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WCU’s Dietetic Internship Program is included in a 22-month Master of Health Sciences (MHS)- Nutrition concentration program which begins each Fall semester, and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Dietetic Internship supervised practice experiences are conducted during the second year of the program and are open to both regional and national locations.
DICAS opens in August 2024 for initial Fall admissions selection.
WCU Early Acceptance Applications Due: December 1, 2024
Regular DICAS applicant review is due and will close by February 1, 2025.
DICAS will remain open until June 1, 2025 only if all spots have not been filled. After June 1, 2025 DICAS application review will be closed for this cohort.
DICAS initial application fee of $50 & $20 per subsequent application
Cost: Tuition and Fees are based on distance or residential status.
Financial Aid: MHS students are eligible for educational loans and financial aid.
Additional funding sources for graduate students are available.
The mission of the Dietetic Internship Program is to provide a high quality supervised practicum that prepares entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists and promotes life-long learning, meaningful engagement, and service to the region.
Goal 1 Graduates will become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists practicing in North Carolina and Appalachia.
Objective 1.1: “At least 80% of responding employers of dietetic internship program graduates will indicate satisfaction with graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice.”
Objective 1.2: At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within 36 months (150% of the program length).
Objective 1.3: 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Objective 1.4: 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%.
Objective 1.5: Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Goal 2 Graduates will pursue individualized professional development activities and engagement in service.
Objective 2.1: At least 80% of program graduates will complete a professional development activity within the first year of program completion.
Objective 2.2: At least 80% of program graduates will pursue service to the profession of dietetics as a preceptor, leader, or through civic engagement within 5 yrs post- graduation.
Program outcome data available upon request.
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.
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).
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.
Type of Cost | Amount |
---|---|
Graduate School Application |
$65.00 |
$58.00 |
|
Textbooks and Supplies |
~$400.00 |
Professional Liability Insurance |
$25.00 |
Criminal Background Check |
$40.00 |
Drug Screen |
$38.00 |
Health Insurance |
$1376.00 |
Immunizations |
(max if not covered by Ins.) $140.00 |
Rent, Food, and Gas |
Varies per site, preference and commute |
Dietetic Internship |
Varies per site |
Tuition |
See WCU graduate school website |
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:
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:
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.