrollment to determine required course work.
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. 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 practice program acquire work experience in food service and patient care.
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