Prospective ISPP Interns
Who is ISPP for?
If you earned a DPD verification statement but were not computer matched to a DI
OR
If you earned a doctoral degree from an accredited university (you do not need a DPD verification statement in this case), this scenario may require additional coursework
What is ISPP?
The academy announced the development of Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway, or ISPP (“ispeys”), in September 2011. An ISPP is an alternate ACENDaccredited pathway designed for students nationwide who did not receive a DI placement. Upon completion of the ISPP, students will be qualified to sit for the national board registration examination. Students in an ISPP are required to contact their own preceptors to set up their supervised practice experience. Therefore, they are able to customize their hours towards their individual needs. This also gives students the opportunity to count their previous dietetics-related work experience towards the ISPP. ISPPs may be able to be completed concurrently with a part-time time, allowing students to count paid work hours towards ISPP hours as well.
Commonly Answered Questions
- Yes it can be done part-time while student holds a part-time nutrition-related job.
- Students may be able to count previous dietetics experience toward their ISPP. Be sure to work with the program director to discuss eligibility and requirements.
- Provides an alternative pathway to qualify students who did not match to sit for the national board registration exam.
- May be able to count previous or current dietetics-related experience toward the ISPP, dependent on approval of the program director.
Read the newest version of the ISPP Handbook
Apply to the ISPP Internship Program
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round until all spots are filled.
- Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis annually until the allotted amount of seven (7) spots are filled
- Applicants are selected by the DI Director based on some or all of the following:
- GPA, a letter of intent, previous work experience and letters of reference (as well as the possibility of phone or face-to-face interview)
- No Match Form from D&D Digital or Transcripts of Nutrition related Doctoral Degree
- Applicants can apply for Prior Learning Credit towards Program Requirements
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 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: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.
Assessment of Prior Learning and Credit toward Program Requirements
Coursework older than six years will not be accepted for transfer credit. The university’s policy for acceptance of prior coursework is followed. Requests are reviewed on a case to case basis. Accepting prior experiences as it relates to supervised practice such as employment in areas such as WIC or Research is considered on a case to case basis depending on the intern’s job description and formal written acknowledgement from the work supervisor. Thus, work history is considered on an individual basis.
Application of Prior Leaning must be filled out in entirety to be evaluated by the DI Director.
“Florida State ISPP program gave me the opportunity to continue my path towards becoming an RD in a completely individualized dietetic internship while still having the guidance and resources that FSU offers. It allowed me to really focus on the areas of nutrition I am interested in while still gaining well rounded experiences”
-Erika Collette, Class of 2021