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 highly qualified entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

• Based on the most recent seven year period, 100% of Benedictine University (BenU) graduates will successfully complete the program within 27 months or 150% of the anticipated 18 month program completion length.
• Based on the most recent seven year period, at least 80% of graduates will pass the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within one year following first attempt.
• Based on averages from the most recent seven year period, 100% of BenU graduates, will take the Registration Examination within 1 year of program completion.
• Based on the most recent seven year period, using data obtained by both the BenU graduate survey and other information from professional networks, 75% of graduates will seek employment in dietetics within the first 12 months after program completion.
• At least 90% of graduates will become skill entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, as evidenced by one or more of the following…

·    Being hired by site preceptors
·    Receiving a work or professional organization award
·    Receiving a work promotion
·    Employer survey rating of “outstanding” or “above average” entry level dietitian

Goal #2 – Benedictine University’s Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates who demonstrate professionalism through their interpersonal relationships with patients and the health care team, as well as encouraging our graduates to participate in the mentoring of future dietetics professionals.

• Based on returned BenU Employer Surveys completed one year post BenU program completion, 90% of employers will rate graduates at 4 on a 5 point scale for “developing interpersonal relationships” and “practices professionalism”.
• Based on returned BenU Employer Surveys completed one year post BU program completion, 90% of graduates will rate themselves 4 on a 5 point scale for “interacting effectively with health care disciplines”.
• Based on data collected annually from a “Graduate Update Survey”, 50% of graduates that respond to the survey will have experience serving as mentors for dietetic student education.

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.

• Based on returned BenU Graduate Surveys completed one year post BenU program completion, 90% of graduates will rate themselves 4 on a 5 point scale for “The DI experience increased my knowledge related to community and public health nutrition?” AND 4 on a 5 point scale for “The DI experience increased my skills related to community and public health nutrition?”

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 2022 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 6th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. for employment of these professionals. The 2022 Occupational Outlook Handbook reported the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists as $66,450. 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 [www.fafsa.ed.gov](http://www.fafsa.ed.gov).

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 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.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution
2. 3.0 overall GPA; Didactic Program in Dietetics GPA 3.2.
3. Minimum academic requirements established by ACEND, as evidenced by a DPD verification statement or intent to complete statement.
4. Additional coursework in medical nutrition therapy is required when a degree has been completed five or more years prior to internship application.

Admission Procedures

Please note that to apply for the Dietetic Internship (DI )/ Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition and Dietetics Program, you will be required to submit two separate applications.

The following information will help to guide you through the DI application procedures.

To apply:

• Benedictine University’s DI Program is using the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login , e-mail [email protected]. The on-line application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2022.
• When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed on-line. Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application. Please provide recommendations that meet the following criteria:
  1. One from a nutrition professor who can discuss: (a) your academic ability and potential; (b) professionally related memberships and involvement; (c) resourcefulness and initiative; and (d) personal attributes, including strengths, limitations, and leadership ability and potential.
  2. A work/volunteer/practicum experience supervisor/manager.
  3. An academic professor in nutrition, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or written communications.
• Applicants who apply to Benedictine University’s DI program need to individualize their application letter. The letter, which has a 1,000 word limit, needs to be a professional typewritten business letter, which states:
  1. Why you chose to study nutrition and dietetics.
  2. Both short (5 years) and long term (10 years) career aspirations/goals.
  3. A description of how your unique characteristics and/or experiences (e.g., diabetes camp counselor, teaching nutrition to children, academic minors or concentrations or double majors, bilingual skills, study abroad, certification in sanitation and related fields, such as fitness, leadership positions, regularly scheduled volunteer experience in health care or community based facilities, coaching sports teams, supervisory experience, culinary arts experience, people-orientated experiences, etc.) and/or personal strengths could contribute to this Dietetic Internship and your career goals.
  4. An honest assessment of your limitations and what we need to provide to help you to succeed. Remember, we are trying to make certain that we can provide you with the experience you need and desire!
• In order to assure our program matches your needs, you may be invited for a phone interview. If we interview you, we will notify you by e-mail or telephone.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to: DICAS – Transcript Dept
  PO Box 9118
  Watertown, Ma 02471International students must also provide transcripts evaluated in detail by ECE.
• Applicants must also register online for computer matching and select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15. There is a $55.00 computer matching fee.
• We require a $40.00 nonrefundable application process fee.
  Click here to pay your application fee online.
  1. Applicants are responsible to call the program director within 24 hours of notification to accept. Please call during business hours (8:00AM to 4:00PM Central Standard Time).
  2. A letter accepting the appointment postmarked within 48 hours of the appointment date.
  3. Official college transcript that shows receipt of baccalaureate or advanced degree.
  4. A completed verification statement indicating compliance with current academic requirements by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Last bullet point -change it to: After acceptance into the program, the prospective intern needs to confirm his/her/their acceptance of the “match” with the Benedictine University to the DI Director Dr. Millikan through email: [email protected].

For those who do not match with the DI 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-match application process, where up to six of 16 available slots may be filled by Benedictine University students annually.

Benedictine University Pre-Select

Benedictine University students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate (DPD) Nutrition and/or MS in Nutrition and Dietetics may qualify for Benedictine Univerity’s Dietetic Internship Pre-Match.

Pre Select Announcement
Pre Select Application

Second Round Selection

Thank you for your interest in Benedictine University’s post-match for the Dietetic Internship/Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics!

Instructions

1. Make your DI application materials available to view in DICAS

2. Submit a graduate application HERE

3. Pay a $40 Dietetic Internship application fee HERE

4. Email Janet Millikan at [email protected] when steps 1-3 have been completed

After we review your material, you will either receive a call for an interview or email with an acceptance decision.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your other materials and follow up email. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.