Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate

KU offers a dietetic internship graduate certificate program with a medical nutrition therapy emphasis that prepares graduates for a career as a registered dietitian. This program is designed for those applicants who have already completed a master's degree. The mission of the program is to produce competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists with enhanced skills in nutrition therapy using evidence-based practices to support the health of citizens of Kansas, the region, the nation, and the world.

The program prepares graduates to be competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

  • At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 12 months (150% of the program length).
  • 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • 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%.
  • 80% of employers who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment indicate that graduates demonstrate adequate knowledge and practice ability for entry-level practice as a dietitian (rating of at least 4 on a 5-point scale) over a 3-year period.
  • Three years post program completion, 80% of respondents to graduate surveys rate their preparation for entry level practice as adequately prepared or better over a 3-year period.

The program prepares graduates for practice in the field of dietetics and nutrition and participation in professional organizations.

  • Of graduates seeking employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • 60% of respondents to graduate surveys are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or related professional organizations over a 3-year period.

Students completing the dietetic internship graduate certificate program have already completed a graduate degree, and thus, will be eligible to complete the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the purpose of receiving the registered dietitian credential. KU dietetic interns have an excellent first-time pass rate on the national exam. All U.S. states with licensure and certification requirements currently accept the registered dietitian credential for state licensure and certification purposes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on specific state licensure requirements. 

Accreditation
The University of Kansas dietetic internship graduate certificate program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Documents relating to accreditation may be obtained from the department office.