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 30 interns annually in two tracks; 12-15 onsite and 15-18 distance
• Provides onsite and distance interns identical education curriculum
• Meets the mandatory supervised practice hours to prepare for entry-level practice as outlined by ACEND of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy)
• Allows interns to explore multiple possible career paths due to structure or rotations in Clinical, Foodservice, and Community
• Offers two concentration options in community nutrition or diabetes nutrition education
• Runs supervised practice rotations from August until April.
• Provides hands-on orientation with simulated practice experiences (scheduled in August before the Internship begins)
• Awards interns 12 or 18 graduate credits which are fully transferable into one of the Cedar Crest College’s ONLINE graduate programs:
• Master in Nutrition
• Modular Master of Science
• Master of Science in Integrative Exercise Science
• After successful completion of the Dietetic Internship, interns will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) RD exam* and a passing score enables credentialing as a registered dietitian-nutritionist.

*Like other health care professions, RDNs must take and pass a national board registration examination to earn the RDN certification. The RDN exam is a computer-based exam that covers the content in the three major areas of dietetics: clinical, community, and food service.

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, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND. 

In addition to RDN credentialing, many states (including Pennsylvania) 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.  Please refer to the Academy’s information on licensure statutes.

For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy’s Information for Students.

Accreditation Status

The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND is the specialized accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists. ACEND protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of dietetics programs as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The contact information for ACEND is:

Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600 ext. 5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website: eatrightpro.org/ACEND