dietetic internship
at Meredith College
Dietetic Internship Program
Meredith College’s Dietetic Internship program provides college graduates who have met the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements with the knowledge and supervised practice needed to enter the fast-growing field of nutrition. The internship prepares students for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (CDR) exam and, ultimately, a career as a Registered Dietitian.
Meredith’s Dietetic Internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
About Our Dietetic Internship
Meredith’s location in Raleigh, N.C. is ideal for internship participants, who can work at some of the world’s top corporations and medical centers, as well as in local human services agencies and school systems. And, those completing the internship earn six credit hours toward the M.S. in Nutrition from Meredith.
Our program also offers a study abroad opportunity, Exploring Nutrition in Tuscany, Italy, which involves cooking classes and farm and vineyard excursions. You will learn about Italian food practices and gain cultural awareness.
Program Pathways
We are accredited for one dietetic internship that has three distinct pathways:
The traditional pathway provides students with all their rotations and takes place in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area. This is a “worry-free” internship in that the rotation placements are organized for the student.
The Site Preceptor Pathway is a unique option that provides students with two secured supervised practice rotations. The secured rotations include a 12-week Clinical/MNT rotation (which is often the most difficult site to find on your own) as well as a 4-week hospital-based food service management rotation in the Fayetteville, N.C. area.
In addition to the secured sites, students select and secure additional student-identified rotations.
In this flexible pathway, the student is responsible for locating and securing all their rotation sites at least 150 miles outside the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area. This pathway can be seamlessly paired with the Meredith College MS-ACT Program.
97%
of program interns completed program/degree requirements within 16.5 months for Traditional Pathway and Site Preceptor Pathway Cohorts A & B, 22.5 months for Site Preceptor Pathway Cohort C, 36 months for the Distance Pathway
87%
pass rate for graduates who took the CDR exam within one year of the first attempt
100%
job placement rate within 12 months of graduation for graduates who sought employment in nutrition, dietetics, or related fields
Dietetic Internship Requirements
To complete the Meredith College Dietetic Internship Program and receive a signed program completion Verification Statement, students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Pass all rotations and complete all competencies/learning outcomes for DIs
- Complete all assignments
- Work all assigned hours
- Turn in all evaluation forms
- Turn in all End of Rotation E-Portfolio
- Complete an enrichment rotation
- Have an average of a “B” in the graduate classes
- Have earned a graduate degree (Master’s or Doctorate)
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements needed to obtain a dietetics license, including supervised practice and examinations. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
Strong Stories
Danae Gross, ’22, is a registered and licensed dietitian earning her master’s in nutrition at Meredith. She will continue pursuing her goal of one day becoming a professor through UNC-Chapel Hill’s Ph.D. program in nutrition with a minor in epidemiology.
After completing her Dietetic Internship at Meredith, Stephanie (Ott) Antonelli, ’19, decided to pursue her M.S. in nutrition and become a practicing licensed registered dietitian.
Registered dietitian and sports nutritionist Michael Raynor, ’17, M.S. in nutrition works with athletes to help maximize their performance.
Graduate Nutrition Program News
The Dietetic Internship’s Site Preceptor Pathway (SPP) cohort of inaugural interns at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center (CFVMC) recently completed their clinical and food service management rotations under the supervision of Meredith College faculty member Christine Battle, Clinical Educator.
Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Didactic Program Director Rachel Findley was recently honored by the North Carolina Courage professional women’s soccer team. Findley received the Merz Aesthetics Woman of the Match Award on September 1.
The Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is celebrating 30 years at Meredith College.
Contact Information
Cathie Ostrowski
Martin Hall, Suite 122
(919) 760-8419
ostrowsk@meredith.edu
The Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted accredited status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606 | (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
