Skip To Content

The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship offers 5 different options for master’s completion and a stand-alone DI program for those who have already enrolled in or completed a graduate program.  Established in 2010, our 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 will prepare graduates for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian.

Program Highlights

  • Enrolls 30 interns annually (up to 18 distance interns) 
  • 18-24 month timeline for DI and master’s program 
  • 10 month timeline for stand alone DI  
  • Concentrations in Community Nutrition or Diabetes  
  • Participates in the Spring Application Cycle through DICAS  
  • Offers Pre-admit program for Cedar Crest DPD students  
  • Identical coursework and faculty support for both onsite and distance interns 
  • In-person orientation with simulated patient experiences (required for onsite and distance interns) 
  • Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and meets ACEND’s required 1,000 hours of supervised practice 
  • Prepares interns to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) RD exam with weekly exam practice throughout all rotations 
  •  Offers five pathways to complete an ONLINE graduate program*: 
  • After successful completion of the Dietetic Internship and a graduate degree, interns will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) RD exam.* A passing score enables credentialing as a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN).

Becoming a Registered Dietitian:

There are several pathways to become an RDN. Cedar Crest College utilizes the following pathway:

  • Step 1: Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) with Verification Statement
  • Step 2: Complete a minimum of 1000 supervised practice hours through an accredited dietetic internship
  • Step 3: Complete a minimum of a master’s degree by a university regionally accredited by a USDE recognized accrediting agency* (master’s degree can occur prior to a dietetic internship or in combination with a DI) 
  • Step 4: Receive a DI verification statement (both the DI and master’s degree must be completed in order to obtain this)
  • Step 5: Successfully pass the national registration examination for registered dietitian nutritionists.
    • 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) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).   

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

RDN Credentialing:

Interns who pass the national registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will have earned the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential. To maintain credentials, the RDN must complete a total of 75 continuing education credits every 5 year cycle and pay required fees outlined by CDR.  

Dietetics Licensure: 

After the RDN credential is obtained, state licensure or certification may be applied for if applicable. 
In addition to RDN credentialing, many states (including Pennsylvania) have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Please refer to the Academy’s information on licensure statutes.
 

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.

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 on state licensure, please visit www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure  

Want to learn more?

Dive A Little Deeper

The DI requires the intern to take 12 graduate credits.  The DI- required didactic courses align with each supervised practice rotation to further enhance learning and application of concepts.  Attending virtual classes is mandatory as determined by each instructor.  Students are informed of their progress in graduate coursework through feedback and grades earned on case studies, live discussions, papers, presentations, or other assigned work. All required DI required graduate coursework must be completed independently and successfully to complete the internship.   Onsite and distance interns complete the didactic classes in the same virtual classrooms.

The DI-required courses include:

  • NTR 572 66: Clinical Nutrition (3 credits)
  • NTR 572 70: Clinical Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 573 66: Food Service Management (3 credits)
  • NTR 573 70: Food Service Management Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 574 66: Community Nutrition (3 credits)
  • NTR 574 70: Community Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 575 66: Advanced Community Nutrition (3 credits) 
  • NTR 575 70: Advanced Community Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)

All interns must have a master’s degree or be enrolled in a master’s degree to complete the DI.  Accepted interns have the option of enrolling in one of the following CCC onlinegraduate programs:

  1. Master in Nutrition
  2. Master in Integrative Exercise Science
  3. Master of Professional Studies
  4. Master of Public Health
  5. Master of Business Administration

 The respective program director will work with each intern to determine the graduate course schedule.  Master’s course schedule and DI schedules are integrated to allow for successful completion of both programs simultaneously.  The DI provides up to 12 embedded master’s credits that count towards the completion of the above degrees.  Students may alternately choose to apply 6 credits toward the Master of Business Administration degree by Advisement.  Part-time enrollment options are available and can be discussed with the DI Director/ Master’s Program Director.    

Upcoming Admissions Events

Nov 16
  • Sat
  • 2:00PM
Dietetic Internship On-Campus Open House Learn More
Dec 05
  • Thu
  • 7:00PM
Dietetic Internship Virtual Open House Learn More
Jan 08
  • Wed
  • 12:00PM
Dietetic Internship Virtual Open House Learn More

Cooperative Agreements

Our Dietetic Internship program works with over 60 local partners and 60 distance partners. You can check out our our partnerships here!

Cedar Crest Accounting Students in the Classroom

How To Apply

Ready to apply as a graduate student?

Cedar Crest student smiling on campus

Accreditation

ACEND Accreditation

The Cedar Crest College undergraduate Nutrition degree program and the Dietetic Internship Program are 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:
Website: eatrightpro.org/ACEND

Faculty & Staff

Who’s teaching you is as important as the curriculum you choose.
Let’s put a face to some of the names you’ll be seeing on the course listings!

Contact:
two women in white lab coats discussing something together