Dietetic Internship

To become a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RD or RDN), an individual must complete a three-step process:

1. Complete the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics academic requirements; receive a verification statement signed by the Director of the Didactic Program; and obtain a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete an ACEND accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship program).
3. Obtain a passing score on the national registration examination for RD or RDN credential, as administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Baylor University offers a 1000 hour supervised practice program with an inclusive 15 hours of graduate credit and an option of completing an MS degree. This program prepares interns for entry-level positions in the dietetics profession by providing learning experiences in medical nutrition therapy, public health/community nutrition, and management. 

Following completion of the dietetic internship program, the interns will meet the competencies for the RD/RDN as identified in the 2022 Standards for Nutrition Dietetics Internship Programs as required by ACEND.  Upon successful completion of the internship program, the interns are eligible for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to sit for the registration examination.  Upon passing the RD/RDN registration exam, individuals will be eligible to obtain licensure in Texas.  Details are available here.

Accreditation

Baylor University Dietetic Internship Program is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190

Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995

Phone: 

(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400

Email:

ACEND@eatright.org

Website:

www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Resources:

https://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/acend

The intern is protected from retaliation as a result of filing a complaint related to the dietetic internship program

*New Credentialing Requirements

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.