Dietetic Internship

Admission Requirements for Dietetic Internship

Applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics or an equivalent program from an accredited educational institution. A strong background in science and high academic performance are essential. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for acceptance into the program.

It is highly recommended that students have paid or volunteer experience in all three areas of clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service administration.

All applicants must complete an internship application via the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) system. This centralized application platform includes a personal statement, three letters of recommendation (one reference related to work experience and two references related to academic performance), all official transcripts, and a DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent. (https://portal.dicas.org/) Required supplemental application materials include completion of a Bastyr University dietetic internship application and nonrefundable $75 application fee.

All application materials must be received by the February application deadline date established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Interns begin the program in September and complete the program in June of the next calendar year. Applicants are informed of acceptance through the designated computer matching system, D&D Digital.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Meet eligibility requirements to write the registration examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
• Demonstrate all the competencies required to practice as a competent entry-level dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
• Provide exceptional nutrition and dietetic practice to individuals and institutions that effectively supports integrated health care, incorporating whole foods, complementary medicine perspectives and environmental considerations into nutrition care and protocols.

Expected Competencies

Interns are required to pass all internship graduate courses with a grade of achieved competency (AC) and must have demonstrated competency in all learning outcomes. (The achieved-competency-based grading system is explained in the Grading Policy, Naturopathic Medicine and Dietetic Internship section in this catalog.) Graduates of the program meet eligibility requirements to write the registration examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Bastyr internship graduates are qualified to provide exceptional nutrition and dietetic services to individuals and institutions and contribute positively to the nutrition awareness and health education of the community. 

Upon achieving the RDN credential, graduates are responsible for contacting the Department of Health or other governing agency for the state(s) in which they practice, as each state may have unique requirements for attaining either licensure or certification in order to practice nutrition services. Prospective and current students should contact the states in which they wish to practice by referencing the University's listing of professional programs and state licensing/certification agencies for their programs at Professional Licensing/Certification Agencies by State or District.

Accreditation Status

The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400, email: acend@eatright.org, website: www.eatright.org/acend, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional program information, including goals and objectives measured to assess program effectiveness, costs to interns and the program content, may be found at www.Bastyr.edu/Academics/Areas-Study/Study-Nutrition/Nutrition-Dietetic-Internship. Program policies and procedures are made available to accepted applicants in the annually revised Bastyr University Dietetic Internship Handbook. Program outcomes data are available upon request.