The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) offered at Western Illinois University provides quality education that prepares students with the technical, human, and conceptual skills for entry level positions in a variety of food and nutrition settings.

Possible Careers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations because of increased importance placed on disease prevention, increasing population, aging population, and the interest in nutrition by the public.

Dietitians provide nutrition services, manage food service operations, and conduct research or sales with the public and private sectors in the United States and abroad.

Job settings include:

• Clinics
• Hospitals (inpatient/acute care)
• Health maintenance organizations
• Sports facilities
• Private practice
• School food service (K-12)
• Colleges and universities
• Extended care facilities
• Government programs
• Distributors/retailers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Food service industries
• Food manufacturers
• Food industry catering service
• Food equipment companies