Nutrition & Dietetics

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Study at the only ELCA college in the U.S. with an accredited didactic program in dietetics.

Do you want to learn more about how the foods you eat influence your body? Do you love to try new recipes? Do you want to be able to help others adopt healthy habits? The demand for nutrition professionals is increasing in response to the aging population, the rising number of people with chronic health issues, and environmental concerns. 

Programs of Study

Major or Minor in Food/Nutrition/Dietetics

This major will prepare you for a dietetic internship, of which Concordia graduates have a very high placement rate, and lay the groundwork for a variety of careers in the nutrition and dietetics.

To view course requirements and get more information on our program, please refer to our student handbook.

Food, Nutrition, and Dietetic Careers

  • Hospitals, long-term care facilities, HMOs or other health care facilities: educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as a part of the healthcare team
  • Food service operations in healthcare facilities, schools, childcare centers, and correctional facilities: overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff
  • Sports teams and workplaces with corporate wellness programs: educating clients/athletes about the connection between food, fitness, and health
  • Food- and nutrition-related businesses and industries: working in the areas of communication, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development
  • Private practice or contracting with healthcare or food companies: providing services to your own clients, food service or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, athletes, etc.
  • Community and public health settings: helping individuals and groups improve health behaviors through direct teaching and advising, and through larger health promotion programs 
  • University and medical centers: teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students, and others the science of food and nutrition
  • Research for pharmaceutical companies, universities, government, and hospitals: directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and improve nutrition recommendations for the public

Alumni Success Stories

4 Min Read

From Nutrition Counseling to Corporate Counsel

A dietetics internship launched a career that would take Katie Lee Rizzo ’95 across the country, to numerous professional fields and, finally, back to Fargo as an attorney for Sanford Health.

Continue Reading

Changing the World One Recipe at a Time

Registered dietitian Serena Ball '96 shares her passion for healthy eating and cooking through her consulting practice, Teaspoon Communications, her blog, Teaspoon of Spice, and writing a column for the Food Network.

Continue Reading

Undergraduate Program Opportunities

Concordia’s food/nutrition/dietetics program offers:

  • Multiple opportunities to build communication skills by developing and presenting projects/research to community groups
  • Small class sizes and a comfortable place to share ideas and learn from others
  • Dedicated faculty members who will work closely with you and provide guidance throughout your time at Concordia and beyond
  • Funding to attend the Academy’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo during your junior or senior year
  • A science-based education steeped in the liberal arts that will prepare you to think critically about real-world issues
  • Multiple collaborative events where you will interact with, and learn from students in other disciplines
  • Practical and relevant field experiences built into the curriculum so you will be prepared to “hit the ground running” after graduation
  • Opportunities to network with nutrition professionals at monthly Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) events
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Nutrition Students in Action

Interdisciplinary Case Study

Interdisciplinary Case Study

Undergraduate and graduate dietetics students from the department of nutrition, dietetics, and exercise science recently attended the annual Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. Due to the large percentage of our students attending, the department was awarded the School Spirit Award from the academy. This was quite an honor for the students, as only four Spirit Awards were given nationwide. Students were invited to attend a social where they were able to network with the academy president and members of the board of directors.

Graduate Program

The combined Dietetic Internship (DI) and Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition program at Concordia College is for graduates who have completed an approved didactic program in dietetics (DPD). The DI/MS program was established as a cooperative arrangement with the college, public schools, and area healthcare facilities.

Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist    

There are many career paths you can take after graduation depending on your future goals. You can earn credentials as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR), attend graduate school, or enter the workforce.

If your goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN):

After graduating from Concordia’s DPD program with a 3.0 minimum GPA, you will be eligible to apply to supervised practice programs, otherwise known as dietetic internships, where you will complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of practical training. Programs are located across the country and are generally nine to 12 months in length (internship only) or longer if the internship is combined with graduate studies. For more information on the internship application process, please see the student handbook or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

After successful completion of your dietetic internship, you will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registration exam, which is a computerized test that graduates must pass in order to receive the RD/RDN credential. Additional information about the Registration Exam can be found on the CDR website. For more information on the exam and licensure in Minnesota, see the student handbook.

Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required in order to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) Registration Examination for Dietitians.

If your goal is to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR):

After graduating with a degree in food, nutrition, and dietetics from Concordia, you will be eligible to take the Registration Exam for Dietetic Technicians, which is a computerized test that graduates must pass in order to receive the NDTR credential. For more information about the exam, visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration website.

If your goal is to continue your education or to enter the workforce:

After graduating with a degree in food, nutrition, and dietetics from Concordia, you will be eligible apply for:

  • Graduate programs (minimum GPAs and course requirements vary with programs)
  • Nutrition/health-related jobs that do not require the RDN credential, including many that are listed above

Portfolios

Dietetic Student Portfolios | May 2019

Our students' unique experiences are documented in the portfolios they create at the end of their program.

Dietetic Student Portfolios | May 2018

Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Concordia College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800.877.1600, ext. 5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend 

Program information in the student handbook:

  • Program description, including program mission, goals, and objectives. Program outcome data is available upon request.
  • Cost and availability of financial aid.
  • Requirements for application, admission, graduation, and program completion.
  • Academic/program calendar.
Contact

Dr. Michelle G. Strang
Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics; Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
P 218.299.4443
E mstrang@cord.edu