There are many reasons for the success of the nutrition program at Viterbo University and the launch of the community medical dietetics major in the fall of 1975, but one attribute probably sums it up best. 

“We have a long history of being unique,” said faculty member Maria Morgan-Bathke, chair of the department and director of the dietetic internship program.

Today, that uniqueness means being the only nutrition and dietetics program in the nation that allows students to complete their required supervised practice hours to become a registered dietitian anywhere in the U.S. In the spring of 2026, there are eighty-five students enrolled in Viterbo’s nutrition and dietetics programs, including the nutrition sciences 4+1 program that allows undergraduate students to earn a master’s degree and complete the required 1,000 hours of supervised practice in five years.

Finding those internship and supervised practice locations for every student in their area of interest (eating disorders, oncology, weight management, sports nutrition, etc.) is one of the other factors that set the program apart. Viterbo has 600 partners nationwide at which students are placed, eliminating the stress and inconvenience of securing a location on their own. Viterbo also offers a a valuable study aboard opportunity to Spain. 

The program celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a Sports Nutrition Symposium in March that included educational presentations on topics such as performance, fitness, overall wellbeing, and fueling for strength, speed, endurance, as well as everyday health, hands-on wellness activities. 

“I am very proud of the program, especially when you see the amazing things our alumni are doing and have accomplished,” Morgan-Bathke said. “We will continue to stay ahead of the curve in providing our students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the profession.”