Seattle Pacific University Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Certificate Program

Information to Prospective Students

Program Description 

The program’s community nutrition concentration will provide interns with in-depth learning experiences in food security, cultural competence, and nutrition education of diverse audiences. Dietetic interns will have opportunities to complete learning activities at food banks/pantries, community centers, WIC, home care, senior services, and more. Upon program completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

Optional International Rotation

Dietetic interns may choose to complete an optional supervised practice experience in Shimla, India. Interns will spend time in clinical and community nutrition rotations in a rural area of the country. Students completing this 2-week rotation will obtain 60 hours of supervised experience. Additional tuition will be charged for this optional rotation.

Mission Statement, Program Goals, and Objectives

The mission of the SPU DI program is to prepare graduates for entry-level work as registered dietitian nutritionists to support the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities, and to be leaders in the dietetics profession and in the community at large. Our graduates will use their food and nutrition expertise to engage the culture and enhance the lives of others through effective leadership, policy impact, management of programs and services, culturally sensitive education and counseling practices, and compassionate care throughout the lifespan.

Program Goal #1: Graduates are prepared for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists in the areas of medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, and food service management.

Program Goal #1 will be assessed based on the following objectives:

• At least ninety percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. (Graduate performance on Registration Exam objective)
• 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 performance on Registration Exam objective)
• At least 80% of students complete program/degree requirements within 12 months (150% of the program length).  (Program completion objective)
• Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. (Graduate employment objective)
• At least 80% of program graduates who complete the survey will rate their preparation for entry-level practice as satisfactory or higher. (Program specific objective)
• At least 75% of employers who complete the survey will agree that graduates demonstrate satisfactory preparation for entry-level practice. (Employer satisfaction objective)

Program Goal #2: Graduates demonstrate knowledge and skills in cultural competence.

Program Goal #2 will be assessed based on the following objectives:

• At least 75% of employers who complete the survey will agree that graduates demonstrate satisfactory communication skills when interacting with culturally diverse populations across the lifespan. (Employer satisfaction objective)
• At least 80% of program finishers who complete the survey will agree that the program prepared them to provide effective culturally-sensitive nutrition education and counseling across the lifespan.
• At least 80% of program finishers who complete the survey and who participated in the optional international rotation in India will agree that the experience enhanced their knowledge in working with culturally diverse populations.

Program Goal #3: Graduates actively participate in leadership and service roles within the nutrition and dietetic profession or the community at large.

Program Goal #3 will be assessed based on the following objectives:

• At least 75% of employers who complete the survey will state that graduates are actively involved in leadership roles within their organization.
• At least 50% of graduates who complete the survey will report participation in at least one leadership position within the dietetics profession within five years of program completion.
• At least 75% of graduates who complete the survey will report involvement in a nutrition-related community service project within two years of program completion.
• At least 50% of graduates who complete the survey will report participation in one or more of the following services to the profession: precepting dietetic interns, overseeing undergraduate field experiences or internships, providing job shadows, or mentoring students.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Requirements and Process for Credentialing as a Registered Dietitian (RDN)

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), students must meet the following requirements:

• Earn a master's degree and receive a verification statement from an accredited didactic program in dietetics, or equivalent.
• Meet the admission requirements for an ACEND-regulated supervised practice graduate program, which includes completion of required academic courses and minimum GPA requirements.
• Gain acceptance into a supervised practice program.
• Successfully complete a supervised practice program, which requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience.
• Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

Changes to RDN Credentialing Requirements

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: http://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. 

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Seattle Pacific University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

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, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found here.

Washington State Licensure Requirements

The practice of dietetics in Washington State in regulated by the Washington State Department of Health and requires a state license separate from national registration. Application for licensure requires attestation of education and/or continuing education, proof of credential verification, submission of all required forms including any supplemental documents as requested, and pay all associated fees. More information on licensing requirements and application can be found through the Washington State Department of Health.

Application and Admission Requirements

Fall 2024 Application Cycle:

• The Fall 2024 SPU DICAS application will open on August 5, 2024.
• If you are a current SPU student or alumni, the pre-select application due date is October 11, 2024.
• If you are not applying in the pre-select application phase, the application due date is October 18, 2024.
• Applicants will be notified no later than November 1, 2024.
• Applicants must respond no later than November 15, 2024.

  What are the benefits of applying in the Fall 2024 cycle for a Fall 2025 start date?

• The SPU DI program has 11 intern positions available per academic year. Applying during the Fall cycle increases your odds of being accepted to the program since there will be more spots available during this cycle compared to the Spring 2025 cycle. Once 11 interns have been accepted to the program, it will be full for the next academic year.
• Accepting a position in the SPU DI program in Fall 2024 provides you with additional time to plan for your time as a dietetic intern, such as securing housing and preparing for your supervised practice rotations.

  Spring 2025 Application Cycle:

• The Spring SPU DICAS application will open on December 16, 2024.
• If you are a current SPU student or alumni, the pre-select application due date is January 25, 2025.
• If you are not applying in the pre-select application phase, the application due date is February 1, 2025.
• Applicants will be notified no later than March 1, 2025.
• Applicants must respond no later than March 15, 2025.

In addition to the DICAS application fee, a $50.00 nonrefundable program application fee is due at the time of application and no later than the stated deadlines. Click on the following payment portal to submit your application fee: Dietetic Internship Payment Portal.

Questions about applying to the SPU Nutrition and Dietetics Internship program should be directed to Dr. Joey Freeman, program director, at: freemj2@ctienviron.com.

Academic and Program Calendar

Program Schedule

The SPU DI program follows the University calendar. SPU operates on the quarter system, and each quarter is 11 weeks in length, (10 weeks of instruction followed by finals week). Autumn quarter spans from late September through early December followed by a multi-week Christmas break. Winter quarter begins in early January and ends in mid-March followed by a weeklong spring break. Spring term begins in late March and concludes in late May. 

Dietetic interns accepted into the SPU DI program will begin on-boarding the summer prior to the start of the program. A Verification Statement indicating completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics will need to be submitted to the program director. Additionally, an official transcript conferring a master's degree or proof of acceptance into an online master's program is required. In addition, criminal background checks, immunization verification and other required procedures will need to be completed before interns may begin the program in September.

Program orientation will occur in September. During orientation, dietetic interns will learn in depth information about the program, including the mission, goals and objectives, supervised practice rotation sites, preceptors, assignments, seminar sessions, core competencies, intern expectations, evaluation criteria, and etiquette. Interns will also have ample time to get to know their peers and will participate in team-building activities. Orientation will prepare dietetic interns to begin supervised practice experience in the following weeks. Program completion will take place in May.

Dietetic Internship Rotation Descriptions

Clinical Nutrition/MNT: The Intern will spend 12 weeks working alongside a Registered Dietitian in clinical in-patient and/or outpatient settings. The intern will work as part of an inter-professional team, and develop skills in the Nutrition Care Process, nutrition education and counseling, and designing educational materials for clients. These experiences will enable the intern to progress in responsibility, culminating with staff relief. This supervised practice experience will prepare the intern for entry-level work as a clinical dietitian to provide compassionate care across the lifespan. 

Community Nutrition: The Intern will spend 10 weeks working alongside a Registered Dietitian or other community nutrition professional in community nutrition organizations, such as WIC, Pregnancy Aid, community centers, food banks, and/or senior centers. The Intern will gain in-depth learning experiences in food security, cultural competence, and nutrition education of diverse audiences, and practice counseling and educating individuals, families, and community groups of diverse backgrounds and age levels These experiences will enable the intern to complete a culminating community needs assessment project. 

Food Service Management: The dietetic Intern will spend 5 weeks working alongside a Registered Dietitian or chef in a school district, hospital, or senior living facility. The intern will develop skills in menu planning, standardized recipe development, procurement, food safety/sanitation audits, financial management, human resources, and assessment of environmental impact. This rotation will enable the intern to practice managerial responsibilities over the term, preparing the intern for entry-level work as a foodservice dietitian.   

*Rotation schedules vary and are individualized for each intern based on survey feedback provided and availability of supervised practice sites.  

Program Completion Requirements

Dietetic interns will be assessed quarterly in the dietetic internship seminar and practicum. To pass with a satisfactory grade (P), interns must achieve the following: complete required number of hours in assigned rotations, meet ACEND requirements for entry-level knowledge and competencies in assigned rotations/practice areas, and receive minimum "meets expectations" ratings on preceptor evaluations. To pass the dietetic internship seminar, interns must complete all didactic coursework at a satisfactory level within pre-determined timeframes. Satisfactory performance will be required in both the dietetic seminar and practicum in order to complete the program and earn a Verification Statement. Interns will have a maximum of 12 months to complete the program.

Distance Education Technology Requirements

SPU Dietetic Interns will need access to a laptop computer with a camera, headset, and Wi-Fi. SPU offers an affordable laptop program for students. Interns are required to utilize Zoom video conferencing and the Canvas Learning Management System. The SPU Educational Technology and Media Department provides support to students using these systems. For more information, visit the ETM Student Resources Wiki.

Availability of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid is not available to dietetic interns enrolled at SPU. Some scholarship funding may be available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Faculty Contact

Joey Freeman

Assistant Professor of Nutrition; Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Director; Chair of Food and Nutritional Sciences; Co-chair of Family and Consumer Sciences Department; Registered Dietitian
PhD, Seattle Pacific University

Email: freemj2@ctienviron.com
Phone: 206-281-2006
Office: Peterson Hall 207