Nutrition and Dietetics
Dietetic Internship
Interested in Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?
Central Washington University' Dietetic Internship prepares our students to become dietitians in diverse and professional fields within the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Consider attending one of our virtual open houses!
Please email the Dietetic Internship Director at katy.williams@cwu.edu for the open house dates and the Zoom meeting link.
Interested in Learning More?
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Mission, Goals, and Objectives
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 dietetic internship is to prepare competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
Program Goals and Objectives
Goal #1 – Program graduates will become competent, entry level RDNs
Objectives:
- At least 80% of students complete the stand-alone DI program requirements within 13.5 months which is 150 percent 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 percent
- At least 90 percent 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
Objectives:
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation
Note: Program outcome data are available up on request.
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Academic Curriculum and Schedule
Program Schedule
Given that our interns complete their rotations around WA state, interns will need to have access to a computer and reliable internet connection for our weekly, virtual seminars.
Our dietetic internship consists of several supervised practice rotations that take place over three quarters of CWU's academic year. Interns are expected to be at their supervised practice sites, working with their preceptors between 30-38 hours/wk. The internship is considered a post-bac program and students enroll in 54 credits of undergraduate, supervised practice experience over 3 quarters. (See schedule below).
Credits Taken Quarterly (18)
- Fall: NUTR 492A Dietetic Practicum, 18 undergraduate/post-bac credits
- Winter: NUTR 492B Dietetic Practicum, 18 undergraduate/post-bac credits
- Spring: NUTR 492C Dietetic Practicum, 18 undergraduate/post-bac credits
Supervised Practice Rotations
Dietetic interns complete their supervised practice experiences at a variety of sites under the direction of well qualified, professional internship preceptors. Interns are placed in locations within WA state with most interns being placed in Central Washington locations including Yakima Valley, Wentachee, and Tri Cities. There is also a possibility to place interns in select locations in Western WA although this is subject to preceptor availability. Rotations are available in a wide variety of areas focusing on clinical nutrition, community and food service management.
Every attempt is made to assign students to a geographic region of their preference with rotation sites within a reasonable distance from one another. However, commuting distances vary with the areas and it is not always possible for the intern to obtain the location of their top preference. Additionally, interns need to be prepared for commuting in winter driving conditions.
Medical Nutrition Therapy, Clinical - 10 weeks
The dietetic intern will gradually assume the responsibilities of the clinical dietitian and will develop the competencies for an entry-level dietitian.
Optional 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 - 6-7 weeks
The dietetic intern will actively participate and gradually assume the responsibilities of a dietitian in a community clinic or other community setting.
School food service Management- 5-7 weeks
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 their food service management skills including skills in menu planning, food production and service, food and equipment purchasing, and human resource management.
Hospital food service Management- 3-4 weeks
This experience will include gaining skills in food production and service, quality assurance, food service sanitation, menu planning, and budgeting and prepares interns to take on director and management roles in food service settings.
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Program Costs
The CWU Dietetic Internship program costs are calculated based on tuition and fees of 2026-2027 (view our current tuition). Any of these costs may change without prior notice. The dietetic internship director makes every attempt to minimize costs to the student while maintaining quality of the program. Additional costs are associated with resources that are considered to be essential for successful completion of the internship.
In-state (2026-2027):
- Post Bac Tuition: $7,459
- Post Bac Mandatory Fees: $2,250
- Lab Fees: $405 ($135 for 3 quarters)
- Total: $10,114
- Post Bac Tuition: $27,042
- Post Bac Mandatory Fees: $2,250
- Lab Fees: $405 ($135 for 3 quarters)
- Total: $29,697
Additional Fees:
- DICAS program application fee: $50
- Professional Liability Insurance through CWU: $17/year
- Housing: Variable, $800-1200/month
- Health insurance: Variable, $75/month
- Academy Student Membership: $58/year
- Immunization/Titers: Variable, $200
- Transcripts: Variable, $20
- Car insurance & fuel: $200-400/month
- Healthcare Provider BLS CPR: Variable, $65-$100
- 12-Panel Drug Screen: Variable, $50-$100
- National and WSP Background Checks: $120
- WA Food Handler's Permit $10
Financial Aid and Loan Deferment
CWU Dietetic Interns are considered post-bac students and qualify for financial aid and loan deferment, if 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 Department of Education's Gainful Employment Program: Gainful Employment Program Disclosure
Applicants are referred to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department for further information on their specific eligibility and the application process for financial aid and scholarships.
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Graduation Completion Requirements
Dietetic Internship Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all supervised practice rotations within 13.5 months of beginning the program (150 percent 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 satisfactory (S) grade, interns must:
- Complete all assignments for each rotation in the assigned/designated length of time with an M (meets criteria) in their evaluation.
- Demonstrate entry-level knowledge and performance skills for competencies indicated for the rotation by receiving an M (meets criteria) in their evaluation.
- Receive an overall S (satisfactory) score on each rotation evaluation that occurs within the Dietetic Practicum course period.
- If any competencies on rotation evaluations are indicated as U (unsatisfactory) but the preceptor has determined the student to have an overall satisfactory (S) score for the rotation, the unmet (U) competencies must be met in a subsequent rotation and given a satisfactory (S) grade.
- A student must arrange in advance, with the internship director and preceptor, to correct or make up missed assignments or assignments which do not meet the completion criteria.
- 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.
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Application and Admission Requirements
Are you Eligible to Apply?
Please visit The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to learn The 5 Steps to Become an RDN.
Dietetic Internship Admission Requirements
Admission Policy: All required documentation is due prior to beginning of the internship:
- Completion of all Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) courses from an accredited program and DPD verification statement.
- Graduate 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 related work experience and/or completion of an MNT course within the last 3 years, to be considered.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale) in DPD and science courses as well as overall
- Experience, whether paid or volunteer, in clinical nutrition, food service management, or community nutrition is highly desirable.
- Applicant finalists will be evaluated over a virtual interview
How To Apply:
Students who meet the above admission requirements can apply to our dietetic internship through DICAS. DICAS is a web-based application service that allows DI applicants to apply to multiple participating DI programs by completing a single application. Applications are due on February 15, 2027 at 11:59 CST. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance no later than March 1st, 2027 and will be required to accept or decline their spot no later than March 10, 2027.
DICAS -
Program Policies
CWU's Dietetic Internship does not currently offer credit for prior assessed learning.
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How Do I Become an RDN?
How Do I Become an RDN?
To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, you will need to:
- Complete a minimum of a master's degree granted by a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency or foreign equivalent, and coursework through an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics accredited Didactic, Coordinated, Graduate or International program.
- Complete required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program, Graduate Program, or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway offered through an ACEND-accredited program. To apply to these programs, applicants must submit their application through a computer matching program called DICAs.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website.
- Meet requirements to practice in your state. (Licensing in Washington State) Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure or certification) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes.
- Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.
The CWU Dietetic Internship meets step two "Complete required supervised practice/experience) of this process. For more information please read: Becoming a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Exam
CWU's Dietetic Internship is designed to prepare interns for successful completion of the CDR credentialing exam.
CWU also helps to prepare the interns for the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) by providing review materials and study guides. You can learn more about the exam below:
Learn more about the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist exam.
Employment
The CWU Dietetic Internships helps to provide networking opportunities for interns and graduates both during and after completion of the internship. The program helps prepare interns for job placement with activities including resume development, mock interviews and salary negotiation and connects interns with job opportunities as they arise.
ACEND Accredited Program
Central Washington University's Dietetic Internship program is an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited, post-baccalaureate supervised practice program that qualifies graduates to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration examination to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
ACEND contact information:
Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza Ste 2190, Chicago IL 60606-6995
Ph: 1-800-877-1600 ext 5400
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Contact
Katy Williams, MS, RDN, CD, CDCES, Nutrition, Director of Dietetic Internship
Health Science 302G