Dietetic Internship Program
So you want to be an RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) or Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met criteria and earned the opportunity to continue to refer to themselves with an RD or RDN credential. See additional details on the department homepage of how to become an RDN.
Watch Nutrition Dietetic Internship Virtual Information Session »
How can Marywood assist you on your professional journey?
We offer an Accredited Dietetic Internship Program through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Our program offers both an onsite or distance track. In addition to our Masters Degree Dietetic Internship we are also able to offer a five-year BS/MS/DI program allowing those that qualify the option to complete their Bachelors, Masters, and Internship all through Marywood enabling them to sit for the RDN Exam in five years.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintains a list of accredited Internships, which provide you additional options, but Marywood’s programs in Nutrition have a history dating back to its opening in 1915.
See Applying to an Internship Program for more information to learn how to increase your chances of getting accepted into an internship.
In 2017 Marywood University has been approved by the state of Pennsylvania to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The benefit to interns is enhanced overall quality of distance education. For more information on NC-SARA, please visit www.nc-sara.org.
We offer a Dietetic Internship program in two tracks
Completion of either track will provide the verification statement that makes you eligible to take the registration exam.
Needed DI Forms can be found in the FORM section on the side bar.
Please note: Commission on Dietetic Registration changed the entry-level registration eligibility education requirements for dietitians, beginning in 2024, from baccalaureate degree to minimum of a graduate degree.
Accreditation
Marywood University's Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
800/877-1600, ext. 5400
312/899-0040
Fax: 312/899-4817
All Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited programs must meet certain basic requirements. One such requirement is that the Dietetic Internship Program (DI) clearly states its mission, goals, and expected program outcomes. This outcome data collected is used to maintain or improve the program effectiveness.
Mission
The mission of Marywood's Internship Program is to prepare well-rounded graduates who are competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Graduates are ready to respond to the challenging demands of productive careers in dietetics and nutrition-related fields through a commitment to lifelong learning. They will demonstrate professionalism, self-directedness, evidence-based practice decisions, effective communication, critical thinking, collaboration in their professional community, and active ongoing self-assessment all in the pursuit of meaningful work that makes a positive impact on others.
This is reflective of the Standards of Education from ACEND and the Health Promotion and Wellness concentration of the program, which enable graduates to accept positions in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in a variety of healthcare and community environments. They will lead and empower individuals, especially those with economic need, to achieve better nutrition and healthier lifestyles.
Goals & Outcomes
Program Goal 1
The Dietetic Internship will produce graduates who practice competently in positions that address the ongoing/evolving health care demands for wellness promotion, maintenance and restoration of health in the populations they serve. The program will produce graduates who are confident leaders capable of effective advocacy and beneficial service on behalf of the community and field of nutrition and dietetics.
Upon Completion of the program;
1a. At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 33 months (150% of the program length).
1b. On the one-year post completion employer survey, of those that respond, 90% will score "agree or strongly agree" with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding the graduate's preparation for entry-level practice.
1c. Of graduates who seek employment 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
1d. The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Program Goal 2
The Dietetic Internship will develop graduates to encourage critical thinking and application of the knowledge, and research in food and nutrition science to assess and treat individuals and diverse populations. The program will prepare graduates for expanded professional opportunities and/or further academic studies, who embrace the ever-changing challenges of the profession and need to be self-directed learners with a commitment to life-long learning as critical to serving the community and profession.
Upon completion of the program;
2a. At least 85 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
2b. On the end of program survey, at least 75% of graduates who respond will "agree or strongly agree" with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding the program fostering self-directed learning.
2c. On the three-year post program survey, at least 80% of graduates who respond will "agree or strongly agree" with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding leadership service in the dietetics profession and/or community at large..
2d. On the three-year post programr survey, at least 40% of program graduates who respond will indicate they have become a preceptor or mentor dietetic students or interns.
Program Outcome Data is available on request. Please contact the DI Program Director -- Stephanie Minkoff, MHSA, RDN,LDN at [email protected]
