Dietetic Internship

The USU Dietetics Internship (DI) offers supervised practice and registration exam preparation for potential dietitians.  Students  must have a DPD verification and have earned a qualifying master’s degree.  Students who do not already have a master’s degree must be concurrently enrolled in master's degree programs within the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. The program accepts 12-14 participants per academic year.

Students may choose dietetics to diversify their career options while completing an MPH (Master of Public Health) Nutrition or MS (Master of Science) (Master of Science) in Nutrition Science. The program provides students with all necessary preceptors and placements to complete 1000 hours of supervised practice.

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Statement

Utah State University (USU) is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or age. USU also has a policy prohibiting sexual harassment of students, faculty, and staff. Equal opportunity applies to all aspects of employment: recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, benefits, and salary. Equal educational opportunities include admission, access to course offerings, financial assistance, housing, and extracurricular activities.

Step One: Prerequisites

Students may apply for the graduate-level dietetic internship program at Utah State University after completing prerequisite requirements. Students who completed undergraduate studies in dietetics and received a verification statement from an accredited program will follow Pathway 1. The verification statement serves as proof of prerequisite completion. All other students will be evaluated on an individual basis

Step 2: Application to Graduate School

Applicable applicants should have applied to the USU graduate school prior to application to the dietetic internship program. Full acceptance to the program will not be granted until the applicant has been accepted to either the Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science (MS). There is a $55 application fee.

View Graduate Application

Step 3: Application to the Dietetics Internship program

USU grants a master’s degree and a certificate to students who graduate from the dietetics internship program. The application to the certificate program is separate from the graduate school application. There is no fee for application other than the fee to submit an application through DICAS  (Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services)

The program application should be written in high quality English appropriate for formal settings. The application packet must contain the following:

• Letter of Intent (1500-3,000 words)
• Dietetics Experiences Spreadsheet
• Official transcripts
• Proof of DPD verification statement

Step Four:

Applications must be completed by January 15 for consideration.

Application packets are reviewed by the committee and scored based on the rubric below. The 15 applicants with the highest score will be scheduled for virtual interviews during February. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Questions and instructions will be emailed by January 25.

All applicants will receive a response about their post-application status.

Application rubric

Application Element	Criteria	Possible Points
Letter of Intent	Clear career aspirations States 1-3 goals for study and/or career Master’s degree plan clearly stated Evidence of strong written communication skills	20 points
Dietetics Experiences	Extensive experience in foodservice or related industry Evidence of professional development Demonstration of advancing abilities and skills	20 points
Academic transcripts	Prerequisites completed Coursework requirements met Prerequisites GPA > 3.0	20 points
Recommendation	Score based on recommender’s rating	10 points

Tuition

The ongoing rise in education expenses is a concern for everyone. Dietetics programs can be expensive due to costs related to supervised practice. The USU DI offers a lower cost per credit than many other dietetics education programs. Every attempt is made to provide students with a quality educational experience at the lowest possible cost.

Utah State University

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE DIETETICS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM/MASTER’S DEGREE

Expense	Estimated Cost (resident)	Estimated cost (non-resident)
Tuition & university fees	$20,321	$64,514
Course & rotation fees	$6,089	$6,089
Background Check	$110	$110
Graduate School Application	$55	$55
Health Insurance	$2300	$2300
Textbooks	$600	$600
Student Academy Membership	$50	$50
Living expenses	$8,100	$8,100
Total	$37,625	$81,818

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE DIETETICS INTERNSHIP ONLY

(for students who have already received a qualifying master’s degree)

Expense	Estimated Cost (resident)	Estimated cost (non-resident)
Tuition & university fees	$6,390	$19,164
Course & rotation fees	$6,089	$6,089
Background Check	$110	$110
Graduate School Application	$50	$50
Health Insurance	$2300	$2300
Textbooks	$600	$600
Student Academy Membership	$50	$50
Living expenses	$8,100	$8,100
Total	$23,689	$36,463

¹Students are highly encouraged to achieve Utah residency prior to attendance. View information on achieving residency for tuition purposes

²Details on living expenses have been gathered from collegefactual's website.

Scholarships, Financial Aid

Students should explore financial aid options prior to application. Many organizations provide scholarships for dietetic students including The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and nutritional companies. Individual graduate programs vary in their ability to help fund student education at the master’s level. Candidates are encouraged to discuss financial support arrangements with their major professor or program advisor. For additional information on graduate school costs and financial aid, visit the graduate school website

The USU Dietetics Internship partners with Americorps to provide a stipend in exchange for service to the national welfare. All US Citizens in the dietetic internship program are eligible for up to $2400. View Program

How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Beginning in 2024, aspiring dietitians must complete a master’s degree and 1,000 hours of supervised practice prior to sitting the registration exam. Several paths exist for students to realize this goal. The following graphic is the pathway aligned with the dietetic internship program at USU. The dietetics internship program is a graduate-level program that allows students to pursue a degree (if needed) while completing their supervised practice requirements.

The dietetics internship is a master’s-level dietetic internship program that leads to the completion of an MPH or MS in nutrition at Utah State University.  The verification statement, which allows students to sit for the registration exam, will be issued after students have completed the dietetics curriculum combined with the master’s degree requirements for their selected program of study.

Explore more paths to becoming a dietitian View Full List of Accredited Programs

State Certification and Licensure

Many states have enacted legislation regulating the practice of dietetics. State licensure and certification are separate from registration or certification by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Education in the dietetic internship program prepares students to sit for the national registration exam for dietitians upon completion of a graduate degree and supervised practice. This exam is required for licensing in most states, including the state of Utah. Additional information on licensing and certification programs can be found at https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap. 

In most states, graduates must obtain licensure or certification to practice. The dietetic internship program was designed to prepare students to complete programs that fulfill licensing qualifications in Utah. Once students have passed the exam for registered dietitians, they will have met the qualifications for the state of Utah. 

According to the most recent information from the sponsoring department, this program: 

• Meets licensure requirements in the following states: OR, WA, CA, ID, NV, AZ, UT, AK, MT, WY, CO, HI, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, IO, MS, AR, MS, TN, KY, OH, WV, PA, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, ME
• It has not been determined if the program meets licensure requirements in areas outside the 50 recognized states.

*Supervised practice hours will be completed during the two year master’s degree

Get your Verification Statement!

The verification statement is the key to sitting the registration exam for dietitians. You will get your verification statements once you have:

• Approved master’s Program of Study by Utah State University
• Completion of an approved master's project or thesis
• Graduate school GPA of > 3.0
• Students are required to successfully complete all supervised experiential learning and associated assessments such as assignments, exams, case studies, and presentations with a grade of 80% or higher.
• Hours logs have been completed and verified showing student has performed 1022 hours of supervised practice
• Student must obtain a 3 or higher on all final evaluations of competencies for all supervised experiential learning experiences.
• Documentation that students have met established competencies is maintained through the student’s progression through the program.
• Comply with acceptable professional standards of ethics, display appropriate personal conduct, and demonstrate adequate verbal and written communication skills during the studentship.
• All tuition and fees paid in full.

Mission and Goals:

Missions of the University, Department, and Program 

University Mission: 

The mission of Utah State University is to be one of the nation's premier student-centered land-grant and space-grant universities by fostering the principle that academics come first, by cultivating diversity of thought and culture, and by serving the public through learning, discovery, and engagement.  

Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food Sciences Mission: 

The mission of the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences (NDFS) is to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of our constituents in Utah, the nation, and internationally through our programs in education, research, and extension. 

Graduate Dietetics Internship Program Mission: 

The mission of the DI is to enhance the health of family, communities, and nations by advancing students who are prepared to advance the profession of dietetics through scientific understanding, compassionate clinical practice, and community engagement. 

Program Goals and Objectives 

Goal #1: Graduate students who are exam-ready and able to enter the dietetics work force or         advanced study

Goal #2: Produce professionals who are independent, capable, and prepared to function in entry-level      dietetics practice.

Program Objectives:

90% of graduates will pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians within 1 year of their first attempt.

90% of graduates will complete program requirements in less than three years

70% of students will be employed in dietetics or a related field within 1 year of program completion

30% of graduates will be enrolled in graduate schools within 5 years of program completion

70% of students will be rated as ‘above average’ on employer surveys

80% of graduates will report being ‘well prepared’ for entry level employment on 1-year alumni surveys

Program Overview:

The DI is built upon years of experience in dietetics education. Courses are overseen by professors with experience in dietetics. Preceptors are selected based on their dietetics specialty and ability to mentor students. Our supervised practice sites include top-quality hospitals and community programs as well as on-campus services.

In addition to coursework, the students complete rotations in clinical dietetics, community wellness programs, on-campus recreation, and management. They have opportunities to practice diverse types of education, including direct instruction, counseling, motivational interviewing, food demonstrations, virtual presentations, and more. The robust curriculum combined with high-quality practice develops excellent preparation for entry-level dietetics with an emphasis on skills related to medical dietetics, including medical nutrition therapy, interdisciplinary care, and client counseling.

Supervised practice and experiential learning occur throughout the program. Part-time or weekly experiences will occur through the first two semesters (fall, spring). During the third semester (fall second year), students are placed full-time at facilities, businesses, and organizations along the Wasatch Front in Utah.  Students are guaranteed to spend 1,000 hours in professional facilities working alongside experienced RDNs (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).

The third semester (fall second year), requires full-time placement in clinical settings that range from Logan to Salt Lake City. Students are encouraged to create a degree plan with their major advisor that accommodates this semester. Online or self-study courses will best integrate with rotations during this semester.

Semester	Summer 1	Fall 1	Spring 1	Fall 2
Rotations	Clinical Skills I Lab	Food Service Skills  Clinical simulation experiences Clinical Skills I Community Skills I	Clinical Skills II Community Skills II	Advanced Inpatient Staff Relief Education Rotation Pediatric

The following rotations are provided along with the following hours:

Rotation	Hours Provided
Foodservice Skill I Rotation	122
Clinical Skills I Rotation	60
Community Skills I Rotation	60
Clinical Skills II Rotation	120
Community Skills II Rotation	122
Advance Inpatient Rotation	192
Staff Relief Rotation	32
Elective Rotation	96
Pediatric Rotation	128
Education Rotation	32
Simulations	36
TOTAL	1,000

Master’s Degree Options:

The dietetics internship program offers two program tracks to students who have not received a previous master’s degree: the Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Food Science and the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition.

Option #1- USU MPH

The MPH in Public Health Nutrition offered through the department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science is an excellent option for dietetics study. Students can explore how public health programs influence nutrition locally and globally. In addition, students will learn about grant writing, program management, and leadership.

The following course plan demonstrates how the MPH can be a great partner to prepare students to sit the registration exam for dietitians in 4 semesters. Students complete 54 credits for this combined program of study.

USU-MPH	Fall	Spring
Year 1	NDFS 5050: Clinical Skills I (1)  NDFS 5080: Foodservice Skills (2)  NDFS 5090: Community Skills I (1)  NDFS 6140: Introduction to Public Health (3)  NDFS 6540: Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostats (3)  NDFS 6810: Social Determinants of Health (3)	NDFS 6060: Community Skills II (2)  NDFS 5060: Clinical Skills II (2)   ADVS 5000: One Health: People, Animals, and the Environment (3)  NDFS 6010: Hunger Issues and  solutions (3)  NDFS 6280: Public Health Administration/Leadership (3)
Year 2	NDFS 6460: Medical Dietetics (4)  NDFS 6200: Nutritional Epidemiology (3)  NDFS 6600: Current Topics in Obesity (3)  NDFS 6240: Program Planning/Evaluation in Public Health (3)     NDFS 6800: Counseling and Motivational Interviewing (3)	NDFS 6210: Advanced Public Health Nutrition (3)  NDFS 6230: Communicating Current Topics in Public Health (3)  NDFS 6550: Public Health Policy and Advocacy (3)  NDFS 6840: Applied Practice Experience in Public Health (3)
The maximum time allowed to complete this program is 3 years

Option #2- USU MS in Nutrition Science

The DI-MS in Nutrition and Food Science is a thesis-based graduate program where students select a major professor prior to enrollment and work to complete research in their chosen specialty. Students complete 36-48 credits depending on course recommendations made by their thesis committee.

Year One

Summer	Fall	Spring
	Clinical Skills (1)  Foodservice Skills (2)   Community Skills I (1) NDFS Seminar (1)  Biochemistry course per committee (3)  Epidemiology (3)	Clinical Skills II (2) Community Skills II (2) NDFS Seminar (1)  Statistics course per committee (3)

Year Two

Summer	Fall	Spring
	Medical Dietetics (8)  Communicating Current Topics in Nutr (3)	Research (6)  Advanced Practicum (2)

Option #3- Dietetics Internship Program Only

For students who have previously completed a qualifying master’s degree or are going from BS to PhD.

Year One

Summer	Fall	Spring
	NDFS 5050: Clinical Skills I (1) NDFS 5080: Foodservice Skills (2) NDFS 5090: Community Skills I (1)	NDFS 6060: Community Skills II (2) NDFS 5060: Clinical Skills II (2)

Year Two

Summer	Fall	Spring
	NDFS 6460: Medical Dietetics (4)

Program Outcomes

90% of graduates will pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians within 1 year of their first attempt.

90% of graduates will complete program requirements in less than three years

70% of students will be employed in dietetics or a related field within 1 year of program completion

30% of graduates will be enrolled in graduate schools within 5 years of program completion

70% of students will be rated as ‘above average’ on employer surveys

80% of graduates will report being ‘well prepared’ for entry level employment on 1-year alumni surveys

The DI Program at USU enjoyed 30 years of success in training dietitians. The program had strong 1-year pass rates for the RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) registration exam, high student retention rates, and excellent employment opportunities for graduates.

Program outcomes data is available upon request.

View Program Assessment

Prior Learning

The USU DI does accept prior learning for qualified master’s degrees as determined by the USU DI faculty director.

Policies and Procedures

USU DI Handbook

Link will be provided for the completed handbook upon approval.

Distance Education Requirements:

While the majority of the courses in the DI are face-to-face classes, there are some courses offered in either a hybrid, asynchronous or synchronous online format. All students within the DI will use the Canvas Learning Management System to access course information including syllabi, learning activities, lectures, quizzes, and exams. Each student will access their Canvas account using their university ID (A#) and a unique password that they create. The security of the online learning system verifies the identity of the distance learning student.

For the best learning experience, students obtain access to the following hardware and software to support program success:

• A laptop or desktop computer in good working condition. Chromebooks, iPads, Android devices and iPhones do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at USU. These types of devices may be used for some coursework but should not be considered a primary device.
• Chrome is the preferred browser and is required for online
• A built-in or external microphone and webcam.
• Students must have daily access to the internet.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft 365 access available to USU
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Adobe Creative access available to USU students)
• USU students will receive access to box.com, which will provide storage and privacy by using university credentials to log in.

Academic Calendar 

Academic courses in the USU DI will observe all regularly scheduled holidays and vacations as outlined on the University calendar except for fall semester of the 2^nd year when students will comply with the employment calendar at their placement facility. 

View Academic Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions