Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Dietetic Internship

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Dietetic Internship Program at UNCG is a stand alone dietetic internship and a nationally accredited program that meets requirements for students to earn eligibility to sit for the credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). This program is nine months long and includes a minimum of 1,000 clock hours of supervised clinical dietetics practice in the areas of clinical foodservice and community nutrition. Dietetic Interns are placed in diverse practice settings that include hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health departments, and K-12 schools.

The DI program is designed for students who already have a graduate degree and have completed an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), either at UNCG or elsewhere (if you do not have a graduate degree see our combined M.S./DI program).

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dietetic Internship Program Distinctions

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) have accredited the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dietetic Internship Program at UNCG. Students have unique opportunities, including:

• Possible grant funding to attend the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE)
• Experiences in contemporary subjects such as Sports Nutrition and Culinary Medicine

The P.B.C. in Dietetic Internship Student Experience

Students will work alongside faculty members outside of the classroom. Faculty and students aim to achieve research objectives. This is done by two methods:

• Basic research, working with small laboratory animals and/or cultures of animal and human cells
• Applied research, working with human subjects in clinical or community-based studies

Additionally, dietetic interns apply their nutrition knowledge while guiding diverse client populations on their nutrition journey. Interns are placed in community, clinical, and food service nutrition practice settings. This exposes students to nutrition problems while allowing for specialized professional training working with interprofessional healthcare teams. UNCG also offers the opportunity to connect with a vast alumni network of nutrition professionals.

The Dietetic Internship was one of the best experiences I had while attending UNCG. A major factor in my success as an intern was the faculty of the Dietetic Internship. They helped navigate my cohort through uncharted territory with the end goal in mind. I was presented with the opportunity to connect with a plethora of dietitians who each had their own specialty from Culinary Medicine to Sports Nutrition. I believe the variety of exposures has helped mold me into a well-rounded dietitian.

– Nicki Plummer, MS, RDN, LDN DI Class of 2021

After Receiving a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dietetic Internship

Our graduates are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists working in:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• K-12 schools
• Universities
• Public health
• Research
• Outpatient clinics

Apply to the Certificate in Dietetic Internship Program

Program Requirements

Admitted students must have:

• A graduate degree (such as an M.S., M.A., M.Ed., or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution.
• A signed DPD Verification Statement. The statement must be dated before the start date of the DI program.
• A Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to a 3.0. It is strongly preferred that your GPA calculated from relevant classes (such nutrition, food science, foodservice management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physiology) is also greater than or equal to a 3.0.
• Applicants are evaluated based on academic performance, dietetics-related work/volunteer experience, letters of reference, and statement of professional goals.

Early Decision Process

Spaces in the DI program are held for current students in the Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration program. These students are eligible for the no-fee EARLY DECISION application process and do not have to apply through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS).

If you completed the B.S. in Nutrition with Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration (or the UNCG Didactic Program in Dietetics) in the past, you may still be eligible for the EARLY DECISION process. Please contact the program director.

Application Process

Please apply through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). You must also submit a supplementary application directly to the Department of Nutrition.

The DICAS Application requires:

• A personal statement
• Official transcripts from all schools attended
• Original DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one letter from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or dietetics program faculty member)

The Nutrition Department supplemental application requires:

• $65 application fee (payable to Department of Nutrition, UNCG)
• Professional resume