Dietetic Internship/ MS in Nutrition and Dietetics

Why the Dietetic Internship at Benedictine University?

Why should you consider the Benedictine University Dietetic Internship Program for your first choice? Consider the advantages of our program…

• The Benedictine University Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400). Upon completion of this master’s degree coursework, including Track A, the Dietetic Internship concentration, the student will receive a Dietetics Practice Verification Statement. This Verification Statement enables the graduate to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist examination administered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). Upon receipt of a passing score, the student meets the eligibility requirements to become a nationally registered and state licensed dietitian nutritionist, and an Active Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• The program is a combined master’s degree dietetic internship. Thus, students work towards both the Dietetic Internship Verification Statement and a degree in Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Beginning on January 1st. 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration required a minimum of a master’s degree to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian.  The program at Benedictine University is a well-established Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Dietetic Internship.
• The program strives to develop an academic community that supports each person in the pursuit of knowledge, personal development, and a life lived in balance.
• This program, as part of Benedictine University, prepares its students for a lifetime, as active, informed, and responsible citizens and leaders of the dietetics and world communities.
• Although you will gain a solid practice experience base in medical nutrition therapy and management, through unique site rotations our program is designed to provide a strong community and public health emphasis, with a lifespan focus.
• The program grants credit for prior learning experiences then providing interns with the opportunity to experience other areas of nutrition and dietetics rather than repeat skills they may already possess.
• This program is designed for diverse career aspirations which may include nutrition and health education assessment, planning, program delivery, counseling, outcome evaluation, and program administration in community, school, outpatient, corporate wellness, and private practice settings.
• The program is supported by a team of talented faculty, as well as site preceptors from more than 100 facilities in and around Benedictine University.
• Nearly 30 years of excellence in preparing entry-level dietetics professionals.

Dietetic Internship Missions and Goals

The Dietetic Internship program is a concentration in the M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program.

The M.S. Foundation courses meet the M.S. program objectives. Dietetic Internship Concentration course outcomes have been designed to meet the specific competencies / learning objectives as outlined by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These competencies/learning objectives are listed in rotation packets.

Based on program priorities, a five-year timeframe for assessment of all key learning outcomes for the program is planned. Numerous benchmarks are prioritized and tracked as part of the annual program assessment improvement plan.

As part of the practice of effective teaching to foster and improve learning, all faculty are encouraged to engage in assessment of their own courses. There are numerous ways to measure course improvements. The Dietetic Internship rotation outcomes and courses in the concentration directly contribute to meeting Dietetic Internship program objectives (i.e., they are aligned).

Dietetic interns are evaluated frequently throughout the internship program. Numerous measures are employed to assist in this process, producing direct and indirect evidence of learning. Our program employs multiple assessment measures to examine student learning in the dietetic internship program, including portfolio, authentic case studies, projects, and tests. We use project descriptions, criterion grade sheets, and/or rubrics as tools to assess learning throughout the program.

Evaluations of interns by supervisors and self, and evaluation of rotations by interns are regularly conducted.
For more information, visit the “Nutrition Preceptors link” .

An evaluation is sent to the employer of our graduates following program completion, the program Director also tracks:

• Enrollment Trends,
• Conducts Student Surveys,
• Collaborates in the Collection of Alumni Surveys, and
• Examines the Pass Rate of the RDN Exam. Data collection and analysis is ongoing.

Dietetic Internship Mission

The Benedictine University Dietetic Internship will provide a high-quality program that is recognized as a superior model for the preparation of entry-level dietitians, and through the community and public health nutrition program concentration display excellence in provision of community and wellness initiatives and interventions across the lifespan.

Goal 1 – The Dietetic Internship will prepare competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

• Program Completion: At least 80% of Benedictine University (BenU) interns complete the program requirements within 24 months or 150% of the anticipated 16-month program completion length.
• Graduate Performance on Registration Exam for RD:
  • At least 80% of BenU DI 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%.
• Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% are employed in nutrition or dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• Employer Satisfaction: At least 80% of employers responding to surveys will rate their satisfaction with the graduate’s preparation for entry-level professional practice as “meets expectations” or “exceeds expectations.”
• Intern/Graduate Satisfaction: At least 80% of graduates responding to surveys will “agree” that the preparation they received was adequate for entry-level professional practice.

Goal 2 – Benedictine University’s Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates who demonstrate professionalism.

• At least 80% of employers responding to surveys will rate satisfaction with the graduate’s “practice of professionalism and ethical behavior” as “meets expectations” or higher.
• At least 80% of graduates responding to surveys will rate themselves as “satisfactory” or higher for “interacting effectively with other health care disciplines.”
• At least 80% of graduates responding to surveys “agree” or “strongly agree” that they would serve as mentors and/or preceptors for dietetics student education within the next five years.

Goal 3 –The Benedictine University Dietetic Internship program will prepare dietetics professionals with knowledge and skills in community and public health nutrition as defined by Benedictine University’s public health nutrition competencies.

• At least 90% of graduates responding to surveys would “agree” or “strongly agree” that “The DI experience increased my knowledge related to community and public health nutrition.”
• At least 80% of graduates responding to surveys would “agree” or “strongly agree” that “The DI experience increased my skills related to community and public health nutrition.”

All goals are tracked and reported over three-year periods. The wording of these goals was updated for Fall 2024.

Note: Outcome data measuring achievement of program goals is available to interns, prospective interns, and the public upon request.

Curriculum

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program requires a total of 33 semester hours. All dietetic interns must attend on a full-time basis. The course schedule enables completion of the required graduate courses and dietetic internship in 16 months. This concentration is available on campus (Lisle).

The DI Program Director serves as academic advisor of those in the Dietetic Internship concentration, assisting students through advisement about course options, sequencing, and registration.

Foundation courses (15 credit hours)

• PBHL 5502 Introduction to Biostatistics (3)
• PBHL 6500 Research Methods in Public Health (3)
• NUTR 5581 Obesity Prevention and Management (3)
• NUTR 5585 Complementary Nutrition Therapies (3)
• PBHL 6898 Community Health Analysis or PBHL 6203 Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation (3)

Track A Course Requirements (18 credit hours):

• NUTR 5445 Life Span in Community Settings (2)
• NUTR 5455 DI Foodservice (2)
• NUTR 5460 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (3)
• NUTR 5465 DI Clinical (3)
• NUTR 5466 DI Clinical LTC/Sub Acute (1)
• NUTR 5475 Nutrition Clinical Management (2)
• NUTR 5480 DI Skill & Practice Competence & Professional Issues (2)
• NUTR 5491 Nutrition Assessment Lab (3)

Site Placements

Our Dietetic Internship program has a public health and community nutrition emphasis, exposing the intern to a vast scope of available career options. The Dietetic Internship coordinates the supervised field placements in community, health care and management organizations, and informs the interns of his/her/their placements. Internship site placements include both traditional and non-traditional settings, located in both suburban and city locations in the Chicagoland-area. Certain site placements may be an hour (or more with traffic) away from where the intern resides. Rotation length varies based on the competencies to be achieved.

 Health Insurance: Interns are required to obtain and maintain their own health insurance.

Automobiles: A car is required for the DI program, as interns must travel to their sites. Interns are required to obtain and maintain automobile insurance.

Schedule

The combined M.S./DI entrance date is August.

The Overall Program length is 16 months, with the DI rotations spread over at least 40 weeks. The DI Director plans the rotation schedule and arranges site placements (including Affiliation Agreements) for each intern.

Work Schedule: Some Dietetic Internship rotations are Monday through Thursdays, while others are Monday through Friday. Fridays are considered a rotation day, even if not on site, as it is also a classroom, seminar, and/or meeting day. Students attend graduate classes online and in a hybrid format (for example, on Fridays in the first Fall).

Vacation: There is a two-week break around the winter holidays each year, and summer term may have a lighter load (note: the DI Director sets the rotation and weeks off, not the intern). Interns may request one additional week of vacation; all vacation requests must be approved by the DI Director well in advance.

More information on the Dietetic Internship Policies and Procedures are in the DI Handbook.

Student Assessment and Evaluation

All students must complete 33 semester credit hours of graduate coursework. Benedictine University alumni may complete one 3-credit course (NUTR 5491) as an undergraduate. The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics foundation courses fulfill the M.S. program objectives. All students in this program must earn a grade of B or better in every course, including rotation courses.

The Dietetic Internship (DI) program is a track (Track A) in the M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program. The courses and rotations in Track A were designed to meet the specific competencies and learning objectives as outlined by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These competencies and learning objectives are listed in rotation packets.

Dietetic interns are evaluated frequently throughout the internship program. Numerous measures are employed to assist in this process, producing direct and indirect evidence of learning. Our program employs multiple assessment measures to examine student learning in the dietetic internship program, including portfolio, authentic case studies, projects, and tests. We use project descriptions, criterion grade sheets, and/or rubrics as tools to assess learning throughout the program.

Evaluations of interns by supervisors and self, and evaluation of rotations by interns are regularly conducted. For more information, visit the “Nutrition Preceptors link.”

An evaluation is sent to the employer of our graduates following program completion, the program Director also tracks:

• Enrollment Trends,
• Conducts Student Surveys,
• Collaborates in the Collection of Alumni Surveys, and
• Examines the Pass Rate of the RDN Exam. Data collection and analysis is ongoing.

More information on the Dietetic Internship Policies and Procedures are in the DI Handbook.

Program Evaluation

Based on program priorities, a multi-year timeframe for assessment of all key learning outcomes for the program is planned. Benchmarks are prioritized and tracked as part of the annual program assessment improvement plan. The DI rotation outcomes and courses in Track A directly contribute to meeting DI program objectives (i.e., they are aligned). As part of the practice of effective teaching to foster and improve learning, faculty engage in assessment of student learning and their own courses, and report related outcomes to the DI Director.

Accreditation

The curricula for our Benedictine University Dietetic Internship (DI) program has been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. The United States Department of Education recognizes ACEND as a Title IX gatekeeper. Per ACEND: “This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards as is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs: (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend ).”

Our DI curriculum meets the specific required competencies as listed in the 2022 Standards for Dietetic Internship programs, which can be found at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend. Our most recent accreditation visit was in 2017, and the program was awarded accreditation through June 30, 2025. Outcomes are available upon request. A graduate of this program has the opportunity to sit for the exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Benedictine University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago Illinois 60602-2504. Phone: (800) 621-7440 / (312) 263-0456.

Careers in Nutrition

The 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase by 7% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average compared to other occupations. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area is the 4th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. for employment of these professionals. The 2023 Occupational Outlook Handbook reported the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists as $69,680. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2021 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession, the median wage for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) (not including nutritionists) was higher, at $72,000 in 2021. As with other professions, income will vary by region of the country, type of employment setting, and scope of responsibility; wages tend to be highest in the practice areas of food and nutrition management, consultation and business, and education and research. According to this 2021 Survey, income also increases with years of experience and additional certifications, with the top 25 percent of dietitians earning more than $87,700.

In the State of Illinois, one must be licensed by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to practice dietetics. Click for information about Illinois licensure for dietitians in Illinois.

Cost and Financial Aid

For detailed information on tuition and fees for the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a concentration in Dietetic Internship, please click here.

Financial Assistance Opportunities: Students seeking financial aid have various options. We encourage you to explore grants, low-interest bank loans, and scholarships. These may be available from government entities, corporations, community or civic groups, as well as philanthropic and religious organizations.

Starting the Financial Aid Process: Begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa).

Financial Aid Consultation for Lisle Campus Students: If you’re enrolling in our Lisle campus degree program, please contact our University Financial Aid Office at (630) 829-6100 for personalized guidance.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarships: The Academy offers scholarships for students at junior standing or higher in accredited nutrition programs, including undergraduate, Dietetic Internship, or master’s degree programs. These scholarships are competitive and prestigious. For more information, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website or check the September Supplement of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note that Academy or local dietetic association scholarships typically require Academy membership.

Required Reference List for the Dietetic Internship: The cost of required books varies. Contact the Nutrition and Public Health Department for more information.

Housing Options: For on-campus housing, consider Founders’ Woods, offering fully furnished apartments with a 12-month lease. Contact an Apartment Finders organization for assistance.

Health Requirements for Interns: Interns must provide proof of medical insurance and a physician’s health status statement. Required vaccinations include MMR, 2-step TB, flu shot, Hepatitis B, and COVID.

Background Checks: Fingerprinting and police clearance are mandatory before starting the internship.

Dietetic Internship Program Admissions Requirements

Acceptance into the combined Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Track A Dietetic Internship program is a selective process and requires separate acceptance procedures and materials. You need to apply for acceptance into (a) MS in Nutrition and Dietetics AND (b) Track A, Dietetic Internship program.

To meet minimum qualifications for acceptance into the Dietetic Internship program, you need:

• A Bachelor or advanced degree from an accredited institution is required.
• All applicants must have completed an ACEND (Accreditation Council of Education for Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) prior to starting this program prior to the MS program start date. Applicants must submit
• A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement from a program accredited in the United States by the Accreditation Council of Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Those who submit a DPD Declaration of Intent at the time of application will need to submit a DPD Verification Statement prior to the start of the program. Applicants with DPD Verification Statements older than five years are less competitive and a additional recent coursework in medical nutrition therapy is typically required prior to Dietetic Internship application.
• All applicants should have a minimum 3.00/4.00 cumulative GPA.
• GRE results are optional but welcomed with a recommended minimum score of 30th percentile in each of the three areas of the GRE: verbal, quantitative and analytical. Applications without GRE scores will have more weight on grades and references.

All prospective applicants should refer to the DI Handbook for details about the Dietetic Internship program application process. For those who are not accepted into the Dietetic Internship program initially, consider our Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Track B option. This pathway not only enhances your qualifications for future internship opportunities but also makes you eligible for our exclusive December pre-select application process, where up to six of 16 available slots may be filled by Benedictine University students annually.