Department of Health Sciences
Health Sciences Building
Room 201
MS: 7571
(509) 963-1912
HealthSciences@cwu.edu
Second Round Match Instructions:
CWU welcomes prospective intern applications via the Spring Second Round Match for placement in our 2023-2024 internship. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as this process moves quickly and we will accept applications until our spots are filled! Please review the process below:
1) Explore our website to see if our program is a good fit. Consider reaching out to the DI Director Katy Williams. MS, RDN, CD, CSSD, CDCES at katy.williams@cwu.edu with any questions or for more information.
2) Email the CWU Director, Katy Williams at katy.williams@cwu.edu communicating that you are interested in being considered for second round match.
3) Apply! Submit your application to CWU via DICAS. You may utilize the same application that you used for the First Round Match even though it is not individualized to CWU.
4) Starting at 11:00am CT on Wed. April 5th, we will begin reviewing DICAS applications as they are received.
5) Interview. Candidates that we believe are a good fit will be asked to attend a brief interview via Zoom.
If you would like to learn more or have any further questions, please email the DI Director, Katy Williams, MS, RDN, CD, CSSD, CDCES at katy.williams@cwu.edu.
CWU offers an accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) Program through the Department of Health Sciences.The Dietetic Internship is currently granted full accreditation (through Dec. 31, 2027) by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400. website: EatrightPro.org
This program provides:
Please visit ACEND to learn The 5 Steps to Become an RDN. This program meets the requirement for Step 2: An ACEND Supervised Practice Dietetic Internship.
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). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please reference ASCEND's information on Students and Advancing Education.
A master's degree is required for admission into CWU's Dietetic Internship. Applicants are encouraged to explore our Master of Nutrition program.
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:
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)
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.
• 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:
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.
Please visit Eatright.org to learn The 5 Steps to Become an RDN.
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
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.
-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)
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.
CWU's Dietetic Internship program excellence comes from our 70+ outstanding preceptors! Thank you for being gracious volunteers, mentors and experts for the future of dietetics. For more information, check out our Preceptor Hub
Katy Williams, MS, RDN, CD, CSSD, CDCES
Dietetic Internship Director
katy.willams@cwu.edu | 509-963-1470
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