Nutrition and Food Studies
Photo of pot on stove in cooking lab.

To Become an RD/RDN

To Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)

Most students in Dietetics, choose to continue their studies to obtain credentials as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN). This credential qualifies students for higher positions and a greater variety of career choices. Upon successful completion of the DPD coursework in the dietetics program, students are eligible to receive a verification statement. With this verification statement and a bachelor’s or master’s degree, students can apply to a dietetic internship program.

To obtain credentials as an RD/RDN, students must complete the following:

  1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and complete DPD coursework
  2. Obtain ACEND Verification Statement
  3. Complete a supervised practice from an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship Program
  4. Pass a national RD/RDN examination

For detailed information about how to obtain  the RD/RDN credentials, visit ACEND.

Careers as an RD/RDN

Once you’ve obtained the RD/RDN credential, you can work in a variety of settings such as the following:

  • Community and Public Health
  • Food & nutrition-related industries
  • Hospitals and healthcare facilities
  • Private Practice
  • Research
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Universities 

For more detailed information about potential careers as an RD/RDN, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Website: Careers in Nutrition in Dietetics

How to Apply to a Dietetic Internship

Once you have completed the DPD curriculum, you are now ready to apply to an ACEND Accredited Dietetic Internship Program.

Each Dietetic Internship program has their own application requirements. Most programs require applicants to:

  • Complete an application through DICAS
  • Prioritize internships for matching on D&D Digital
  • Complete other application requirements as mandated by individual Dietetic Internship Programs

Computer matching through D&D Digital is one part of the Dietetic Internship application process. To match to a Dietetic Internship Program, applicants rank their programs of interest and the program ranks the applicant.

When does computer matching occur?