The University of Maryland College Park dietetic internship is a post-baccalaureate, certificate-based, supervised practice program that provides thorough training in general dietetics with an emphasis on Information Management and Communication/Nutrition Informatics. To apply, applicants must have earned a graduate degree or have a plan to complete a graduate degree by the end of the internship program. Applicants must also hold a valid verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). If applicants are in the process of completing their master's degree, they must be able to demonstrate a plan that outlines how their coursework and degree will be completed by the end of the internship program. The internship program provides training and experience to comply with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics 2022 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards.
Many learning experiences are planned for the intern to broaden his/her scope of the dietetics field with an emphasis on the application of information technology/nutrition informatics. Through supervised practice experiences at many off-site facilities, the intern develops a diverse range of skills, has an opportunity to meet many potential role models and to develop a wide network of professional contacts in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Further, these varied experiences will assist interns in developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, effective communication skills, and collaborative team-building skills.
Registration Exam Pass Rate
For the three-year period of 2021-2023 – 91.7 percent of our graduates passed the national registration exam within one year of their first attempt.
Program Design
The 44-week program provides more than 1,000 supervised practice hours in clinical, community, food service management, and information technology. Each week is generally divided into four 8-hour days of supervised practice; the fifth day is devoted to class lectures, technology training, field trips and joint class days with area internship programs. Online web conferencing is also used. The program runs from August through June in the next year. There are two weeks of vacation during the last week of December and 2 weeks of orientation. One week of electives allow the intern to re-visit one area of practice and/or develop an individualized rotation in an area of special interest. On the first day of the program, the interns will receive an internship handbook. The handbook will include: program philosophy/mission, policies & procedures*, all program schedules, program outline, curriculum, reading lists for entire program*, evaluation forms, specific rotation guidelines, directions to supervised practice settings, and a miscellaneous section.
* This material is provided to interns during the first week of the program.
Commuting and Transportation
The internship director tries to consider commuting when assignment rotations sites. Please expect that commute times for most rotations can be up to an hour (could me more depending on traffic). Therefore, this program requires all interns to have a car as they will be commuting to sites by car throughout the metropolitan Baltimore-DC area. Public transportation is not available for many of the sites.
