Dietetics Internship
Dietetics majors are eligible to apply to a dietetic internship during senior year. In order to apply, each candidate must have completed, or be able to show that they will complete, the courses that provide the “Foundation Knowledge and Skills” that are required by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These courses are included in the dietetics curriculum (pdf). Upon successful completion of all DPD coursework and conference of the degree, a student will be issued a Verification Statement. (See the Dietetics Handbook (pdf) for the complete policy on Issuance of the Verification Statement)
Nationwide Opportunities
There are approximately 280 dietetic internship programs nationwide. Students can find a listing of these programs via the ACEND website. In addition, students can find detailed dietetic internship program information by visiting the internship website and by reviewing the internship binders in the HSS office. All dietetic internships are required to maintain accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. These programs provide students with experience in food management, community dietetics, and clinical dietetics.
Competitive Placement
Acceptance into a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship program is very competitive. The national average placement rate to an internship for the years 2008-2012 averaged between 50-55%. The University of Dayton dietetics program placement rate for the years 2008-2012 ranged between 80-85%.
What Students Can Do
While no dietetics program can guarantee a student acceptance into an internship, students can do the following to increase the chances of being accepted to an internship:
- Earn and maintain GPA > 3.0. The average GPA for the University of Dayton Dietetics class of 2012 was 3.58.
- Obtain paid work experience in a nutrition or food service related field.
- Seek out long-term volunteer nutrition related experience.
- Develop leadership skills through extracurricular activities.
Application
The DPD Director will work with each dietetic student in the fall of their final year of study to provide guidance during the application process. Students generally submit formal application in the second semester of their senior year to post-baccalaureate programs. Many dietetic internship programs require students to take the GRE as part of the application process. Selection of the post-baccalaureate program is made through computer matching, using D&D Digital and DICAS.
For additional internship application timeline and matching information, visit ACEND: http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/content.aspx?id=191.