Dietetic Internship

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To best serve students and to align with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), this program is currently in the process of being recalibrated to meet new standards. Please re-visit this site for important notifications and changes that are expected in 2023 and 2024. As of July, 2023, the CSULB DI will not participate in Computer-Matching in Spring 2024 and thereby not accept applicants.  This website reflects the Dietetic Internship for the last Cohort (Cohort 12) which has been accepted and will complete their practicum in Fall, 2024 and Spring, 2025.

California State University Long Beach (CSULB), a metropolitan campus of 37,000 students, offers an Internship Program in Nutrition & Dietetics (IPND) combined with a Master of Science in Nutritional Science, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND) *   With a commitment to diversity, in addition to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and state law, the University, the Master of Science Program in Nutritional Science, and the IPND are committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, learn, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.  Programs and services to assist students can be found on the Division of Student Affairs website here. 

The Internship Program option originates in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Health and Human Services and participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) and D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The CSULB Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (IPND)/MS has one cohort of Interns beginning in the fall annually.

This two-year program combines graduate coursework with supervised practice in the greater Los Angeles area. After the Intern completes both the requirements for the MS and the Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (IPND), he/she will graduate with an M.S. in Nutritional Science and will be eligible to take the CDR Credentialing Exam. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) overseeing the national exam. Passing the CDR Exam is required for the individual to obtain employment as a professional and place the R.D. credential after their name. The CSULB IPND has a 95% pass rate (past 5-year average) for graduates in their first attempt.  Program outcome data are available upon request.

"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 order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. 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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

  • In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements visit the State Licensure page on the CDR's website.
  • For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN visit the Information for Students page on the Eat Right Nutrition website. 

 

Attend a 2-year program linking a Master of Science in Nutritional Science with an Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (IPND).

  • Experience diverse training sites in a variety of settings
  • Enjoy program holidays that follow the academic calendar: 1-week Thanksgiving holiday, 5-week winter break, 1-week spring break, 1-week summer break, and 
  • Use the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) and D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)

  • A program that allows for the completion of both the MS and Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (IPND) in 2 years, 
  • A “Nutrition Across the Lifecycle Communication” (NALCC) Concentration which includes preparation for communication and health promotion for individuals from birth to older adulthood, 
  • Major rotations include foodservice, medical nutrition therapy, and community nutrition, 
  • Specialty rotations include burns, outpatient counseling, disordered eating, pediatric medical nutrition therapy, school foodservice, nutrition education, business/entrepreneurship, and clinical nutrition research, and 
  • Uniquely designed seminars to expand your professional network and to foster future employment opportunities.

  • During the Internship, each Intern is required to have a car. 
  • Interns will be responsible for finding housing off-campus for the duration of the internship. 
  • Review the CSULB Catalog to answer any questions. 

Minimum Requirements for the Dietetic Internship with an M.S. in Nutritional Science degree: 

  • Completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics with an original ‘Verification Statement’ or ‘Intent to Complete’ from the Didactic Program Director, 
  • GPA: 3.0 overall on a 4.0 scale and 3.0 for the last 60 units, and 
  • Effective November 13, 2020 for one year, the GRE will not be a required document for the February 15, 2021 Dietetic Internship deadline.  The GRE is now an optional M.S. Nutritional Science application requirement.  Please see the M.S. program website for an alternate writing document.

  • Completion of the 'Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System' (DICAS) application by February 15th, 
  • Submission with ranking of Internship choices on D&D Digital by February 15th, 
  • Application to the MS in Nutritional Science submitted to Dr. Virginia Gray, RD, the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, 
  • Submission to Dr. Gail Frank, RD, CHES, the Dietetic Internship Program Director, by February 15th, 
  • The 'Nutrition-Related Work Experience' sheet (available as a WORD document under 'Admission Criteria'), 
  • The 'GPA Calculation' sheet (available as a WORD document under “Admission Criteria”), and 
  • The application fee: Pay Online at CashNet
  • Interview with IPND Director and Review Committee. 

Note: Please see “Deadlines” section of this website for more details.

*ACEND - 'The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is an autonomous accrediting agency for education programs preparing students to begin careers as registered dietitians or dietetic technicians, registered. Programs meeting the ACEND® Accreditation Standards are accredited by ACEND®. ACEND Mission and Vision.

For more information write to ACEND at the following address:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Email: ACEND@eatright.og
Telephone: 800.877.1600 x 5400

**The Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) provides the required dietetics coursework leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree. Graduates of ACEND-accredited DPD programs, who are verified by the Program Director, may apply for Dietetic Internships to establish eligibility to take the CDR registration examination for dietitians.