To become a Registered Dietitian,
students must first complete an educational program that has been
approved and accredited by the American Dietetic Association. The
student must have the institution where they completed these courses
review their transcripts and issue the student a final verification
statement before the student can enter a dietetic internship. Or, See
Dr. Nancy Lu, Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Director for a
transcript evaluation.
Overview of the Dietetic
Internship
A Dietetic Internship is a 9-12 month
full-time program approved by the
American
Dietetic Association with a minimum of 900 supervised hours. The
Dietetic Internship begins upon completion of a bachelor's or master's
degree. In the Directory of Dietetic Programs pamphlet, there are
currently 108 listings of internships available for students.
Each Dietetic Internship program differs in
length of program, number of interns, commencement date of program, and
offers of financial aid of stipends. Students interested in specific
programs listed in the Directory of Dietetic Programs should contact the
facility for further information. The Directory of Dietetic Programs is
available for purchase from the American Dietetic Association, or excerpts
may be obtained from Dr. Nancy
Lu , Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Director.
Students have two ways of becoming Registered Dietitians
upon completion of their bachelor's degrees in Nutritional Science with a concentration
in Dietetics at SJSU. Students need to do a supervised practice of either of the following
two types: an internal or an external Dietetic Internship (DI).
Internal Dietetic Internship
Upon successful completion of an internal or external Dietetic
Internship, the student can then take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians
to become a registered dietitian. Please see the following pages and San Jose State's
Nutrition and Food Science Department's Internal Dietetic Internship brochure or the
Internal DI director Dr. Kathryn Sucher for more
information about the internal DI program at SJSU. An internal Dietetic Internship
application meeting is conducted by Dr. Sucher at the beginning of each semester. All NuFS
students are welcome to attend and obtain information about the application process.
External Dietetic Internship
There is also a Directory of Dietetic Programs, available for
purchase from the American Dietetic Association. Listings include internal and external
Dietetic Internships nationwide. Excerpts from the directory may be obtained from
Dr. Nancy Lu, DPD
director. An external Dietetic Internship application meeting is conducted by Dr. Lu each
fall semester (end of September or early October). All NuFS students are welcome to attend
and obtain information about transcript evaluation and the application process.
After the student has completed their DPD
requirements and an approved dietetic internship, the student will
register for and take the national exam for Registered Dietitians. After
passing this exam and completing the required paperwork required by the
American Dietetic Association, the student will be a Registered
Dietitian.
