The educational philosophy of the Dietetic Internship is that the best learning occurs when students are challenged to apply content and concepts to the real world. Both students and instructors are responsible for focusing on active learning and holistic understanding of nutrition/dietetics concepts.
Our Mission
To prepare a diverse group of students as entry level registered dietitian nutritionists for successful careers in dietetics and encourage students to assume leadership roles in their profession and in society.
Accreditation
The Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 3800/877-1600 ext 5400.
ACEND Accreditation Standards
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Program Goals and Objectives
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Internship Expenses
Housing
$500/month for single room
Meals at internship site
$6-10/day (some are free)
Public Transportation
$4/day
Personal Transportation
$300-750/year
Liability Insurance
$42/year
Required Immunizations*
$0-195 depending on insurance coverage
CPR certification
$85
Internship site requirements
$0-225
ACEMAPP Membership
$50
Laptop
$200-$500 See DI handbook for UGA technology lending/rental services
* Students may be required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination to supervised practice site officials to participate and complete our program.
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Assistantships
Some graduate-dietetic internship students receive financial aid in the form of teaching and research assistantships. When receiving an assistantship, students earn a stipend of $14,000 to $30,000 annually, depending on the required hours, by serving as research or teaching assistants. Tuition is reduced to $25/semester, but students must pay UGA student fees (about $2,200 annually). Students are not eligible for assistantship stipends in summer semesters while doing their internships.
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Financial Aid & Support
Some graduate-dietetic internship students receive financial aid in the form of teaching and research assistantships. When receiving an assistantship, students earn a stipend of $14,000 to $30,000 annually, depending on the required hours, by serving as research or teaching assistants. Tuition is reduced to $25/semester, but students must pay UGA student fees (about $2,200 annually). Students are not eligible for assistantship stipends in summer semesters while doing their internships.
Scholarships, low interest loans, and other types of financial assistance are available at UGA through the Student Financial Aid Department and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Applicants are encouraged to contact these offices directly to learn more. The Dietetic Internship Director can direct applicants to additional opportunities if requested.
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Program Length
The MS/DI takes a full 2 years to complete. Supervised Practice rotations are scheduled over 2 consecutive summers. Summers typically cover 8-10 weeks of rotations, for a total of 18-20 40-hour work weeks over 2 summers. Additional supervised practice hours are completed during academic years.
For PhD students, the program is typically completed in 4-5 years. The supervised practice hours are completed during the first 24 months of the PhD program with some additional coursework during the academic year for a total of 1200 hours. The Dietetics Internship Program Director must receive an official transcript confirming completion of the Ph.D. in order to issue a Verification Statement, which is neccessary in order to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
See Dietetic Internship Handbook for sample rotation schedule.
The Dietetic Internship Program follows the UGA Academic Calendar.
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Program Completion Requirements
Students will complete all program requirements for the MS Thesis or PhD as well as the additional requirements for Dietetic Interns listed below. In order to complete the graduate degree and dietetic internship and to receive a Verification Statement the following are required:
- Successful completion of all rotations, totaling 1200 hours of supervised practice
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Dietetic Interns must register for an additional 18 credits of NUTR 7910 (9 credits for each of 2 summers).
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Dietetic Interns must register for additional 8 credits of NUTR 7911 (2 credits each fall and spring semester, for two years).
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- Submission of evaluation forms, competency checklists, work samples as required from each rotation
- Complete an exit interview with the Program Director, and complete requisite CDR forms
- Completion of 31 semester credit hours, plus 26 semester credit hours for the internship supervised practice experiences (including summers) for MS/DI or completion of 46 semester credit hours, plus 26 semester credit hours for the internship supervised practice experiences (includes summers) for PhD/DI
- Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA with no incompletes in any graduate course
- Successful completion and defense of thesis/dissertation
- Submission of all requisite forms to the Graduate School
- Successful completion of all rotations, totaling 1200 hours of supervised practice
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Certification and Licensure
In most states, including Georgia, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure Information.
Upon completion of our program, and passing the CDR credentialing exam for RDNs, graduates are eligible for licensure in Georgia. Information about licensure in Georgia can be found at this link: Georgia Licensure for RDNs. Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in nutrition and dietetics can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.
Becoming an RD
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. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited MS/DI program at The University of Georgia are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.