Didactic Program in Dietetics

Outcome 1: At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of program length).

Outcome 2: In surveys from field experience preceptors, at least 75% of respondents will indicate agreement with respect to preparation of UTM senior dietetic students in each of the following areas: science-based knowledge required of dietetics professionals, community nutrition, food service operations, multicultural awareness, and both oral and written communication skills.

Outcome 3: In surveys from Supervised Practice Program Directors, at least 75% of respondents will indicate satisfaction with graduates preparation for supervised practice and indicate agreement with respect to UTM graduates’ preparation in each of the following areas: science-based knowledge required of dietetics professionals, community nutrition, food service operations, multicultural awareness, and both oral and written communication skills.

Outcome 4: In surveys from graduating DPD seniors, at least 75% of respondents will indicate feeling adequately prepared for their field experience.

Outcome 5: At least 75% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of program graduation.

Outcome 6: Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

Outcome 7: Of the graduates who are accepted for supervised practice within 12 months of program completion, at least 75% will indicate feeling adequately prepared for their Dietetic Internship.

Outcome 8: Of the graduates who do not apply for supervised practice programs within 12 months of program completion, at least 60% of graduates will obtain employment in a dietetics-related field or enroll in either a graduate or continuing education program.

Outcome 9: Of graduates who are accepted to a supervised practice program, at least 75% will successfully complete the program within 150% of the program's length.

Outcome 1: The program’s one year pass rate (graduates who pass the exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Outcome 2: At least 75% of program graduates will indicate that they used the study review guide for the registered dietitian nutritionist exam provided to them in their senior year as additional preparation for their supervised practice program and in preparation for taking the registration exam.

Outcome 3: At least 25% of program graduates will become preceptors for UT Martin within 3 years of passing the RDN exam.

Outcome 4: At least 30% of program graduates will be members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or another related professional organization within 3 years of passing the RDN exam.

Program outcomes data is available by request by sending an email to the program director, Dr. Amy Richards, at aricha54@utm.edu.

An undergraduate degree in dietetics is frequently the first step in becoming a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist. Admission to the Didactic Program in Dietetics at UTM (working towards an undergraduate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in dietetics) occurs after entry level courses are completed as well as other criteria being completed. Application to the DPD program typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year.

If an individual already has a bachelor’s degree and is interested in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, a second bachelor’s degree does not need to be completed, but rather specific, additional undergraduate coursework must be completed and then application to a post baccalaureate dietetic internship occurs. A Verification Statement is earned upon completion of needed undergraduate coursework and is required as part of the pathway to become a registered dietitian.

Completion of an undergraduate degree in dietetics from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by ACEND is the usual pathway for students to meet the coursework requirements for dietetic internships.

In the senior year of the dietetics program (or final year of completing undergraduate coursework if the student already has a prior degree), students apply for post baccalaureate dietetic internships that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Accredited dietetic internships require the completion of a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice.

The application process for accredited post baccalaureate dietetic internships is completed through a national online application system called DICAS that allows for one application to be completed, tailored, and submitted to multiple dietetic internships. Applications can be submitted through DICAS in February and November, however, UTM students typically submit their applications in February due to the timeframe for completion of their undergraduate courses.

For their application to ACEND accredited dietetic internships, students need to list and describe work and volunteer experiences relevant to dietetics; leadership experience; honors and awards; and educational information. A resume is also submitted along with a personal statement that makes the case for why the internship should select the applicant. Additionally, strong references are needed from faculty members and others that attest to the potential for the student to be successful.

Additionally, to be considered by most internships, students must set up an account with D & D Digital and enter the name of internships that they are applying and rank the order of preference for the internships that they list. Internships also rank the order of applicants by their preference of who they would most like to accept into their programs. D & D Digital uses a computerized system that matches students to internships based upon both the ranking of the student and the ranking of the internship. More information about the matching process can be found at https://www.dnddigital.com/ada/questions.php

Competitiveness of Dietetic Internships

Only 50% of those applying for internships are matched to an internship during the national match that occurs in February of each year. A GPA of 3.5 or higher is recommended to increase the chance of being accepted into an internship. Additionally, work and volunteer experience related to dietetics helps students be more competitive.

Length of Dietetic Internship Programs

Dietetic Internships typically last about one academic year. Many dietetic internships are associated with master’s degree programs with graduate coursework completed prior to starting the internship. As a result, students should plan to spend an additional two years after the completion of a bachelor’s degree to complete the requirements necessary to be able to sit for the national registration examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Federal financial aid is typically available for internships associated with master’s degrees.

Information about dietetic internships is available on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website at http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/acend/accredited-programs/dietetic-internships.

Once a dietetic internship has been completed, a national registration examination must be taken and passed to become a registered dietitian. Registration exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Additionally, in most states including Tennessee, state licensure must be applied for and maintained. Throughout one’s career, continuing education is required to maintain registration and licensure.

Completion of the UTM undergraduate dietetics program along with the completion of an ACEND accredited dietetic internship will meet the requirements of licensure in all states that have licensure for registered dietitians. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.