An Online, Post-Baccalaureate Dietetic Internship Program
Welcome to the University of Northern Colorado's innovative, nationwide Dietetic Internship program. This program, established in 1995, is unique in being the first to base the learning structure on a distance education model. You can complete the program without relocating.
This online Dietetic Internship is designed to accept up to 30 interns per year. Students, with the program director’s guidance, will select the facilities where they will complete their practice experience and will play a role in the design of their own program of study.
The Dietetic Internship, offered by the UNC Dietetics and Nutrition Department through UNC Extended Campus, begins each Summer term.
Innovative and ACEND-Accredited Internship
We encourage you to visit the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics website for more detailed information and additional resources including...
- More detailed information on the course of study and costs for the program
- Important dates
- Available areas of concentration
- Preceptor information
ACEND Accreditation
This internship program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition Education (ACEND, formerly CADE) with The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
ACEND Announcement
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program. More information:
Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Student Option Scenarios
Internship Oversight
Students, with the program director’s guidance, will select the facilities where they will complete their practice experience and will play a role in designing their program of study. Although each intern has their own program of study, all of the Required Competencies and Assignments must be completed by all interns, in not less than 1,200 practice hours. A minimum of 300 hours each must be scheduled in each of the Clinical, Community and Foodservice sets of rotations. The selected concentration area must have a minimum of 200 practice hours.
UNC Courses
To see a typical list of courses by term, visit an example Current Students page for this program.
Online Courses and On-Campus Orientation
In addition to oversight of your internship requirements, this program provides four credit hours of academic coursework. These credits are required courses to be completed online during the first two weeks of the internship, followed by a three-day orientation in Greeley, Colorado. The courses are designed to orient you to the program standards of practice and to ensure that you have the resources to attain competence in each area of practice.
Combine the Internship with an MS Degree
The Dietetic Internship is also available as part of a Dietetics MS degree (for those who have already completed an approved-DPD program and who want to combine their internship with a graduate degree).
Supervised Practicum Course
You will enroll in a practicum course for support of your internship. Completion of
the internship requires 20 credit hours total to cover supervision completion.
FND 592 Dietetics Supervised Practice (20 credits total)
For more information about the Required Competencies and Assignments, program schedule and areas of concentration, visit the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics website.
The official program description is available in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Get Started/Apply
Additional Resources
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND): 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606; Phone: 312-899-5400.
