Dietetic Internship Program (MHS-Nutrition Concentration)

No. To become a RDN, five steps are required.

Learn more about educational pathways to become a RDN

Western Carolina University has both an accredited undergraduate program in dietetics (DPD) and an accredited dietetic internship with a graduate degree (MHS-ND) program.

• Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Western Carolina University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
• Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DI program, which is completed as part of the MHS-ND program, at Western Carolina University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

A list of ACEND accredited programs can be found at List of ACEND Accredited Progams; and additional details about the CDR credentialing exam can be found at CDR Credentialing Exam Information

*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, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: CDR Credential Eligibility Requirements

CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

• Official transcript(s) for all schools attended
• Minimum DPD GPA of 3.0
• Resume
• Detailed summary document (listing) of volunteer and/or paid experience in nutrition and dietetics
• Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree or DPD Verification Statement
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all upper-level undergraduate course work
• 3 letters of recommendation (at least one needs to be from an academic reference)
• A Personal Statement

Tuition rates are reviewed and set annually by the North Carolina legislature. The University reserves the right to alter any charges without prior notice. Graduate distance learning tuition and fees per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state rates can be found at  WCU Tuition and Fees.

Residency for tuition purposes is determined through the UNC system’s Residency Determination System (RDS). Information on the residency laws and policies can be found on the above-mentioned page. The requirements are the same for both residential and distance students.

The table below lists some examples of costs to expect during the DI program. It includes estimations and may change without prior notice.

Various financial sources, such as grants and loans are available to qualified graduate students in the Dietetic Internship Program. To become eligible, an application for financial assistance can be obtained by contacting WCU Financial Aid Office in Room 230 of the Robinson Administration Building, telephone 828.227.7290. Additional information is located at WCU Financial Aid. Financial aid recipients are expected to comply with the guidelines established by each specific granting or loaning agency.

There is a scholarship available specifically for MHS-Nutrition students in the Dietetic Internship program. The general scholarship application is required for consideration for these scholarships. Application opens during the Fall semester, and the deadline for submitting the scholarship application online is in early Spring semester. Students also must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 1 each year in order to be considered for need-based scholarships.

Graduation degree requirements for WCU can found in the Graduate Catalog.

To successfully complete Western Carolina University’s MHS-Nutrition concentration degree and receive a signed program completion Verification Statement, interns must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Pass all courses with a “B” or better
2. Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to graduate
3. Complete all competencies/Learning Outcomes for DIs
4. Complete all assignments
5. Work all assigned supervised practice hours
6. Turn in all evaluation forms
7. Attend all field trips
8. The intern must complete the required supervised practice hours and demonstrate satisfactory performance and competence throughout the program rotations as evaluated by site preceptors and Dietetic Internship Director
9. The intern must complete all program and self-assessments with the Dietetic Internship Director
10. The intern must demonstrate no misconduct, academic or non-academic, and must perform ethically in accordance with the values of the Academy and Code of Ethics of the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

The intern will receive a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement in-person or via mail within 2 weeks following successful completion of the MHS- Nutrition concentration, after degree conferral.

The intern will receive a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement in-person or via mail within 2 weeks following successful completion of the MHS- Nutrition concentration, after degree conferral.

All coursework during the first year of study is completed through 100% online formats and provides flexibility to learn where you live! Once supervised practice site placement through practicum courses begins during the summer, the expectation continues for students to have access to a computer, scanner, printer, and the internet for communication, documentation, and assignment completion. MHS-ND students are required to live within a reasonable distance and commute to supervised practice placement sites once practicum courses and supervised practice rotations begin.

The MHS-ND (Dietetic Internship) Supervised Practice sites are:

• Approved sites that are located in the greater regional area, with flexibility to sites in a larger geographical boundary depending on student interest.
• With qualified and experienced preceptors.
• Arranged placement by WCU Nutrition and Dietetic faculty and/or student connections in which WCU faculty facilitates the needed administrative details for the student.

Time allocation 
Activities to assess competencies must be included in the program and sufficient time must be scheduled in each area to enable students to practice the role of the dietitian. About 50% of supervised practice hours are in clinical or MNT experiences, 25% are in community experiences, and 25% are in foodservice management and administrative dietetic experiences. Alternate practice experiences (e.g. simulation, role playing, case studies) are also part of the supervised practice % as needed.