Dietetic Internship Program

For a student to become a credentialed RDN, they must:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree with coursework or satisfactorily complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
2. Complete an ACEND accredited post-baccalaureate dietetic internship (DI).
3. Pass the national registration examination for Dietitians.

• A license to practice dietetics in the State of Florida is required by law and is regulated by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance of the Florida State Department of Health.

• Applicants must have completed or been in the process of completing an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
• Applicants must be accepted into one of the MS programs in the department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences at Florida State University – you can apply through the FSU Admissions website.
• Additional information about the application process for the Dietetic Internship (DI) can be found on the page for prospective Dietetic Internship (DI) students.

For withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees information, please refer to the FSU policy: https://financialaid.fsu.edu/resources/financial-aid-processes/title-iv-withdrawal

The mission of the Florida State University’s Dietetic Internship (DI), which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), is to provide a post-baccalaureate route for students to complete the experiential requirements needed to write the national registry examination for certification as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). The program is designed for the preparation of entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) through supervised practice in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, and food service systems management
to enhance their understanding of, and ability to apply principles of nutrition science and dietetics beyond the baccalaureate or DPD level.

The mission of the Dietetic Internship (DI) is consistent with the mission of the University, which is to serve as a center for advanced graduate and professional studies. It is also consistent with the mission of the College of Health and Human Sciences Department of Integrative Physiology, which is to enhance the well being of individuals and families through educational activities focused on research, health, the environment, and technology. The philosophy of the program is to prepare graduate students who desire advanced academic and professional training to meet the need for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), and to become professionals who can seek innovative solutions to the challenges of contemporary society.

Goal 1: Graduates will become successful, competent registered dietitians in a timely manner.

• Objective 1: 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 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) is least 80%.
• Objective 2: At least 90% of employers/supervisors who responded to the survey will express satisfaction with the performance of the FSU DI program graduates.
• Objective 3: At least 80% of program dietetic interns complete the program/degree requirements within thirty-six months (150% of the program length).
• Objective 4: Objective 4: At least 80% of the program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) within 12 months of the program completion.
• Objective 5: At least 80% of program dietetic interns will agree that their Dietetic Internship (DI) experiences provided opportunities to practice core competencies expected of the entry level registered dietitian.