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Dietetic Internship

NEW for intern class of 2024-25!

-ICU Concentration 

-Allowing paid internship sites!
(Must be approved by director and restrictions apply. Payment is to come from sponsoring facility.)


-Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)
APL application documents:
APL Overview
APL Competency Checklist
APL Supervisor Checklist

The University of Northern Colorado Dietetic Internship (DI) was established in 1995 and is the first to base the learning structure on a Distance Education Model.

There are 3 pathways to become a dietitian through the University of Northern Colorado:

MS in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship (MSDI)
Please visit this page. 

Dietetic Internship (DI) Stand-alone
Applicants must possess a master's degree or higher.

Dietetic Internship (DI) Stand-alone 
Applicants must be in the process of completing a graduate degree with no more than 2 semesters remaining before beginning the DI program the first week of June.

Students who have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics approved or accredited by ACEND® are eligible to apply. Successful completion of this program will result in the receipt of a DI Verification Statement which establishes eligibility to sit for the national standardized exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Successful completion of the exam results in the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential and eligibility to apply for state licensure in those states that provide licensure for dietitians. To Learn more about pursuing a career in dietetics visit: Information for Students (eatrightpro.org). For information on how to become a Dietetics Technician, Registered (DTR), visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

The Dietetic Internship mission at the University of Northern Colorado will prepare graduates to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who have the acquired knowledge to enrich the community through professional practice under the professional code of ethics, and remain life-long learners that is supported by evidence based research and leadership activity.

Our application and selection process utilizes a holistic screening approach where we consider key elements of the whole person in addition to using traditional measures such as academic achievements and GPA.  It is important to us that we accept individuals who will enrich our program's mission to be life-long learners and who will strengthen the dietetics profession by engaging in leadership activities and roles.

Thank you for your interest in the Dietetic Internship at the University of Northern Colorado. You may visit the links on this website for further details about the program.  

Virtual Open Houses for the UNC Dietetic Internship Programs

Check back for 2024 open house dates! 

Beginning  January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program.  For more information, see Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Frequently Asked Questions and Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Student Option Scenarios.


Eligibility for Online Programs by State of Residence

The University of Northern Colorado has been approved by Colorado to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Through this membership, we adhere to established standards for distance higher education and are authorized to serve students from all 49 NC-SARA participating states.

Learn More

Entry-Level Registration Eligibility Requirements Update

The Commission on Dietetic Registration website provides information regarding the plan and timeline to initiate the new entry-level practice requirements of earning an advanced degree along with completing supervised practice and taking a registration exam.

Learn more

The new requirements will take effect January 1, 2024. Those who become Registered Dietitians before this time will be allowed to practice without an advanced degree.

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Northern Colorado is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is the accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered. ACEND® serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND® is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Title IV gatekeeper. This recognition affirms that ACEND® meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

ACEND Logo

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND®)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
800-877-1600, ext. 5400
www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Academy Diversity and inclusion Statement

The Academy encourages diversity and inclusion by striving to recognize, respect and include differences in ability, age, creed, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, size, and socioeconomic characteristics in the nutrition and dietetics profession.