Dietetic Internship

The LDI is committed to the development of emerging professional Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who firmly believe that nutrition has a profound importance in promoting human health and quality of life. The focus of learning activities is to strengthen the intern's knowledge requirements, and support the development of competence and skills guided by accreditation standards to meet program goals and learning outcomes through constructive and supportive supervised practice.

Interns should become competent in the application of theoretical education, adjusting to the reality of existing practice environments, and develop interaction skills with other professionals, workers, and clients. Competent practice is defined not only as the application of knowledge in nutrition, foods, and related areas, but also as the development and use of skill in leadership, communication, and management.

Throughout the internship, emphasis is placed on the conviction that the competent and ethical practice of dietetics is infused with service to God and fellow humans.

To become a registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) The following criteria must be completed:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
2. Completion of an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program, such as the Loyola Dietetic Internship,
3. Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians, national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
4. More information regarding the examination can be found online through CDR.
5. Licensure is required to practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the State of Illinois (https://www.idfpr.com/profs/dietNutrition.asp)

To maintain the RDN credential, one must complete continuing professional education requirements.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require the minimum of a master's degree to be eligible for the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement, please refer to the CDR website.

Upon successful completion of all LDI program requirements (supervised practice, didactic, seminars, and others based on track), students receive a verification statement of completion of the ACEND - accredited dietetic internship and are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In the State of Illinois, one must be licensed by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to practice dietetics. Information about licensure for dietitians in Illinois can be obtained at: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/.

Additional information about licensure for dietetic practice in other states can be found online.

TWO OPTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE LOYOLA DIETETIC INTERNSHIP

The Loyola Dietetic Internship offers two options or tracks:Dietetic Internship Certificate track (DI/C) and Master of Science in Dietetics/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI). Each track meets ACEND standards for dietetic internships. Ten students are admitted annually to each track of the LDI.

Interns complete eight rotations during the course of the program, which are nested within FONU 423, 425, and 427. Interns are typically scheduled to complete supervised practice eight hours per day, typically Monday through Friday. Interns should expect to be in supervised practice two-three weekend days per semester. Time for travel is not part of supervised practice.

Students completing either track of the LDI are required to complete 14 graduate credits as follows: a) 9 credits in didactic course work (FONU 400, 420, 422, 424, 426), and b) 5 credits in supervised practice (FONU 423, 425, 427 as described above)

Once a week, students are required to participate in class at the Loyola University Health Sciences Division (HSD) campus in Maywood, IL. Class time is not calculated in the supervised-practice hours and typically are scheduled from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Classes include lecture, discussion, group problem-solving, critical-thinking activities, exams, and additional assignments. In addition to the courses below, dietetic interns are required to attend seminars, both internal and external to the University, that enhance knowledge and skill development.

• FONU 400 - Role Development in Dietetic Practice
• FONU 420 - Dietetic Internship: Orientation: 1 credit
• FONU 422 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Theory: 3 credits
• FONU 423 - Supervised Practice in MNT and D-MNT: 2 credits
• FONU 424 - Public Health Nutrition and Research Theory: 3 credits
• FONU 425 - Supervised Practice in Public Health Nutrition, Research, Professional Development, and Marketing 2 credits
• FONU 426 - Food Management Theory: 1 credit
• FONU 427 - Supervised Practice in Food Management and Long-Term Care: 1 credit

Besides those listed above, students enrolled in the MS/DI program are required to take additional courses which are part of the Master of Science in Dietetics degree program. Please note that completion of the MS in Dietetics degree also requires successful comprehensive exam completion according to policies of the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health.

Details about the Loyola academic calendar, including the start dates of each semester, can be found online.

Interns broaden their perspective on various areas of dietetics through seminars, group tours, and other activities. Participation in all seminars and related activities is mandatory for all interns. Examples include: participation in the Distinguished Speaker Seminar Series and the Palmer Research Symposium sponsored by the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing; Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA) Annual Assembly; IDA Lobby Day in Springfield, IL; seminars on sports nutrition, reimbursement and ethical issues in dietetic practice; media training; and an ethnic food tour. Participation in these activities is required. This time is not calculated as part of supervised-practice or didactic hours. An additional fee is added to tuition to cover the costs of seminar participation.

Loyola Dietetic Internship Certificate (DI/C) Track Program Completion Requirements:

Completion of the DI/C requires successful completion of:

• FONU 400
• FONU 420
• FONU 422
• FONU 423
• FONU 424
• FONU 425
• FONU 426
• FONU 427
• All required seminars

This is 8 courses, 14 credits, and includes 1020 hours of supervised practice as part of FONU 423, 425, and 427.

Upon completion of the DI/C requirements, the student receives the ACEND Verification Statement of Completion of a Dietetic Internship and is eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Loyola Dietetic Internship + Master of Science in Dietetics (MS/DI) Track Graduation and Program Completion Requirements:

Completion of the MS/DI requires successful completion of:

• FONU 400
• FONU 410
• FONU 420
• FONU 422
• FONU 423
• FONU 424
• FONU 425
• FONU 426
• FONU 427
• FONU 501
• FONU 503
• FONU 507
• MPBH 404
• MHA 405
• MHA 415
• MPBH 422
• MPBH 407 or SOWK 602
• MHA 451
• Elective options (1 course equals 3 credits)

This is 19 courses, 46 credits, and includes 1020 hours of supervised practice as part of FONU 423, 425, and 427, and the comprehensive exam.

Upon completion of the MS/DI requirements, the student receives the ACEND Verification Statement of Completion of a Dietetic Internship and is eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians, and a Master of Science in Dietetics degree from the Loyola University Chicago Graduate School.