M.S. and Dietetic Internship

The five steps required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist are as follows:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program like the Miami University Didactic Program in Dietetics.
2. Get matched to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (like the Miami University Combined Master’s and Dietetic Internship Program).
3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR’s) dietetic registration exam*.
4. Obtain certification/licensure in your state of practice, if applicable. Review state licensure requirements.
5. Maintain continuing education as outlined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

*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). Read information about educational pathways to become an RDN.

Specifics from the graduate program application that will be utilized to determine suitable candidates for acceptance into the graduate program will be as follows:

• Complete the Graduate School online application
• $50 Application Fee
• Four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with a recommended 3.0 GPA
• Undergraduate Transcript
• Resume/CV
• Personal Statement
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

All students are required to have a complete medical examination within three months before the start of the internship at their own expense, and present a letter to the Dietetic Internship Director from the MD or DO certifying that the student is medically fit to take part in the program. All dietetic interns must meet supervised practice site requirements (background check, immunizations, etc).

Specifics from the dietetic internship application will be utilized to determine suitable candidates for acceptance into the internship program as follows:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a Verification Statement from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). 
• A minimum overall GPA score of 3.0 and a minimum GPA score of 3.0 in DPD nutrition-related courses are preferred.
• Three letters of recommendation from DPD instructors, employers, advisors, or other supervisors of studies or work.
• A personal statement (in 1000 words or less) that outlines:
  • Rationale for entering the dietetic profession and seeking admission to this program
  • Experiences that have assisted in preparation for the dietetics profession
  • Short-term and long-term goals
  • Strengths and areas of improvement
• Resume documenting volunteer, work and life experiences, awards, achievements, and any other information that would contribute to the uniqueness of the candidate.

Admitted Students

Upon admission, interns will be required to have a background check, specifically, the Ohio Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Investigations for those who have lived in Ohio the last five years, if not, the Ohio BCI and FBI background check is required. Interns are required to provide a Verification Statement verifying completion of the undergraduate program in dietetics (DPD) in order to begin the Miami Dietetic Internship program.

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: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. 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 https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure.

A national computer matching process is used to select candidates for the Dietetic Internship. Candidates must complete the Spring Match application process by February 15 of each year. This includes the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services and D&D Digital.

Interviews:
Applicants may be interviewed by the Dietetic Internship Director on campus or via video conference (typically mid-March) for those participating in the match.

Graduates of Miami University's Didactic Program in Dietetics may apply for preselection to the MS/DI program by completing the process outlined below. A maximum of 12 spots are open for preselection until December 1 of each year. The remaining spots not filled through pre-selection will be open for the DICAS Spring computer matching process.

1. Complete the application process and be accepted to the Miami University Graduate School,
   KNH Master of Science, Exercise Science, and Health program by November 1 of each year.
2. Evidence of completion of Miami University's DPD program before MS/DI start date, i.e., DPD verification statement or letter from DPD program director

Interviews:
Applicants may be interviewed by the Dietetic Internship Director on campus or via video conference (typically mid-November) for those applying through preselection.

Dietetic students will be required to complete the Kinesiology and Health MS degree by following the requirements outlined under the Exercise Science and Health concentration. Recently, the degree requirements were changed to a total of 30 credit hours to more closely align with the Ohio Board of Regents guidelines.

A program of study is specified in an individual academic plan approved by the student’s guidance committee. This committee will include the Internship program director and/or nutrition faculty. The degree includes research coursework, the area of a student of concentration coursework, capstone experience, and successful completion of a final certifying examination.

Dietetic Internship Experience Hours (1,000 hours minimum):

• Clinical - Medical/Surgery | 320 hours
• Community | 300  hours
• Foodservice | 256 hours
• Research | 64 hours
• Elective Rotation | 64 hours - 128 hours
• Total of 1,004 - 1,068 hours

The Miami University MS/DI follows the academic calendar. 

Dietetic Internship Experience Hours

Clinical (13 weeks = 464 hours)
Community (11 weeks = 400 hours) 
Food Service (9 weeks = 288 hours)
Elective rotation (2 weeks = 64 hours)
Staff Relief (2 weeks = 64 hours)

Total = 1280 hours

Calendar

Fall Semester 1

• Program Orientation
• Fall courses begin
• Final Exams

Spring Semester 1

• Orientation
• 6 weeks Inpatient Food Service
• 7 weeks Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) med/surg

Summer Semester 1

• 6 weeks MNT
• 6 weeks Community Nutrition

Fall Semester 2

• 4 weeks Retail Food Service
• 5 weeks Community Nutrition
• 2 weeks Planned Staff Relief
• 2 weeks Elective
• Final Exams

Estimated Dietetic Internship Program Expenses:

Fees are subject to change.

Graduates will be able to apply the principles of each of the five domains below into the practice of nutrition/dietetics:

• Domain 1: Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the integration of scientific information and translation of research into practice.
• Domain 2: Professional Practice Expectations: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner level of practice.
• Domain 3: Clinical and Customer Services: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the development and delivery of information, products, and services to individuals, groups, and populations.
• Domain 4: Practice Management and Use of Resources: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.
• Domain 5: Leadership and Career Management: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the skills, strengths, knowledge, and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner.

Miami University is one of the oldest public universities in the country, made possible by an ordinance signed by President George Washington in 1795. Chartered in 1809, Miami welcomed its first students in 1824. A liberal education core provides the foundation for the more specialized studies of the majors, immersing students in both academic and co-curricular experiences. Miami's name reflects the history of the Native American tribe that once inhabited the Miami Valley region of Ohio. Miami maintains strong ties with the Miami Tribe, now located in Oklahoma. The main campus in Oxford, Ohio (35 miles north of Cincinnati) encompasses 2,138 acres and includes 188 buildings. Based on Fall 2014 enrollment, 15,813 undergraduates and 2,643 graduate students study on the Oxford campus. Miami offers bachelor's degrees in over 120 areas of study. Graduate students choose from more than 60 master's degrees and 12 doctoral degree programs. 

Miami University consistently ranks among the nation's top public universities for the quality of teaching and overall student experience. For the fifth year in a row, Miami was ranked number one among public universities with an exceptionally strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in the 2015 edition of America’s Best Colleges by the US News & World Report. The 2015 Fiske Guide to Colleges recognized Miami for its “high caliber of student body” and “professors' knowledge and willingness to help” in its list of the “best and most interesting colleges and universities.”

Nutrition and Dietetics has a longstanding history at Miami University with food science courses offered beginning in 1908-09. Following in 1915, the Home Economics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences was established and offered food and nutrition courses. The Dietetics program first appeared in the 1945-56 catalogue. The Didactic Program in Dietetics was first established in 1974 and was subsequently granted accreditation in 2004 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. Most recently, the DPD program received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) in 2015, and generally graduates approximately 30 students each year. Graduate outcomes have been strong with a 95% pass rate on the registration exam and 88% placement rate in internships for the previous five years. The graduate placement rate in internships was 100% in 2015.

The Combined Master’s Degree and Dietetics Internship is the most recent expansion to provide students with the ability to complete a Master’s degree and the required internship to become a Registered Dietitian. This is in response to growing advanced professional need in the community for more qualified nutrition professionals.