Overview of the Dietetic Internship Program

Established in 2010, Cedar Crest College’s highly competitive, community-focused dietetic internship program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Graduates of the program will earn a verification statement demonstrating that they have met the competencies established by ACEND.  The program’s comprehensive curriculum with essential experiences both in the classroom and in the community will prepare graduates for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian. 

Program Highlights

• Participates in the April DICAS Match
• Enrolls 25 students annually in two tracks; 10 onsite and 15 remote (distance)
• Onsite and remote interns experience identical education curriculum
• Meets the mandatory 1,200 hours of supervised practice to help prepare for entry-level practice as outlined in the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy)
• Length of rotations in Clinical, Foodservice, and Community are structured to allow the intern to equally explore possible career paths.
• Two concentration options in diabetes or community nutrition.
• Supervised practice rotations run from August until April.   
• One week orientation at Cedar Crest campus with hands on simulation practice experiences (scheduled in July before Internship begins)
• Interns will earn 12 or 18 graduate credits (depending on track) during the internship which are fully transferable into Cedar Crest College’s ONLINE graduate program (Master’s in Nutrition)
• After successful completion of the Dietetic Internship, interns will be able to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam* and become credentialed as a registered dietitian-nutritionist.

*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 to RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RDN.

For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students

Accreditation Status

The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The contact information for ACEND is:

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995

312-899-0040 ext. 5400
1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400
ACEND@eatright.org
https://www.eatright.org/ACEND