Dietetic Internship
Requirements
Number of Interns: The program is accepting a maximum of 10 students.
Minimum Application Requirements
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- An approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement or declaration of intent within the last 5 years.
- A minimum cumulative and DPD GPA of 3.0. Applicants with lower GPAs are encouraged to contact the DI program director for possible exceptions.
- Submission of three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a scholarly writing sample focused on nutrition and dietetics.
- Participation in DICAS with careful attention to the transcript submission requirements.
- Completion of criminal bacground checks, immunization clearance (including COVID-19 vaccine/booster), a 10-panel drug screen, and fingerprinting before the pgroam starts.
- A minimum TOEFL score of 560 (paper-based) or 241 (computer-based) is required ONLY for students who do not hold/or will have a degree from an English-speaking university before starting the program.
Preferred Qualifications
- Work experience, paid or volunteer in dietetics.
Application Process
- Apply through DICAS by January 15 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
- Post-appointment after March 15, accepted students must apply to the CSU Cal Apply graduate program, which includes an application fee.
- The Dietetic Internship Program Director will provide more guidance after acceptance.
Dietetic Internship Applicant Evaluation Rubric
The rubric outlines the evaluation criteria used by the Food Science and Nutrition Department to rank applicants for the Dietetic Internship Program. It also provides a detailed breakdown of the scoring system, highlighting the skills, qualifications, and attributes we prioritize in selecting candidates. Prospective students can use this resource to better understand our selection process and align their application materials accordingly.
The following link will provide the rubric: Dietetic Internship Applicant Evaluation Rubric
Contact Information: For further inquiries, contact the Program Director, Erika Ireland, at eireland@csufresno.edu or call 559-278-8009.
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 order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2024. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. 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 California State University, Fresno (CSUF) Dietetic Internship program at CSUF are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
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.