Dietetic Internship
Dietetic Internship
The mission of the Dietetic Internship is to educate interns through providing a high-quality experience including evidence based knowledge and supervised practice in food and nutrition systems to prepare graduates to meet or exceed high standards for preparation of entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to enhance health and well-being of people.
Fun Facts
4
Years
3
Rotations
7
Months
Program Information
Our Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and consists of 7 months of didactic and hybrid online education after completion of 4 years of academic coursework from a Didactic Program in Dietetics. Students participate in educational and experiential learning that prepares them to enter the dietetics profession. Interns complete the necessary hours of supervised practice. Upon completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registry exam to earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Additionally, interns who successfully complete the program may decide to pursue a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems.
Eligibility
Before applying for our Dietetic Internship, students must complete an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. A verification statement signed by your Didactic Program Director is required. The deadline to apply is February 15 at 11:59 pm. Learn more about the process, materials and requirements to apply for the Dietetic Internship.
Goals and Objectives
Objectives:
- Of Dietetic Internship graduates, 80% will be practicing dietitians within 12 months of graduation.
- One year after graduation from the Dietetic Internship, 80% of alumni surveyed will report satisfied or very satisfied with the program.
- Among Dietetic Internship program graduates, 33% will complete a master’s degree within 36 months of graduation from the dietetics internship.
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- 80% of employers over a 5-year period, who complete the employer survey, will rate Dietetic Internship graduates at 3 or higher, on a 4-point scale, for preparedness for an entry-level position.
- 80% of graduates are expected to take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of Dietetic Internship students will graduate in 150% of the time (10.5 months) set for program completion.
- Upon graduation, at least 75% of alumni will participate in public policy advocacy to provide solutions to practical problems in their communities.
- Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Objectives:
- 70% of Dietetic Internship graduates will have professional experience in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- All Dietetic Internship interns (100%) will participate in and disseminate research information on Food and Nutrition Systems through traditional and contemporary methods.
All program outcomes data are available on request from Aaron Schwartz, Dietetic Internship Director.
- Earning the RDN Credential
- Apply for a Scolarship
- Internship Fees
After successful completion of the Coordinated Program, students receive signed ACEND verification forms that confirm eligibility to sit for the CDR national registry exam to earn the RDN credential. Students/interns will need to have a master's degree in order to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist after January 1, 2024. For more information about becoming a RDN and careers in Nutrition and Dietetics, explore the RDN Fact Sheet from ACEND.
Some states require persons working or engaging in any type of dietetics or nutrition practices to be licensed, certified or registered in the state. Students interested in working in dietetics and or nutrition in another state should learn more about whether their program and the RDN credential will lead to licensure, certification, registration, etc. in each state.
RDN Fact Sheet
Out of State Educational Activities
Dietetics RDN Disclosures 2020-2021
TheBreeding-Smith Edge Scholarship is awarded annually to a Dietetics and Human Nutrition student in the Coordinated Program or Dietetic Internship Program. Students who receive this scholarship have clearly demonstrated leadership skills and entrepreneurial potential.
In addition to tuition, students may incur expenses for travel, housing, liability insurance, medical exams, drug testing, background checks, verification of student identity (such as for distance learning), uniforms and other program-specific costs. Review the Dietetic Internship Handbook for more information on estimated fees.
Preparing to Apply
DICAS
Procedures for the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services application
ProceduresConnect With Us
Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
204 Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506
859-257-3800
DHN@UKY.EDU
The Dietetic Internship Program, in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky, is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) - 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606; (800) 877-1600, ext 5400; www.eatrightpro.org/acend.
