Program Information
Curriculum:
For dietetic interns requiring supervised practice and a Master's degree:
The Combined Dietetic Internship/Master's Degree Program [CDI/MDP] is 18 months in length with the first 12 months (49 weeks) devoted to completing the accredited Dietetic Internship Program and 15 hours of graduate school coursework, for dietetic interns requiring a Master's degree. See the CWRU link for more information on graduate classes: https://case.edu/medicine/nutrition/education/masters-programs/ms-nutrition/combined-dietetic-internshipmasters-degree-program
Dietetic interns are scheduled in Supervised Practice Experiences four days each week (32 hours), Tuesday through Friday, in the fall and spring. During the summer months (May - July) they complete supervised practice experiences Monday through Friday (40 hours). The program provides over 1200 hours of supervised practice during the 12 month (49 week) internship.
Classes for dietetic interns are offered at CWRU on Mondays and one evening in the fall and on Mondays in the spring. In the final semester of the graduate program, students enroll for at least 15 hours of graduate credit and take a written comprehensive examination in order to complete requirements for the Master's Degree.
View requirements for Master's degree at: https://case.edu/medicine/nutrition/education/masters-programs/ms-nutrition/combined-dietetic-internshipmasters-degree-program
For dietetic interns requiring supervised practice:
The Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC Dietetic Internship is 12 months (49 weeks) in length. Dietetic interns are scheduled in Supervised Practice Experiences four days each week (32 hours), Tuesday through Friday, in the fall and spring. During the summer months (May - July) they complete supervised practice experiences Monday through Friday (40 hours). The program provides over 1200 hours of supervised practice during the 12 month (49 week) internship.
Program Completion:
Dietetic Interns are required to satisfactorily complete all supervised practice rotations and to remain in a satisfactory academic status throughout the internship. A satisfactory level of performance is defined as an overall rating of three or more on the rotation evaulations for Supervised Practice.
With the advent of the CDR graduate degree requirement, effective January 1, 2024, dietetic interns must enter the program with a completed Master's Degree or successfully complete the affiliated CWRU Master's degree along with the internship rotations to receive a verification statement.
The Dietetic Internship and the Credentialing Process:
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) establishes requirements for eligibility to take the entry-level registration examination for dietitians. Effective January 1, 2024, requirements include academic preparation (minimum of a graduate degree; completion of a ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics), completion of a ACEND accredited supervised practice program and confirmation of academic and practice requirements by verification.
Verification of academic and didactic requirements is necessary for entry in the Louis Stokes CVAMC Dietetic Internship Program. Completion of the Program allows the student to meet the second requirement of CDR (completion of a ACEND accredited supervised practice program).
Individuals who successfully complete the program, and have a completed graduate degree, are verified by the Program Director as meeting academic and practice requirements. This is the third requirement to establish eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians. Attainment of the RD credential also establishes eligibility for certification/licensure at the state level.
Information about state licensure can be found at: https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/licensure/licensure-map-and-statutes-by-state
