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Dietetic Internship

Gain hands-on experience in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service management across diverse professional settings.
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Turn Your Passion for Nutrition Into a Profession

Program Overview

 


Program Overview: Internship Philosophy & Mission

The University of Wisconsin-Stout Dietetic Internship is committed to providing a high-quality program that is recognized as an excellent model for the preparation of entry-level dietitians through an innovative and supportive supervised practice. The program seeks to provide opportunities for interns to develop, integrate, and practice core competencies needed for entry-level dietitians, with a focus on the application of evidence-based nutrition practices throughout the lifespan. The Dietetic Internship supports 黑料社区's and the UW System's mission of developing human resources, developing students鈥 heightened intellectual, cultural, and humane sensitivities, technological expertise, a sense of value, purpose, and to serve society.

Program Outcome data is available upon request.

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Internship Goals & Objectives

 

Dietetic Internship students review research.
Goal 1
Prepare graduates to be highly qualified entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who can practice in a variety of settings.
  • Program Completion of Non-Degree DI Program Objective:  At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 13.5 months (150% of planned program length).
  • Program Completion of MS/DI Program Objective: At least 80% of program students complete program/degree (MS/DI pathway) requirements within 22.5 months (150% of program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionist within 12 months of program completion.
  • The program 黑料社区. 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%.
Goal 2
Prepare competent entry-level dietitians who are well equipped to meet the demand of the profession and contribute to the growing employment of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
  • Over a three-year period, at least 90% of responding employers will agree (yes/no) that the graduate exhibited the knowledge and skills to perform as a competent entry-level RDN at the time of employment.
  • At least 80% of employers will report satisfaction with the performance of program graduates, as measured by annual employer survey.
  • Over a three-year period, 90% of responding preceptors will rate the intern as "making very good progress toward entry level practice" or higher by the end of the rotation. This ensures that interns are well-equipped to meet the demands of the profession and are prepared to contribute to the growing employment of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).

Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

To become an RDN, students must complete the following steps:

  1. Earn a Master's Degree: Complete a minimum of a master 黑料社区. degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college. UW鈥揝tout offers an M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics that fulfills this requirement.
  2. Complete Accredited Coursework: Finish coursework through an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). UW鈥揝tout 黑料社区. undergraduate Dietetics Program provides this coursework and issues a verification statement upon successful completion.
  3. Complete Supervised Practice: Participate in an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, such as the UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship. This experience prepares you for entry-level practice in clinical, community, and food service settings.
  4. Pass the National Credentialing Exam: After completing your education and supervised practice, pass the national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Visit the CDR website for more information.
  5. Meet State Licensure Requirements: Many states require licensure to practice as a dietitian. All states accept the RDN credential for licensure purposes. Check with your state 黑料社区. licensing board for specific requirements.
  6. Maintain Your Credential: RDNs must complete 75 hours of continuing professional education every five years to maintain their credential and stay current with best practices and research.

 

Supervised Practice Requirements

To be eligible to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam, students must complete a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship fulfills this requirement, providing the hands-on experience needed to qualify for the national credentialing exam administered by the

Admission Requirements

 


Application & Requirements

Requirements

Admission into the 黑料社区 Dietetic Internship Program requires a minimum of the following:

  • A master 黑料社区. degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Verification of completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics from an approved/accredited undergraduate program.
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale; GPA 3.0 or above in professional courses.
  • Recent relevant work experience beyond that required for course requirements (may be either paid or volunteer).
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy course(s) completed no more than four years prior to the application to the 黑料社区 Dietetic Internship. Internship.

 

黑料社区 Dietetic Internship Group
Qualities of a Good Internship Candidate
  1. Leadership experience, such as holding a position in a school dietetic organization or other volunteer organization.
  2. Work experience beyond that required for course requirements, especially in nutrition and food service, is very helpful. Also, experience in community or public health is beneficial.
  3. Volunteer experience or independent work in a dietetics-related area.
  4. Professional skills, such as communication, multitasking (being able to manage many responsibilities, such as work, school, and extracurricular activities) and a good relationship with faculty and employers.
  5. Self-motivation is another important quality.

New Dietetics Application Process for ACEND庐 Supervised Practice Programs (DIs, CPs, GPs) 

All supervised practice programs have the option to participate in the . This portal offers a convenient service for applicants to apply to multiple dietetics programs with a single application. DICAS is a service of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Please note, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, programs are not required to use DICAS so read individual program website 黑料社区. carefully for specific application instructions and deadlines.

Admission Process

 


How to Apply

Admission Pathways

The UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship Program offers admission pathways for current UW鈥揝tout students and external applicants:

 

Option 1: Options for Current UW鈥揝tout Students

Current UW鈥揝tout students may apply to the Dietetic Internship Program through our internal pre-select process. This option is available for both the 15-Month MS/DI Pathway and the 9-Month DI Pathway.

15-Month MS/DI Pathway

This pathway is for senior UW鈥揝tout Dietetics students who plan to complete their master 黑料社区. degree and Dietetic Internship concurrently.

  • Apply through the pre-select admission process
  • Must be accepted into the 黑料社区 M.S. Nutrition & Dietetics program as an accelerated student
  • Complete both the master 黑料社区. degree and Dietetic Internship in 15 months
  • Up to four pre-select slots are reserved annually for this pathway

9-Month DI Pathway

  • Apply through the pre-select admission process
  • Enrolled in the 黑料社区 M.S. Nutrition & Dietetics program
  • Intend to complete the 9-month Dietetic Internship following completion of the master's degree
  • Not included in the four reserved M.S./DI slots

Application Timelines

  • Application Opens: September 1
  • Application Deadline: November 15

Application Fee Upon Acceptance

A non-refundable department fee of $75 is required upon acceptance into the UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship Program. Make check/money order payable to 黑料社区 and mail to: 

黑料社区 Dietetic Internship
JHTW 256
410 10th Avenue E.
Menomonie WI 54751

Option 2: Options for External Applicants

Admission Process for External Applicants

  • Apply through
  • Must have earned a master 黑料社区. degree in a dietetics-related field from another institution
    • DICAS can provide information regarding the online application process and its fees.  Call 617-612-2855 or email dicasinfo@dicas.org.
    • For additional guidance on the dietetic internship application process including accredited program and student resources, visit Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 
  • Application Fee Upon Acceptance
    • non-refundable department fee of $75 is required upon acceptance into the UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship Program. Make check/money order payable to 黑料社区 and mail to 黑料社区 Dietetic Internship, JHTW 256, 410 10th Avenue E., Menomonie WI 54751.

Academic & Program Calendar

 

Rotation Schedule Overview

Internship Pathway Scheduling Options Sample

Rotation Area
(Min. Required Hours)
9-Month Pathway
(40-Hour Work Week)
15-Month Pathway
(32-Hour Work Week)
RequirementsPreceptor RequirementsSite Locations

Community & Public Health

ADRC 听

WIC 听

3 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

5 weeks

Minimum two sites may have up to three. One must be WIC, and one must be with older adults, such as senior meals.

RDN preferred but not required.

Registered Nurse, certified health educator, appropriately degreed professional

Community-based centers, senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, Extension, WIC, public health agencies, SNAP.

Food Service Management

FS School听

FS Hospital听

3 weeks

3 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

One to two sites, each must serve a minimum of 60 meals per day

Foodservice director,

Certified culinary professional,

Certified dietary manager

DTRN

Acute care, Hospitals, long-term care

School foodservice (private, public, college)

Clinical & MNT

LTC 听

In-patient 听

Out-patient 听

3 weeks

9 weeks

4 weeks

4 weeks

11 weeks+ 1 day

5 weeks

Clinical In-patient; two - three sites

Clinical Out-patient; one to two sites

Registered Dietitian required

Must cover acute care hospital & long-term care.听

Clinic, private practice, dialysis center, bariatric center, outpatient health counseling

Choice Week

Interns鈥 Choice (40)

1 week

1 week + 1 day

Repeat at previous site to enhance skillsAppropriate qualified professional
  • 9-Month Pathway starts in early September and ends the following May, with time off over the winder holidays.
  • 15-Month Pathway starts Summer (Monday-Thursday or Tuesday 鈥 Friday).
  • Seminar scheduled monthly, approximately 50% virtual to provide flexibility for interns.

Credit Registration Process

  • 9-Month Pathway: Once accepted to the Dietetic Internship Program, students must complete the UW鈥揝tout application to register for听15 total credits听in听FN-865 Supervised Practice in Medical Nutrition Management:
    • 6 credits in the听fall
    • 3 credits in听Winterm
    • 6 credits in the听spring
      Applications must be completed by听August 1, prior to the start of the internship.
  • 15-Month MS/DI Pathway: Upon acceptance into the MS/DI program, the听Internship Director will assist in assigning and coordinating credits听across the graduate curriculum and supervised practice experiences. Students will receive guidance on course registration and credit distribution based on the program timeline and requirements.

Applications must be completed by August 1, prior to the start of the internship.


Your Pathway to Dietetic Success: Key Dates & Milestones

To graduate and be eligible to sit for the credentialing registration exam (RDN exam), interns must complete the required number of supervised practice hours. Interns meet at least once per month for FN-865 class, referred to as 'Seminar.' Interns are informed of the seminar schedule during orientation and supervised practice rotations will be provided to interns at the orientation meeting. Rotations vary from year to year depending on facilities and the fluctuating calendar.

Students display seed library.
Aspect15-Month MS/DI Pathway9-Month DI Pathway
Introductory MeetingHeld in January.Held at the end of the spring semester in May or June.
OrientationBegins third or fourth week of May after Spring finals; runs for 1 week.Begins end of August or first week of September; runs for 1 week.
Start of Supervised PracticeStarts with Summer Pre-Session; Monday鈥揟hursday or Tuesday-Friday (32-hour work week).Starts first full week of September; Monday鈥揊riday.
Wrap-up Meeting / End of InternshipEnd of August after all interns complete their last rotation.Tentatively end of April or beginning of May.
Seminar ScheduleMonthly, tentatively Thursday or Friday at UW鈥揝tout or designated site; half virtual, half in person.Monthly, Thursday or Friday at UW鈥揝tout or designated site; half virtual, half in person.
Scheduled HolidaysJuly 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (and possibly Friday after), Christmas Holiday Break, Memorial Day.Thanksgiving Day (and possibly Friday after), Christmas Holiday Break.
Conference AttendanceMandatory attendance at WAND or FNCE for professional development.Mandatory attendance at WAND or FNCE for professional development.
Annual Preceptor ReceptionScheduled at end of 9-month Pathway; all interns attend and present a case study.Scheduled at end of 9-month Pathway; interns present a case study.

Expenses

 


Estimated Expenses

This internship prepares you to sit for the registered dietitian (RD) exam turning your investment into a rewarding career where you can make a meaningful impact by sustaining communities from within.

Program Costs

Estimated Fees 2024-2025Cost
Internship Program (15 graduate credits)WI Residents: $8,147.55
MN Reciprocity: $9,984.90
Midwest Tuition Rate: $11,510.25
Non-Residents: $15,699.15 
黑料社区 Dietetics Internship Program ID BadgeIncluded in non-refundable fee
Median Rent Cost Per Month for On-Campus Housing/Housing in the Menomonie Area$500
Student Health Insurance Plan Through 黑料社区 or Other Health Insurance plan$1,400-$1,500
Liability Insurance (with required AND student membership)$50-$90
Laboratory Coat$40 (varies)
Background Check$30-50
Student Membership to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)$58
TransportationInterns are responsible for their own reliable transportation and all associated costs.
State AND Conference$150 and up
Medical Exam, Tests and ImmunizationsCosts vary
Laptop computer with the ability to scan to submit assignments and projectsAmounts vary
Cost of Graduate Credits & More

Cost of Graduate Credits

Interns in the UW鈥揝tout Dietetic Internship Program enroll as non-degree seeking students, which means they are not eligible for federal financial aid through UW鈥揝tout. However, interns may pursue private or personal loans to cover tuition costs and are typically eligible for loan deferments during the internship period. Interns are required to register for a total of 15 graduate credits in FN-865 Supervised Practice in Medical Nutrition Management: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Interns may choose to: Pay the full tuition amount at the time of registration, or Enroll in a payment plan through UW鈥揝tout 黑料社区. Student Business Services. 黑料社区 graduate students who plan on completing our internship program are eligible to apply for up to $4000 in scholarships to help cover internship expenses. See the Foundation Scholarships for more details.

Transportation Costs

Interns are responsible for their own reliable transportation. Costs of maintaining a vehicle and expenses from driving to sites are also the responsibility of the intern. Costs will vary depending on the distance to each site and could be substantial depending on the different rotation sites for each intern. All interns are expected to arrive in a timely manner for all activities associated with the rotations and the internship in general. This includes attendance to professional meetings and required workshops and conferences. Therefore, the cost of transportation should be factored into the total cost of the program.

Housing Costs

Interns are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing costs. Interns may choose to live where they desire. See the University Housing website for information on current university housing if living in the Menomonie area.

Health Insurance

All interns will need to show proof of health insurance prior to starting the internship. The health insurance must be for the entire internship. Cost of health insurance is the intern 黑料社区. responsibility. As a graduate student at 黑料社区, you would be able to buy health insurance through the university if you are not covered by your parents or spouse.

Professional Liability Insurance

Interns are required to have proof of professional liability insurance prior to starting rotations. Interns are responsible for buying the liability insurance. The insurance needs to cover the entire internship year (August 鈥 May). As a member of AND, this insurance is available through , and is endorsed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

State AND Conference

Interns will attend their state 黑料社区. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual conference. The conference is typically held in April and is two days long. The cost of registration for the conference will vary. Interns are also responsible for hotel and transportation costs to attend the conference. Interns will register for the conference on their own when registration becomes available.

Background Check

All interns will need to have a background check completed prior to starting the internship. All rotation sites require this to work in their facility. If your preceptor requires a copy of your background check, the DI program will provide it to the preceptor. If the facility requires a drug screening prior to beginning rotation, the intern must comply. If the facility requires fingerprinting prior to beginning rotation, the intern must comply. To complete the background check go to . The cost is ~$33.

Medical Exams, Tests & Immunizations

All interns must have a physical exam conducted within nine months prior to the start of the internship and provide a written statement from the licensed health care professional attesting to the condition of the intern 黑料社区. health. Interns must also provide proof of the immunizations and tests that fulfill the requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the CDC guidelines, and the affiliation agreements between the University of Wisconsin-Stout and the supervised practice sites. Required immunizations and tests include these and may also include others:

  • A physician signed health/physical examination within 6 months prior to start of internship with official records and dates of all vaccinations and immunizations, including:
    • 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to prove immunity to measles, mumps and rubella
    • Proof of immunity to chicken pox (a titer is required if you have had chicken pox) or 2 vaccinations
    • 2 Step TB Test which will be valid through the completion of the program (some rotations require additional)
    • Tetanus immunization within the past 10 years.
    • Flu shot for current season
    • Drug Test - 10 panel
    • Hepatitis B - 3 shot series. A titer is recommended to show immunity.
    • COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended but not mandatory.

Graduation-Requirements

 


Graduation & Program Completion Requirements

Completion of the Dietetic Internship Program and Verification Statements

 

Requirements for Dietetic Internship Completion

Completion of the Dietetic Internship requirements must be satisfactorily completed before the ACEND verification statement is provided. For successful completion of the DI program, the following must be met:

  • Successful completion of all internship rotations. Performance and successful completion are informed through formative and summative evaluation by preceptors, the internship director/coordinator, and the intern.
    • Completion of the required number of supervised practice hours
    • Completion of all assignments and projects with a satisfactory rating
    • Completed evaluation forms
  • Graduate-level performance in seminar activities. The internship seminar is conducted as a classroom course. Evaluation techniques that are common to classroom formats are employed. For example, interns may be evaluated on case study presentations, responses to written questions, ability to articulate site and internship expectations and experiences, papers and examinations.
  • A strong e-portfolio rating. Interns develop a formative portfolio during each site experience. The electronic portfolio is planned with preceptor input. Examples of appropriate portfolio items include case studies, chart notes and assessments, handouts or summaries from conferences and continuing education programs attended, nutrition education materials developed or modified, results of evaluations, special projects or tasks (e.g., menu analysis or development), quality improvement activities, reports or contributions to facility reports, and intern-centered goals.
  • Successful performance on practice exams. Our internship provides you with access to a credentialling exam preparation course. Minimum score of 鈥減roficient鈥 in each practice domain is required prior to taking the RDN exam.
  • For those students who do not have a master 黑料社区. degree awarded at admission, a verification statement will not be granted until all supervised practice requirements are completed, and the graduate degree is awarded. A graduate degree is awarded after successful completion of the 30 course credits of our MS Nutrition and Dietetics program.
  • Assessment of Prior Learning or Competence. Credit for prior learning/competence can be granted for individuals who have documentation from a recent (within 2 years) ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program. Please work with your previous internship director to submit all assessment documents from your former experience. Up to 500 experiential learning hours will be accepted based on the Internship Director and Coordinator evaluation of your documents. The evaluation of your submitted documents will inform a plan for successful completion of the UW Stout Dietetic Internship.

The internship director provides five verification statements to the graduating intern and sends documentation to The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) informing the CDR that internship requirements have been met. A copy of the verification statement, length of rotations documenting a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice, which includes 160 hours of alternative experiences, for a total of 1160 hours.

During the conclusion of the internship, the intern is given information to assist in the online Registration Eligibility application process.

Applying to Take the Registration Examination

All candidates approved as examination eligible automatically receive an authorization to test email from Pearson VUE, the Commission on Dietetic Registration 黑料社区. testing vendor. This email will explain the process to schedule your exam and create login credentials for Pearson VUE 黑料社区. website. If you have not received your authorization to test email within 48 hours of receiving your CDR eligibility email, please contact Pearson VUE customer service at 888-874-7651. Candidates who established eligibility previously must request reauthorization to test. Candidates must contact the Commission on Dietetic Registration by email (cdrexams@eatright.org) or online at cdrnet.org to request examination reauthorization.

Once eligibility to test has been certified by CDR, candidates will receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE. The Authorization to Test email contains a personal CDR Candidate ID and dates of initial authorization. It also includes instructions regarding creating an account with Pearson VUE and the web address where the exam may be scheduled. A copy of this email should be kept in a secure location.

State Licensure/Certification

After obtaining your RDN credential, you may wish to pursue state licensure/certification. This program is designed to meet the requirements for licensure in the State of Wisconsin. If you reside outside of Wisconsin, please note that 黑料社区 cannot confirm whether this program (or course) meets the requirements for professional licensure in your state. Students from other states will need to contact their state regarding licensure requirements. Please refer to the .

Once the intern has passed the RDN exam, they must complete paperwork to become either licensed or certified in the state in which they plan to pursue employment. Each state requires different forms for this submission. It is best for each individual intern to research their state 黑料社区. requirements. 

 

Internship Policies & Procedures

Students preparing for 黑料社区's Dietetics Internship program should fully review and understand the internship policies and procedures.

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Internship Accreditation

The University of Wisconsin-Stout Dietetic Internship is currently granted continuing accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 ext. 5400.

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