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The five steps required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist are as follows:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program like the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Didactic Program in Dietetics.
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (like the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Combined Master’s and Dietetic Internship Program).
3. Pass the *.
4. Obtain in your state of practice, if applicable. Review
   • **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. Visit the CDR website for more information on .
5. Maintain as outlined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

*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). Read information about to become an RDN.

Specifics from DICAS will be utilized to determine suitable candidates for acceptance into the internship program as follows:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a Verification Statement from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
• A minimum overall GPA score of 3.0 and a minimum GPA score of 3.0 in DPD nutrition-related courses is preferred
• Three letters of recommendation DPD instructors, employers, advisors, or other supervisors of studies or work
• A personal statement (in 1000 words or less) which outlines:
  
  • Reason for entering the dietetic profession and seeking admission to this program
  • Experiences that have assisted in preparation for the dietetics profession
  • Short-term and long-term goals
  • Strengths and areas of improvement
• Resume documenting volunteer, work and life experiences, awards, achievements, and any other information that would contribute to the uniqueness of the candidate.

All candidates apply directly through . Upon DICAS verification, the DICAS application will be transferred to the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ graduate application portal. After DICAS is transferred, you will receive an email from the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Graduate School with graduate school account information. There is not a graduate school application fee.  Admission into the MS/DI program is contingent upon admittance into the  ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Graduate School (e.g. minimum overall GPA 2.75 or greater). Visit the Graduate School for more information. 

If you wish to be considered for a GA position in the department, please submit your DICAS application by January 15th. This will allow enough time for you to be in the university system and be sent an electronic GA inquiry form.

DICAS due dates (for a Fall 2026 MS/DI start)

• Priority deadline: 1/15/26
• 3/16/26: rolling admission until program fills

Note: BAMA students apply through DICAS using rolling admission. Contact DI Director for details.

The dietetic internship program and nutrition courses are housed in the Masters of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition & Health- . The graduate program is a minimum of 30 credits with thesis and non-thesis options available. Below is an example plan of study.

Sample 30 Credit Hour Schedule for Master's Students

Dietetic Internship Experience Hours (1,000 hours minimum):

• Clinical - Medical/Surgery | 320 hours
• Community | 300  hours
• Foodservice | 256 hours
• Research | 64 hours
• Elective Rotation | 64 hours - 128 hours
• Total of 1,004 - 1,068 hours

The ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ MS/DI follows the academic calendar.

Please refer to the Graduate School Tuition and Funding page and ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ's Scholarships and Financial Aid page for current information on university costs and expenses as well as financial awards and assistantships.

Estimated Dietetic Internship Program Expenses:

Fees are subject to change.

• Student Registration fee: $24.08
• Graduate Application fee: waived
• Books: estimated at $500.00 per semester
• Uniform: estimated at $100.00
• Transportation: Mileage estimated at $0.56/mile
• Medical examination and immunizations: cost varies
• Background check: estimated at $100.00
• Medical Insurance: varies
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: $58.00
• Conference fees: $100.00 - $400.00
• Other possible expenses – printing of professional poster for poster session presentations: $75.00

Interns must have transportation to and from supervised practice rotations.

Currently, liability insurance is provided and maintained by the University for each student enrolled in supervised practice experiences approved by the University.

Graduates will be able to apply the principles of each of the five domains below into the practice of nutrition/dietetics:

• Domain 1: Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the integration of scientific information and translation of research into practice.
• Domain 2: Professional Practice Expectations: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner level of practice.
• Domain 3: Clinical and Customer Services: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the development and delivery of information, products, and services to individuals, groups, and populations.
• Domain 4: Practice Management and Use of Resources: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.
• Domain 5: Leadership and Career Management: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the skills, strengths, knowledge, and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner.

An Ohio Public Ivy founded in 1809, ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ bears the name of the Myaamia people whose homelands are here in the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Valley. The university maintains a strong reciprocal relationship with the ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ Tribe of Oklahoma grounded in our shared commitment to learning from each other.

The main campus is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton, Ohio; Middletown, Ohio; the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester, Ohio; and the John E. Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg.

In the fall of 2022, there were 16,500+ undergraduates and 2,200+ graduate students studying at our Oxford campus, 3,500+ studying on regional campuses, and nearly 300 students per year studying in Luxembourg. These students came from 48 states and 101 countries to study at ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ.

On the Oxford campus, ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ offers in over 120 areas of study. Graduate students choose from more than 70 . Several associate degrees, as well as bachelor's degrees, are also offered through study at our regional campuses and locations.

Nutrition and Dietetics has a longstanding history at ¾Ã¾ÃË®ÃÛÌÒ with food science courses offered beginning in 1908-09. Following in 1915, the Home Economics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences was established and offered food and nutrition courses. The Dietetics program first appeared in 1945-46. The Didactic Program in Dietetics was first established in 1974 and was subsequently granted accreditation in 2004 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. The DPD program received full accreditation from the in and generally graduates approximately 30 students each year. Graduate outcomes have been strong with a 95% pass rate on the registration exam and 100% placement rate in internships for the previous five years. The graduate placement rate in internships was 100% in 2015.

The Combined Master’s Degree and Dietetics Internship is the most recent expansion to provide students with the ability to complete a Master’s degree and the required internship to become a Registered Dietitian. This is in response to growing advanced professional need in the community for more qualified nutrition professionals.