About the Dietetic Internship

Our mission is to prepare entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who demonstrate knowledge, skills and values that enhance individual and community health through dietetics practice.

Program Goals and Objectives

• Prepare individuals who are competent to practice in the profession of nutrition and dietetics.
  • At least 80%t of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 42 months (150% of the program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • Ninety percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  • Eighty percent of employer surveys will report that interns have the necessary skills to practice as competent practitioners.
  • Eighty percent of program alumni will report being adequately prepared for professional practice.

• Prepare capable entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) for productive employment in a community nutrition and/or health promotion setting.
  • Over a three-year period, 50% of program alumni will report employment in a community nutrition/health promotion within one year of program completion.
  • Eighty percent of employer surveys will report that interns have the necessary skills to practice as competent practitioners in the community setting.
  • Eighty percent of program alumni working in the community will report being adequately prepared for practice.

Specific Concentration Competencies

• Disseminate health promotion education to community groups using technology.
• Demonstrate proficiency of skills during a professional practice rotation at a community-based program or community hospital.

Program outcomes are available upon request.

Required

• dietetic internship program application
• Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale
  • 2.75 Cumulative
  • 3.0 Major
  • 2.75 Science (preferred)
• Completion of (or intent to complete) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program
• Personal statement - 1,000 words or less
• Three letters of recommendation
  • Preferably two from academic instructors, one from work supervisor
• Completion of a minimum of 150 hours of dietetics-related work experience
• Official transcripts of undergraduate coursework
• Virtual interview
• Graduate School application
  • Note: Graduate School deadline dates differ from the dietetic internship application dates.
• $25 application fee for dietetic internship to NIU

Learn more about our application process.

Health Documentation

Required Documentation

Internship sites require that interns have completed the following health and insurance requirements prior to beginning on-site supervised practice experiences.

1. Sanitation Certification
   • Interns are required to pass a certification exam in food sanitation prior to beginning the on-site practicum experiences from either the National Restaurant Association (Serv-Safe) or from the state of Illinois.
   • The either the manager level course or the food handler course are acceptable.
2. First Aid and CPR
   One of the following:
   • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider course
   • American Heart Association Heartsaver course
   • American Red Cross CPR with AED
   • Certification via an online course is not acceptable. (A partial online course with an in-person hands-on component is OK).
3. Insurance 
   • Health (Medical) Insurance
     • Copy of insurance card (front and back) with intern’s name.
     • If the intern obtains medical assistance while on site, the intern is responsible for any costs incurred.
   • Liability Insurance
     • Professional liability insurance is provided through the College of Health and Human Sciences.
   • Auto Insurance
     • The university accepts no responsibility for your safety as you travel in your car to practicum sites. The state of Illinois and the dietetic internship Program require that you have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
4. Immunizations
   Interns must show proof of immunity to the following diseases:
   • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
   • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
   • Hepatitis B
   • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine or Booster
   • Tuberculosis (TB)
   • Flu shot: Current season flu shot — DUE DATE IS OCT. 1 during the second year of the program.
   • COVID-19 vaccinations are required by some external sites.
5. Drug Screen
   Interns are required to have a five-panel comprehensive drug screen that tests for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine, and opiates.
6. Criminal Background Check
   Interns are required to have a clean criminal background check.
7. HIPAA and infectious disease certification — completed in Blackboard.

Medical Terminology

If you have not completed a medical terminology course (verified by transcript), you will need to complete a medical terminology workbook prior to going on-site for MNT rotation.

Identification

The program will provide you with a nametag that identifies you as an intern from the NIU Internship Program.

Technology Requirements

Interns are expected to have access to a computer.  NIU offers several computer labs across campus that are open at various times throughout the week.  Additionally, a limited number of laptops and power cords are available for checkout to NIU students on a first-come, first-served basis at the Circulation Desk in Founders Memorial Library and in the Music Library. You need a valid OneCard to check out and return laptops. Please ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk or Research Help Desk. Additional resources are available through the Founders Learning Commons including assistive technology, a Tech Support Desk, and a digital media studio. 

NIU, including the DI, utilizes the learning management system, Blackboard.  All course materials can be found on Blackboard as well as assignments, timesheets, evaluations, and other required work will be submitted electronically through this platform. Students will be required to use their zID to log in, an authentication process will occur for initial log-ins.  Occasionally, Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, or Teams will be used for virtual class meetings, orientations, or guest speakers. Interns are expected to have technology to support and use both voice and camera in virtual classes and meetings.

Professional Memberships and Activities

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership is required throughout this program.

Continuing Professional Education Requirement
Interns are required to attend a minimum of 10 clock hours of professional meetings/continuing education during the program.

Tuition

Dietetic Interns pay tuition for both MS and DI courses. Check the Office of the Bursar website for most current costs.

Additional Costs

These are other estimated expenses associated with the program.

Graduate Assistantships

Interns are encouraged to apply for a graduate assistantship which pays for partial tuition and provides a modest stipend. Applications are available from the Graduate School and should be submitted to the SHS office in Wirtz Hall Room 209. Graduate assistant positions are not guaranteed.

Financial Aid and Fellowships

Student loans, grants, scholarships and other financial aid can be applied for through the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office on campus.

The dietetic internship follows the NIU academic calendar. All interns begin the program in August.

Step 1 - Graduate Coursework

• During the first two semesters, you are enrolled in graduate coursework (pre-practicum
  semesters).
• In the second pre-practicum semester, you will enroll in a one-semester-hour workshop (NUTR 652).
• NUTR 652 orients you to both the internship and profession. Interns may be encouraged to take coursework in summer in order to complete all requirements of the graduate degree
  simultaneously with DI completion.

Step 2 - Supervised Practice Experiences and Graduate Coursework

• After completion of the pre-practicum semesters, you will begin on-site supervised practice experiences while continuing to complete graduate coursework.
• You are engaged in supervised practice experiences during all four semesters.
• By taking coursework each semester, you can expect to finish the internship and M.S. degree simultaneously.
• After completing both the requirements of the internship and graduate program, program
  graduates' names will be submitted to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR) for eligibility to take the registration examination.

Course Information

We offer experiences across the spectrum of dietetics. Since this program is located in northern Illinois, 70 miles west of Chicago, we are fortunate to be located within driving distance of the western suburbs, and the city of Rockford. Although some sites are located in the DeKalb area and on campus, interns must have a reliable car and be willing to drive to sites that are located off campus.

• Food Service Management practicum: assigned to the NIU residential dining.
• Lifecycle Nutrition practicum: assigned to four different locations (WIC, school nutrition program, NIU Recreation and Wellness and long-term care facility).
• MNT practicum: assigned to one community hospital located within driving distance of DeKalb.
• Community Nutrition practicum: assigned to four sites:
  • Outpatient counseling clinics
  • Diabetes education clinics
  • Corporate sites
  • Wellness and health promotion sites
  • County health departments
  • Northern Illinois Food Bank
  • Grocery stores
  • Sports nutrition sites
  • Academy headquarters in Chicago
  • Eating disorder clinics (eating disorders and obesity students only)
• Professional Practice practicum: you'll return to a site that is an 'area of interest' for semi-staff relief.

Competency Assessment to Credit Prior Experience

• If you have significant experience in the field you may request to have your experiences evaluated for credit toward supervised practice hours.
• You will be asked to review the program competencies and provide a written statement and documented evidence regarding how your prior experiences achieved those competencies.
• The program director, a site preceptor working in that professional area, and a member of the admissions committee will review the submitted documentation to determine what credit, if any, would be given.

You will have satisfactorily completed the dietetic internship when you have successfully completed all the internship courses and all Graduate School requirements.

Interns are strongly advised to work closely with their academic advisor regarding their graduate course schedule to be sure that sufficient course work is being taken each semester for simultaneous completion of both the M.S. degree program and the dietetic internship program. You will receive the official "Verification Statement of dietetic internship Completion" only when all requirements of the M.S. degree program in Nutrition and Dietetics have been satisfied.

Upon completion of both the M.S. and DI programs, the official verification statement will be given to you, and your name will be submitted to the Commission of Dietetic Registration. At this time you will be eligible to sit for the RDN exam and apply for state licensure, if applicable.