CWU's dietetic internship is an integral part of the Health Sciences Department and strives to provide the highest quality program for our students which is focused on our mission, goals, and objectives.

Mission:  The mission of the CWU-DI is to prepare competent, entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. 

Program Goals and Objectives: 

• Goal #1 – Program graduates will become competent, entry level RDNs
  • At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within ​​​13.5 months​​​  (150% of planned program length)
  • At least  ​90%​ 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 first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
  • At least 90 % of employers will express satisfaction with graduate’s competence in entry level practice, 1 year following program completion
• Goal #2 – Program graduates will obtain employment within the nutrition profession following program completion
  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least ​90%​ percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Over 9 months, interns will complete 54 credits of supervised practice experience. 

Fall Quarter: Mid Sept - Orientation/rotations begin. NUTR 492a: Dietetic Practicum (18)

Winter Quarter: NUTR 492b: Dietetic Practicum (18)

Spring Quarter: NUTR 492c: Dietetic Practicum (18)

Supervised Practice Rotations

Dietetic interns complete their supervised practice experiences in a variety of sites under the direction of internship preceptors. Interns are primarily placed in three locations: Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, and the Tri-Cities. In each of these areas, the internship utilizes various health care facilities including hospitals, community clinics, health departments, and school district child nutrition service programs. Yakima Valley and Wenatchee are located in the midst of the Washington fruit and wine country. Tri-Cities is located further southeast of Ellensburg near the Columbia River. All three locations offer a variety of outdoor activities and natural, outdoor scenery and beauty. 

Every attempt is made to assign students to one of the three areas they prefer and completing supervised practice activities with a limited amount of commuting. However, commuting distances vary within the areas and it is not always possible for the intern to obtain the location they prefer. Additionally interns need to be prepared for commuting in winter driving conditions.

Program Completion Requirements

• Students must successfully complete all supervised practice rotations within 13.5 months of beginning the program (150% of normal program completion).
• Students must receive an S (satisfactory) grade in each of the Dietetic Practicum courses (NUTR 492a, 492b, 492c), in sequence.  To receive the S grade, interns must:

1. Complete all assignments for each rotation in the assigned/designated length of time with an M (meets criteria). 
2. Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and performance skills for competencies indicated for the rotation by receiving an M (meets criteria).
3. Receive an S (satisfactory) score on each rotation evaluation that occurs within the Dietetic Practicum course period. 
4. If any competencies on rotation evaluations are indicated as U (unsatisfactory) but the preceptor has determined the student to have an S score for the rotation, those U competencies must be improved and rated as S in the subsequent rotation.
5. A student must arrange in advance, with the internship director, to correct or make up missed assignments or assignments which do not meet the completion criteria.
6. Additional time in any rotation must be arranged in advance with the dietetic internship director.  Additional time will be allowed only for extenuating circumstances and when good progress has been made during the rotation.
7. In the event a dietetic practicum course is not successfully completed, it may not be repeated.

Internship Rotation Descriptions:

Medical Nutrition Therapy - 11 weeks
Over an eleven-week period, the dietetic intern will gradually assume the responsibilities of the clinical dietitian and will develop the competencies for an entry-level dietitian. Medical nutrition therapy is completed in smaller community hospitals as well as larger hospitals, so the dietetic intern obtains a well-rounded experience.
Alternate Rotation  - 3 weeks
The dietetic intern will spend 3 weeks working with a registered dietitian in a setting of their choice which may include: renal dialysis, outpatient counseling, diabetes education, sports nutrition, cardiac rehab, wellness, long term care, oncology, home infusion, or eating disorders.
Community Nutrition - 8 weeks
Over an eight-week period, the dietetic intern will actively participate and gradually assume the responsibilities of a dietitian in a community clinic. The intern will provide nutrition care to WIC clients and clients needing medical nutrition therapy education.
School Foodservice Management- 9 weeks
Over a nine-week period, the dietetic intern will actively participate in the responsibilities of a school nutrition director. During this rotation, the intern will have an opportunity to develop his or her foodservice management skills including skills in menu planning, food production and service, food and equipment purchasing, and human resource management.
Hospital Foodservice Management- 3 weeks
During the time spent in the healthcare setting the dietetic interns will also spend 3 weeks in hospital foodservice. This experience will include food production and service, quality assurance, foodservice sanitation, menu planning, and budgeting. This also gives the intern an idea of hospital diets, regulations etc. that go along with them that will be useful when they start their clinical rotation at the hospital.

NOTE - Actual schedule will vary each year.

Are you Eligible to Apply?

Please visit Eatright.org to learn The 5 Steps to Become an RDN.  

Dietetic Internship Admission Requirements

Admission Policy: All required documentation is due prior to beginning the internship by Sept 1.

• Baccalaureate degree from a US regionally accredited institution, or other official verification from the Office of the Registrar

• Master's Degree in Nutrition or related area from a US regionally accredited institution, or other official verification from the Office of the Registrar

• DPD Verification Statement with completion date within the last five years.  If DPD is >5 years old, applicants must have recent dietetic work experience and completion of an MNT course within the last 3 years, to be considered.

• GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale) in DPD courses and overall

• A strong background in sciences and evidence of ability and willingness to work productively are expected for admission to the dietetic internship. Experience, whether paid or volunteer, in clinical nutrition, food service management, or community nutrition is highly desirable.

• Applicant finalists will be evaluated in a short web interview 

How To Apply:

1) Review our webpage for program details.  

2) Complete DICAS Application online. "DICAS is a web-based application service that allows DI applicants to apply to multiple participating DI programs by completing a single application" (portal.dicas.org). Applicants must submit a complete application & pay fee.

3) Participate in Spring Match with D&D Digital. Complete & submit D&D Matching Process & Fee. "The D&D Digital Internship Matching serves as a clearinghouse to help applicants obtain an Internship (supervised practice position) from their rankings and to help Dietetic Internships (DI) obtain applicants from their choices. It eliminates unfair pressures and premature decisions in appointments by internships and acceptance or rejection of appointments by applicants" (dnddigital.com)

ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 15. SECOND ROUND MATCHING WILL BEGIN ON APRIL 5

Program costs are calculated based on tuition and fees of 2022-2023 (current tuition can be found here). Any of these costs may change without prior notice. The dietetic internship faculty and staff make every attempt to minimize costs to the student while maintaining quality of the program. Additional costs are associated with resources such as references that are considered to be essential for successful completion of the internship.

• Application Fee (DICAS, D&D): varies, typically $150-200 total
• Tuition  + Fees (3 quarters as post-bacc/undergrad)

             -Residents of the State of Washington: ~$8,845 (~$2,948/qtr)

             -Nonresidents of the State of Washington: ~$25,910 (~$8636/qtr)

             -DI Fees: $405 ($135/3 quarters)

• Professional Liability Insurance: ~$15 per year
• Housing: rent ~$700-1000/mo, plus ~$200/mo utilities (actual cost varies depending on site)
• Health insurance: ~$50/mo (plans vary, student health insurance is available through CWU)
• Academy Student Membership: $58/year
• Professional Meetings: ~$500 (covers registration, travel, lodging)
• Immunization/Titers: TDAP, MMR, COVID, chickenpox immunity titer, hepatitis B immunity, or titers up-to-date annual 2-stepTB testing.  <$200 (cost will vary greatly depending on what immunizations/titers are needs and the health insurance plan of the student)
• Transcripts: ~<$20 (exact cost will vary between institutions)
• Car insurance & expenses: $200-400/mo (includes gas/insurance, varies depending on commute)
• Healthcare Provider CPR: $50-100
• 12-Panel Drug Screen: $40
• HIPAA/OSHA Training, background checks and document management via Castlebranch: ~$130-150
• WA Food Handler's Permit ~$10

Financial Aid and Loan Deferment

As enrolled post-bacc students, CWU dietetic interns qualify for financial aid (as subsidized and unsubsizdized loans) and loan deferment, if loan limits have not been previously met.  Please see information here on types of loans and limits: Federal Financial Aid

In addition, the CWU DI meets the eligibility requirements to be a Dept of Education's Gainful Employment Program: Gainful Employment Program Disclosure

Interns are referred to the Financial Aid Office for further information on their specific eligibility and the application process.

Information on CWU Scholarships can be found at https://www.cwu.edu/scholarships/cwu-scholarship-office-home 

Information on AND Scholarships and Financial Aid can be found at: AND Scholarship and Financial Aid

All current CWU interns are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship from the CWU Nutrition Shoudy Scholarship fund.