Applicants must have a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Program (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) and must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics or an equivalent program granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent. This is considered the first step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Applicants applying to this ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program will be completing the supervised practice step toward achieving the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Following successful completion of this internship, internship graduates will be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination, the requirements of which are established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Passing that exam results in the ability to use the RDN credential. Maintaining the RDN credential requires ongoing professional development.
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). This requirement will not change the admission requirements noted above for the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship. However, those who successfully complete the program but have not previously earned a master’s degree will be required to do so in order to become eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Each state in which an RDN practices will have its own scope of practice and requirements for obtaining certification or licensure. In the state of Washington, RDNs apply to become Certified Dietitians (CDs) with the Washington State Department of Health. Requirements for this certification include having the RDN credential, holding a degree in nutrition, and completing an approved HIV-training course. Information and an application packet for certification in the State of Washington can be found here.
Application Process
To be a competitive candidate for this program, a strong background in science and high academic performance are essential. Using a 4.0 scale, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for acceptance into the program. Experience, whether volunteer or paid, in clinical nutrition (hospital or long-term patient care), quantity food service and community nutrition is highly desirable. Finalist candidates will be evaluated in a telephone interview.
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship participates in the spring computer matching application process. Applicants to the internship must submit their application materials through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) by the February 15, 2020 11:50 pm Central Time deadline established by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Fees associated with this centralized application process are $45 for the first application, and $20 for each additional application.
All portions of the DICAS application are expected to be completed or uploaded in order for the applicant to be considered for the program. For the recommendation letters, it is preferred that two be from academic references and one be a work or volunteer supervisor professional reference.
Supplemental Materials:
In addition, a supplemental Bastyr University application for certificate and non-degree programs is required for the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship, along with a $75 application fee. Click here to fill out the Bastyr University application. This supplemental application is also due no later than February 15, 2020, 11:59 pm Central Time.
Computer Matching
Applicants to the internship must participate in computer matching. Applicants must register and enter their priority choices online on the D&D Digital website (http://www.dnddigital.com/) by the February 15, 2020 11:59 pm Central Time Zone Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics deadline. At the time of registration, a $55 registration fee via credit card is required. Applicants who have registered for the match by February, 15, 2020 can reorder their internship priority rankings up to 11:59 pm Central Time on March 30, 2020.
Applicant matching results will be posted on www.dnddigital.com (http://www.dnddigital.com/) beginning at 6:00 pm Central Time, Sunday, April 5, 2020. Matched applicants must contact the DI Program by 6:00 pm (time zone of the program), Monday, April 6, 2020 to confirm acceptance of the match.
D&D Digital
3100 S. Riverside Dr.P.O. Box 887Ames, Iowa 50010Website: www.dnddigital.comPhone: (515) 292-0490Email: dnd@sigler.com