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Program Overview

Dietetic Internship Handbook

Program Info & Admission

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2024-2025 Calendar

2025-2026 Calendar

Preselect Info

For any questions, please contact:

Ann E. Embry, PhD, RDN
Director of Dietetic Internship

ann.embry@wku.edu 

Academic Complex 209A

270-745-3041

 

Program Information

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

  1. Complete at least a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university in the United States and complete course work in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration, within the HMD major, at Western Kentucky University allows for the completion of the bachelor's degree and the necessary course work.

  2. Complete an internship that is accredited by ACEND. Students apply to internship programs in their last year at Western Kentucky University and complete internships after graduating from the University. Entrance into internships is highly competitive. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.3 to 3.5 and relevant work experience and/or volunteer experience aid in the preparation for a supervised practice program. 

  3. Pass the credentialing exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) following completion of an ACEND accredited internship.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website here. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Nutrition & Dietetics program (Didactic Program in Dietetics) at Western Kentucky University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

*In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure  requirements click here.

*For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

 

Program Admissions

  • A minimum of a Baccalaureate degree.
  • A minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) prior to the start date of the internship.
  • A signed "Verification Statement" or "Declaration of Intent" to complete degree.
  • We DO NOT require a personal interview for acceptance into the WKU Dietetic Internship.
  • We DO NOT award credit for prior learning experiences (coursework, supervised practice hours, or direct assessment).
  • As of January 2024, the WKU Dietetic Internship does NOT require the GRE.

Admissions will also be based upon the application submitted through DICAS (see Application Process for details), personal statement, resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and work experience, preferably paid.

Application Process

The Dietetic Internship at Western Kentucky University uses an on-line centralized internship application known as DICAS.  There are 5 steps to the full application process:

Complete the online centralized internship application, Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS), which may be accessed at portal.dicas.org. The DICAS portal is currently open for applications. The appplication is due by February 1, 2025. Applicants who submit by February 1 will be notified of their acceptance or rejection by March 1, 2025. Applications submitted after February 1 will be considered if spots are remaining. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.
*Applications submitted after February 1, 2025 will be reviewed and considered after all initial applications. For late submissions, offers of placement will be made on an individual basis until all spots are filled or until May 2, 2025. No appplications will be accepted or reviewed after May 2. 
Accepted applicants must notify the DI director of their acceptance of or withdrawal from the program by March 17, 2025. A phone call or email to the director is required for acceptance.
Interns will apply to the WKU Graduate School after acceptance into the Internship. Admission requirements for the internship also meet WKU Graduate School requirements. Interns will apply to the WKU certificate of Dietetic Practice and the MBA Program. 

 

The Western Kentucky University Dietetic Internship is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, an RDN must also obtain licensure to practice. For information on dietetic program accreditation, refer to: http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND 

Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics

120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

(800)-877-1600 (ext. 5400)

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 Last Modified 11/22/24