DI Program Overview & Outcomes

The Department of Nutrition, in the College of Health Sciences of West Chester University, offers a graduate-level Distance Dietetic Internship (DI) program with two tracks:

  • Masters in Community Nutrition DI (MSCN/DI)
  • Post-masters DI Certificate

The DI is a full-time 11-month program. If in the MSCN track, all students complete the requirements of the 42-credit Masters/DI program and supervised practice hours prior to receiving a DI verification statement including all course work. If in the Post-masters DI certificate program, all students will complete the 15-credit program and supervised practice hours prior to receiving a DI verification statement.

The internship program will provide the required Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Learning Outcomes (LO) and competencies with a Community concentration. Interns will complete over 1000 hours of supervised practice divided into four rotations: Community Nutrition, Foodservice Management, Clinical I (in-patient) and Clinical II (outpatient). Upon successful completion of the MSCN/DI program or Post-masters DI certification program, students will be eligible to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

As a distance education program, the WCU Dietetic Internship is an Intern Identified Supervised Practice; therefore, interns must secure preceptors and sites where they will achieve all required experiences in the above-described supervised practice rotations.

Highlights of the Dietetic Internship (DI) Program

  • Distance Dietetic Internship
  • Combined MSCN and Dietetic Internship Program
  • DI Certificate Program for students who already have a Master's degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA. 
  • Emphasis in Community Nutrition
  • Accepting 36 dietetic interns per year
  • Very affordable tuition and fees + DI is financial aid eligible through the university
  • Early Admission Process open to WCU MSCN graduate students and graduates of the WCU MSCN program
  • 100% online graduate coursework & complete the DI where you live
  • Travel to West Chester University for 3-day orientation in August
  • 15 credits worth of online DI Courses, including graduate level advanced MNT, start summer and run through May taught by full-time faculty
  • Full-time internship over 11 months to complete 1000 hours of supervised practice rotations include 8 weeks of in-patient clinical (Clinical I), 8 weeks of outpatient clinical (Clinical II), 8 weeks of community, and 8 weeks of food service management completed during the Fall and Spring semesters of the internship plus simulation and role playing
  • Dedicated Dietetic Internship Director who supports the interns throughout the program to ensure success in the supervised practice rotations and DI courses

 

 
 

DI Admissions

DI Application Policy & Procedures

DI Costs & Financial Aid

DI Early Decision Application

Distance Education Components

Forms & Documents

MSCN/DI Advisement Sheet & Curriculum Plan

Nutrition Graduate Catalog

Post-Masters DI Certificate Advisement Sheet & Curriculum Plan

Preceptor Resources

Process to Become an RDN

 

Mission, Goals, Objectives & Outcomes

Dietetic Internship Mission Statement

The mission of West Chester University’s Dietetic Internship program is to prepare program graduates to be competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists through high quality graduate level education, relevant and innovative supervised practice experiences, and collaborative leadership opportunities.

Goals and Objectives

  1. Prepare graduates to be entry-level practitioners in a variety of employment settings working with diverse populations.

    80% of graduates feel adequately prepared to work with a variety of populations and/or diverse groups.

    Of graduates who seek employment, 85% are employed in nutrition & dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

    At least 80% of DI certificate program students complete the program requirements within 16.5 months (150% of the program length).

    At least 80% of MSCN/DI program students complete the program requirements within 3 years (150% of program length).

    85% of surveyed employers will be satisfied with graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice.

  2. Prepare graduates to demonstrate professional leadership and/or an evidenced based approach in practice, education, research, or advocacy.

    30% of MSCN/DI or DI certificate program graduates actively participate in a professional organization within one year of program completion. Active participation is defined as holding a leadership position in an organization, attending a professional workshop/conference, submitting for publication, or presenting at a professional conference/workshop.

    50% of program graduates seek professional development by being a preceptor, belonging to a AND DPG, other professional organizations like ASPEN, or local professional chapter, or mentoring students.

    80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

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

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Dietetic Internship Newsletter

Contact Us/Request an Appointment

Dr. Danielle Kronmuller, DHSc, RDN, LDN, Dietetic Internship Director, 610-436-2264

Dr. Christina Riccardo, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, Assistant Professor of Nutrition & Graduate Coordinator

gradschool@wcupa.edu

This program is currently granted accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics