Close to finishing up your master’s degree and seeking a dietetic internship?

Previously completed your master’s degree and are seeking a dietetic internship?

You are in the right place! The RSC DI certificate program is for those who have completed or are close to completing their master’s degree and have a DPD verification statement. This program offers a three-semester, 24-credit graduate certificate program. We offer both a full-time track and a part-time track.  

Interns will earn a DI verification statement upon successful completion of this program and will be eligible to register for the Registration Exam for Registered Dietitians (in combination with the Master’s Degree that was previously earned prior to acceptance into the graduate certificate program).

Program Format

The dietetic internship incorporates three graduate courses totaling 1,000 hours of supervised experience in a variety of settings with two graduate coursework classes.

All interns will be actively completing practicum and related coursework during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Each semester will include a virtual orientation, advising sessions at minimum of once/semester and end of semester presentations.

In addition to practicum (supervised practice), interns will complete NTR-525, Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (will take concurrent to or before acute care clinical rotation) and NTR-555, Nutrition Research: Interpretation and Communication (will take concurrent with management or community rotation).  Both NTR-525 and NTR-555 are offered fully online.

Required Courses

CoursesCredit Hours
NTR 525 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy3
NTR 530 Dietetic Internship Practicum 1 (summer)6
NTR 531 Dietetic Internship Practicum 2 (fall)6
NTR 555 Nutrition Research: Interpretation & Communication3
NTR 532 Dietetic Internship Practicum 3 (spring)6
Total Required Credit Hours24

Those who complete the program will receive a Verification Statement and graduate certificate. 

Beginning on January 1, 2024 a minimum requirement of a master’s degree is required to take the registration examination for dietitians. Upon successful completion of the RSC DI combined with prior completion of a master’s degree, candidates will be eligible to register for the registration examination for dietitians. For more information, please visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s website. 

Required Practicum Hours

ROTATIONWeeks
Full-Time: 5-8 Hour Days/Week
Part-Time: 3-8 Hour Days/Week		Hours
Full-Time @ 40h/Week
Part-Time @ 24h/Week
Acute Care10/16.75400 hours
Long Term Care2/3.580 hours
Outpatient2/3.580 hours
Food Service Management6/10240 hours
Community5/8.5200 hours
TOTAL25/42.25 Weeks1000 hours

Full-time Interns

Full-time interns are in practicum for 40 hours/week (excluding holidays and allotted time between practicum rotations). These hours do not include lunch break.

Full-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within the standard 12-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 18 months to complete the program.

Part-time Interns

Part-time interns complete 24 hours/week of practicum (excluding holidays and allotted time between practicum rotations). These hours do not include lunch break.

Part-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within a 12-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 18 months to complete the program.

Part-time positions have been approved by ACEND. Part-time schedules can vary and interns must work closely with the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator for scheduling and registration requirements.

Successful completion of the Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate Requirements

To earn a DI verification statement, completion requirements include:

  • Earn an overall grade point average of a 3.0 (“B”) or better. 
  • Successfully complete all planned supervised practice experiences of the DI (clinical (acute, long-term care and outpatient), food service management and community).
  • Successfully achieve competence in all core competencies by the end of the program. 
  • Pass a final comprehensive examination (minimum 75% score). 

The following materials will also be completed during the last week of the DI: 

  • Paperwork required by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) to qualify for the RD exam
  • Exit interviews
  • Any other required business
  • Completion packets which include Verification Statements are mailed.

Practicum Placements 

Onsite: All rotations are appointed by the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator. Interns are provided a preference survey upon acceptance into the program. The Dietetic Internship program coordinator works diligently to schedule and secure all onsite interns placements and great effort goes into matching placements with intern preferences. Interns will receive placement roughly a month prior to the start of the program.

Interns are assigned to a variety of facilities and transportation to and from each site is the responsibility of each intern. The director and coordinator will make every effort to arrange placements within close proximity to where the intern will be residing throughout the program, however, there are times when up to one-hour of travel may be required.

Distance Learners: All rotations must be secured by the distance learner applicant upon application to the program. Form more information about distance placements, review: https://www.sage.edu/academics/schools/health-sciences/nutrition-programs/dietetic-internship/dietetic-internship-distance-track/

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