COLLEGE OF APPLIED & NATURAL SCIENCES

Application to a Dietetic Internship

Students completing the DPD with the ACEND verification statement are eligible to apply for dietetic internships. These internships are highly competitive. Students are encouraged to begin as freshmen doing those things that will increase the likelihood of acceptance. This includes maintaining a high grade point average, obtaining volunteer or paid work experience in a dietetics related facility, and being active in professional and service-based organizations. Since many internships also require GRE scores, students should plan to test early enough to retest if necessary to earn a higher score.

Students are encouraged to check out a variety of internships and apply for those with which their personal career goals best align. The ACEND web site (www.eatright.org/ACEND/) includes a database of all accredited dietetic internships. Most utilize the DICAS portal for application and computer matching through D&D Digital. Additional information about application and computer matching for dietetic internships is available on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics web site:  http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students.

Admission requirements to the various DI programs vary. Some, like the one at Louisiana Tech, include graduate education as part of the program, and thus GRE scores are required.

Students interested in the DI at Louisiana Tech University can obtain additional information about the program on the Tech website. Students should also discuss their interest with Heather McKenzie, MS, RDN, LDN, Director of the DI, when they enter Upper Division.

Students are not guaranteed a DI position at Louisiana Tech University or any other DI after graduation. Graduates of the DPD who are not admitted to a DI are eligible to sit for the exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). However, until they complete a DI or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP), they will not be able to take the national exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, nor will they be able to obtain a license to practice as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Note: Only those students who go through computer matching for a DI and who do not match are eligible for ISPPs.

For more information, contact Mrs. Dawn Erickson, MPH, RD, LDN, DPD Director. (318.257.3043; erickson@latech.edu)

If you are unable to reach Mrs. Erickson, contact the Director of the School of Human Ecology (318.257.3727).