Dietetic Internship

The University of Maryland College Park Department of Nutrition and Food Science (NFSC) sponsors a Dietetic Internship with an emphasis in Information Management and Communication/Nutrition Informatics. This 44-week full time program is located in the Baltimore-Washington area. The tuition cost is $8,550 plus personal expenses. The program is accredited to accept up to 12 selected interns in each yearly cohort.

The University of Maryland (UMD) uses ten diverse supervised practice rotations to provide both strong clinical and community training. Food Service rotations explore “food as medicine” in hospitals, Farm2School and school settings. UMD utilizes technology/nutrition informatics to become more efficient in practice, extend our reach to new clients/groups, and enhance our digital proficiency. Nutrition Informatics is the intersection of information, nutrition, and technology.  Source: http://www.himss.org/library/nutrition-informatics.           

Program Sponsors

• The University of Maryland College Park
• Department of Nutrition and Food Science
• University Dining Services

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides information on the requirements and pathways to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

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 this requirement, visit CDR’s website.

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 Dietetic Internship program at the University of Maryland are eligible to to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Interns must achieve all competencies identified in the Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Programs established by ACEND. Program graduates will receive a verification statement enabling them to register for the CDR exam to earn the registered dietitian nutritionist credential.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Licensure is required to practice in the state of Maryland and Washington, DC.

“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.”

The University of Maryland College Park Dietetic Internship has been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND.

The next ACEND accreditation review is scheduled for December 2024. The UMD dietetic internship is accredited through December 31, 2025.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 
Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400 
http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND 
Email: acend@eatright.org

Are the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) required?

No, the GREs are not required.

What kind/level of computer skills are needed?

Candidates should have standard ability to use Microsoft Office suite and an interest in learning more. 

For remote/hybrid rotations and class days, what technology requirements are needed?

For any remote rotations or class days, you will need access to a computer, the internet, and you will need to be proficient in utilizing web-based video-conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.

Are phone or in-person interviews possible?

Due to Covid-19, all interviews will be done via Zoom. 

Are the interview dates flexible?

No, the dates are set by the program. They will occur in Late January to mid-February, 2025 and are scheduled in advance so that the interviewing team and candidates can reserve time on their schedules. 

Am I considered a University Maryland student?

Interns are University of Maryland Outreach Students and eligible for select university services.  

How much time does the internship require of an intern per week?

It is expected that most weeks will involve 35-40 hours (excluding travel) for supervised experience and class days. In addition, interns will have reading assignments and homework relating to each rotation. 

How often do interns meet together?

Interns generally see the rest of the internship class once a week at class days. We hold a mixture of in-person and virtual class days current class. At times, when possible, interns complete some rotations (not clinical) in partnered pairs.

Are meals provided at the rotations?

Some food service rotations provide meals, but otherwise meals are not typically provided.

Is parking provided at the rotations?

Parking at many facilities is free. The program pays for parking on UMCP campus.

Can I come visit the program?

You may contact the Program Director, Anyea Lovette, (alovette@umd.edu) if you would like to set up a visit. We urge anyone interested in our program to attend one of our virtual open houses. If after attending a virtual open house you have additional questions, you may reach out to the internship team or our current interns for additional information. 

When are the Virtual Open Houses?

Our Virtual Open House dates will be listed on the main internship home page.

How are the program's preceptors selected? Are they paid to provide intern experiences?

The program's preceptors are selected based on their willingness to take interns and skill level in their area of practice. Many of our rotation sites have also requested interns, as it is their hope to hire our graduates into their clinical, community, food service and/or information technology sites. No preceptor is paid to provide an experience to interns; all preceptors know they will be working extra hours themselves in order to precept the intern and also do their own jobs. Our preceptors want interns because they like to teach. 

Are the preceptors always the same for all interns?

For some rotations the preceptors are the same for all the interns, but for others they are not (e.g. clinical rotations).

Do interns have a say in their sites?

Site determination is made by the internship director who takes into account many factors, including the experience of staff/ preceptors at site, willingness of site to have interns, staffing at site at point of rotation and the distance intern would drive to reach rotation site. 

Are there any required assignments for interns prior to the program starting?

Yes, there are a limited number of summer assignments. These include an information technology self-assessment, writing a bio, a 3-day grocery list for couple on a limited income, a review of writing PES statements, a medical terminology review, and a training on cultural competence which are due prior to orientation. 

Are there exams or tests throughout the year?

There are either oral and/or written quizzes with some lectures/rotations. The focus is on the ability to apply information rather than scoring a grade on a test.

What are the job opportunities after graduation from the program?

As noted above, most of our facilities are providing supervised practice experience as it is their hope to be able to hire our interns once they graduate from the program. There are also many other job opportunities in the Baltimore-Washington area for new graduates.

Are there any medical or other requirements when the intern enters the program?

Yes, all interns must have the following medical documentation:

1. Immunization records for MMR or titers documenting prior vaccination;
2. Record of negative QuantiFeron or Tspot for Tuberculosis (UMD no longer accepts PPD) prior to program start;
3. Record of tetanus shot – Tdap in past 10 years;
4. Record of Chicken Pox/ varicella vaccination plus blood test to document vaccination is still effective;
5. Record of hepatitis B vaccination;
6. Health screening by primary care provider;
7. Flu shots, which are obtained after the start of the program; and
8. It is expected that many facilities will also require COVID-19 vaccination once it becomes more available. 

Interns are also required to carry medical and professional liability insurance. Each intern must have a car and carry automobile liability insurance, so that they can provide their own transportation throughout the program.

Are intern policies and procedures available?

Yes, all intern policies and procedures are listed here. 

 Can I do my internship part-time?

No, not at this time. We are accredited to be a full time program. A minimum of 35-40 hours is required per week during the internship. 

Can I work at one of my facilities and still get paid while I am there as an intern?

Yes and no. You can work after internship hours are over (weekends and evenings). You CANNOT be paid for the hours you spend as an intern. The rule is that you may not replace a full time employee while training as an intern. If you were both working and functioning as an intern there would be a conflict of interest. While in a facility as an intern, you should be learning and working on project/homework assignments.

Does the program evaluate and award credit for prior learning experiences, such as coursework or supervised practice hours?

 

The University of Maryland does not generally award any exemption from internship rotations/ assignments for any prior credit-based courses; exceptions are at the discretion of the DI Director with input from the Department Chair and/or the Internship Advisory Committee.

Interns working or volunteering part-time on weekends in nutrition-related jobs (e.g. WIC, hospital nutrition department etc.) may be able to count these hours as additional supervised practice hours. The Internship Director will evaluate each case on an individual basis, upon request of the intern. The Internship Director will conduct an evaluation of these specific experiences in order to receive supervised practice hours utilizing comparison of job/ volunteer experience against specific CRDN competency requirements. All decisions are made solely at the discretion of the Internship Director.

Interns may also accrue additional supervised practice hours at optional community weekend events that occur throughout the internship’s 10.5 month program if approved by the Internship Director. The policy of Prior Learning Credit can be found here.