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Dietetic Internship Handbook

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2025-2026 Calendar

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For any questions, please contact:

Katie Steffen, Ed.D, MS, RDN, LDN
Director of Dietetic Internship

katherine.steffen@wku.edu 

Academic Complex 209A

270-745-2092

 

Program Information

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

  1. Complete at least a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university in the United States and complete course work in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Completion of the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration, within the Hospitality Management & Dietetics major, at Western Kentucky University allows for the completion of the bachelor's degree and the necessary course work.

  2. Complete an internship that is accredited by ACEND. Traditionally, during the last year of undergraduate work, students apply to internship programs and begin the internship after graduating from an accredited undergraduate program. Entrance into internships is highly competitive - an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.3 to 3.5 and relevant work experience and/or volunteer experience aid in the preparation for a supervised practice program. 

  3. Pass the credentialing exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) following completion of an ACEND accredited internship.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) required a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website here. 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 Nutrition & Dietetics program (Didactic Program in Dietetics) at Western Kentucky University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs.

*In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure  requirements click here.

*For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

 

Program Admissions

  • A minimum of a Baccalaureate degree.
  • A minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) prior to the start date of the internship.
  • A signed "Verification Statement" or "Declaration of Intent" to complete degree.
  • We DO NOT require a personal interview for acceptance into the WKU Dietetic Internship.
  • We DO NOT award credit for prior learning experiences (coursework, supervised practice hours, or direct assessment).
  • As of January 2024, the WKU Dietetic Internship does NOT require the GRE.

Admissions will also be based upon the application submitted through DICAS (see Application Process for details), personal statement, resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and work experience.

Application Process

The Dietetic Internship at Western Kentucky University uses an online centralized internship application known as DICAS. There are five steps to the full application process:

Complete the online centralized internship application, Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS), which may be accessed at the DICAS Portal. The DICAS portal will be available for applications as of August 5, 2026.
WKU will accept applications on a rolling basis from August 5, 2026 until February 15, 2027.
  • Applicants who submit by October 20th will be notified of their acceptance or rejection by November 1st.
  • Applicants who submit by February 15th will be notified of their acceptance or rejection by March 1st.
  • Applications submitted after February 15th will be considered if there are spots remaining.*
Applications submitted after February 1 will be considered if spots are remaining. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.
*Applications submitted after February 15, 2026, will be reviewed and considered after all initial applications. For late submissions, offers of placement will be made on an individual basis until all spots are filled.
Accepted applicants must notify the Dietetic Internship (DI) Director of their acceptance of or withdrawal from the program by March 10, 2027. A phone call or email to the DI Director is required for acceptance.
Interns will apply to the WKU Graduate School after acceptance into the Internship. Admission requirements for the internship also meet WKU Graduate School requirements. Interns will apply to the WKU certificate of Dietetic Practice and the MBA Program. 

 

The Western Kentucky University Dietetic Internship is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

NOTE: 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 addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, an RDN must also obtain licensure to practice. For information on dietetic program accreditation, refer to: http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND 

Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics

120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

(800)-877-1600 (ext. 5400)

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 Last Modified 4/30/26