About the Dietetic Internship

During the spring 2020 COVID emergency, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Board voted to temporarily reduce supervised practice hours to 1000 hours through June 20, 2022. The TTU Dietetic Internship is planned for 26 weeks/1040 hours of supervised practice. In addition, TTU has a fully online optional MS in Nutrition and Dietetics degree with a focus on practice-based electives. This online degree allows dietetic interns flexibility in completing an MS degree if desired. Completion of a Master's degree will be required by 2024. The DI program is 18 months in length with the option to complete graduate work for three semesters before rotations begin.

The timeline presented for the dietetic internship is subject to change depending on the situation with COVID-19 and ACEND requirements.

Qualifications to apply for Dietetic Internship (DI):

Students who successfully complete an undergraduate academic program and receive a DPD Verification Statement from an ACEND accredited university are eligible to apply for an ACEND accredited DI. Matching for the internship is completed through the DICAS nationwide computer match. The DI consists of a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice to gain the competencies needed to practice as an entry-level dietitian. Upon completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to take a national examination to become a RD/RDN.

Graduation Requirements: 

Dietetic interns must successfully complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice. Graduates of the DI program must meet the competencies with an average score of 3 or above and learning outcomes as required by ACEND (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995) to receive their DI verification statement as well as a certificate of internship completion. Completion of an MS degree will be required by 2024.

Over the past five years, 96% of graduates of the TTU dietetic internship have successfully passed the RDN exam within one year following first attempt.

Dietetic Internship Program Requirements:

The dietetic intern will fulfill all learning outcomes/core competencies of the Dietetic Internship Program via supervised practice, virtual activities and other assignments and projects. Completion of a graduate degree is required as part of program completion requirements(pending approval by ACEND after completion of site visit in spring of 2022).  Upon successful fulfillment of all competencies and requirements of the program and proof of a graduate degree shown on a transcript, the intern will receive a certificate of completion from the internship. A DI verification statement will be issued, and the DI Director will submit the required paperwork CDR to as meeting eligibility requirements for the registration examination in dietetics. Texas is a state that requires licensure. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.