51±¬ÁÏ

The 51±¬ÁÏ's Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Program is dedicated to providing advanced professional education, broadening intellectual perspectives, and promoting ethical professional practice based on humanitarian values.  At 51±¬ÁÏ, a major focus is to foster a learning environment where students and interns are taught to respond to social, cultural, intellectual, and technological challenges.  In addition, emphasis is placed on the development of skills for continuing professional development and enhanced ability, including leadership, to respond to the versatile demands of the dietetics profession.

The program at 51±¬ÁÏ is designed to prepare dietetic interns to become entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) with the added strength of a Master of Science in Nutrition.  Throughout the 21-month program, interns will be provided with a professional and academic environment in which to develop the skills needed to become competent in the areas of nutrition therapy, community dietetics, management, business, and leadership.

The goal of the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined Master's of Science/Dietetic Internship Program is to provide dietetic interns with the resources and experiences to develop the knowledge, skills, and principles needed to become competent Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN), with the abilities to practice in a variety of settings. After completion of the program, interns will demonstrate a broad knowledge of the following:

• Nutrition and biological sciences
• Pathophysiology of disease
• Management theories and practices
• Food and nutrition research principles
• Leadership

Additionally, graduates will be able to apply this knowledge, skill, and principles to sound nutrition practice.

Internship Program Goals

Program Goal 1: 

To prepare program graduates to practice as competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).

Program Goal 1 Objectives: 

• At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 24 months (150% of planned program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 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%.
• At least 80% of responding employers will rate graduates as competent (i.e. a score of 3 or > on a scale of 1–5) for entry-level practice when surveyed one-year post graduation.
• At least 80% of responding graduates will rate that they felt prepared (i.e. a score of 3 or > on a 1–5 scale) when surveyed one-year post graduation.

Program Goal 2:

To develop program graduates to be entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) that utilize their foundation of knowledge and skills in leadership.

Program Goal 2 Objectives:

• At least 80% of interns will identify an increased knowledge base of leadership (using a YES/NO scale) during the internship when surveyed using the End Internship Program Evaluation.
• At least 80% of interns will affirm (using a YES/NO scale) that they have utilized their leadership knowledge (that they obtained during the internship) in one or more professional settings during the internship when surveyed using the End Internship Program Evaluation.
• At least 80% of responding graduates will affirm (using a YES/NO scale) that they have utilized their leadership knowledge (that they obtained during the internship) in one of more professional settings post internship when surveyed on-year post graduation.
• At least 80% of responding employers will rate 3 or > in response to graduates exhibiting leadership skills in the practice setting when surveyed one-year post graduation.

*Outcomes data for the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined Master's of Science/Dietetic Internship Program are available upon request.

The 51±¬ÁÏ Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program is designed to provide interns with experience in:

• Medical nutrition therapy
• Community dietetics
• Food service management
• School Nutrition
• Renal/Special Population
• Elective

Throughout the program, interns are provided with the resources and experiences needed to develop the skills necessary to become competent Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). Emphasis is placed on intellectual, technological, and professional development while fostering ethical and humanitarian values.

Clinical rotations are designed to provide hands-on experience in medical nutrition therapy, allowing interns to utilize knowledge of nutrition science, biological science and pathophysiology of disease gained in the classroom. Community experiences provide active participation in nutrition intervention in the outpatient setting, while enhancing the skills needed to practice in culturally and socially diverse environments. The dietetic interns actively participate in the supervision of food service delivery at a variety of settings in the Food Service Management rotations. For the Elective experience, interns work with the internship director to create an individualized practice experience to fit their interest areas. Throughout the program, in both classes and professional practice experiences, emphasis is placed on identifying and utilizing nutrition resources and research for professional development.

The program is completed in 16 months and follows the 51±¬ÁÏ Academic Calendar. Since dietetic internship rotations are considered practicum experiences, program interns are expected to report to their scheduled rotation during University-recognized holidays. Interns are not excused from University holidays, which fall within their schedule at a practice site if their current preceptor is working on the holiday.

Interns are expected to complete both the Master of Science in Nutrition and the Dietetic Internship requirements. Upon completion of the 16-month program and all degree requirements, graduates will receive the verification statement documenting completion of the internship requirements and will be eligible to sit for the registration exam to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). In addition, program graduates will have completed the requirements for the Master of Science degree and will receive the Master of Science in Nutrition from the University. Attainment of the RDN credential also establishes the eligibility for licensure from the State Medical Board of Ohio. KSU intern graduates moving outside of Ohio will be advised to check with individual state licensure boards for RDN licensure requirements for that state.

Upon completion of the KSU 16-month Dietetic Internship Program, with a leadership concentration and all degree requirements, graduates will receive a verification statement documenting completion of the internship and will be eligible to complete the exam to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). 

In addition, program graduates will have completed the requirements for the Master of Science degree.  The Internship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutritional Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

Please Note: 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: . In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program at 51±¬ÁÏ are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements .

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN .

The 51±¬ÁÏ Combined MS/Dietetic Internship Program is completed in 35 credit hours which includes over 1200 supervised internship practice hours. The program is usually finished in 3 semesters and one summer. During the semesters, interns go to supervised practice rotation sites 3 days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and to class two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). During the summer, interns complete a 12-week, full-time clinical experience in a hospital setting. Interns will be required to have a car, auto insurance, medical insurance and professional liability insurance coverage for the duration of the internship.

Upon completion of the 16-month program and all degree requirements, graduates will receive verification statement documenting completion of the internship requirements and will be eligible to sit for the registration exam to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). In addition, program graduates will have completed and receive the Master of Science degree from the University.

The Combined KSU/Dietetic Internship Program does not award credit from previous experience(s) toward the total hours required for the internship.

For more detailed information on Practice Experience and Master of Science requirements, please refer to the Program Handbook (PDF).

51±¬ÁÏ Preadmission (For Current 51±¬ÁÏ Students Only)

Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined MS/DI Program will accept applications for preadmission from current 51±¬ÁÏ students only. Applicants for preadmission must submit a Personal Statement, Resume and one Letter of Recommendation from a work or volunteer site. All preadmission application materials must be submitted directly to the Dietetic Internship Director, Emily Baker, at ebaker9@kent.edu. Preadmission students only will not use the DICAS platform to apply.

The Fall Semester 2025 timeline for Preadmission to the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined MS/DI Program is as follows:

• 11/2/25 | Deadline for submission for all preadmission materials to ebaker9@kent.edu
• 12/1/25 | Accepted preadmission applicants will be notified
• 12/8/25 | Deadline for applicants to accept appointment
• 12/9/25 | DICAS application portal opened for all candidates to fill remaining spots (see DICAS instructions below)

DICAS Applicants

Applicants can apply to the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined MS/DI Program using the Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) beginning 12/9/25.

Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above to be considered a candidate for the KSU Combined MS/Dietetic Internship Program. As an internship candidate, your overall GPA and science GPA will be most important. Strength of nutrition-related work/volunteer experiences, personal statement and three letters of recommendation (2 Academic and 1 work/volunteer) will be considered in the selection process. GRE tests are not required for application to the KSU Graduate Program or to the KSU Dietetic Internship Program.

Please Note: If you do not meet the GPA requirement, your application cannot be processed as an internship candidate. However, you can apply to the Graduate Program in Nutrition and reapply to the internship if you meet requirements in the future.

KSU Dietetic Internship Application (DICAS) Requirements

• The KSU Combined MS/Dietetic Internship Program is participating in the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics online Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS), which can be accessed at the , or e-mail dicasinfo@dicas.org.
• DICAS requirements for 51±¬ÁÏ include DICAS Application, University Transcripts, Three Recommendations (2 academic and 1 work/volunteer preferred), and an original Declaration of Intent from current undergraduate program or an original Verification Form if postgraduate status signed by an appropriate faculty. The DICAS website provides directions for each of the application requirements.
• Your application must be fully complete by January 19, 2026.
• There is no KSU Internship Application fee for the spring match.

KSU DIETETIC INTERNSHIP 2025-2026 SPRING TIMELINE

• The deadline for all dietetic internship applications submitted through DICAS for the 2025-2026 cycle is 1/19/26. Applications submitted after 1/19/26 will not be considered.
• Accepted applicants will be notified via email no later than 2/13/26.
• Accepted applicants must notify the 51±¬ÁÏ Dietetic Internship Program Director no later than 3/15/25 to confirm/decline program appointment.
• After confirmed appointment, accepted applicants must now apply to the graduate program in nutrition at 51±¬ÁÏ.

The 51±¬ÁÏ Combined Masters/Dietetic Internship Program will provide the addition of a Leadership Concentration, which has been approved by the The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dietetic Interns will be guided throughout their practice experiences to develop formal leadership knowledge and skills that they can bring with them as they begin their dietetics career and beyond. This concentration will add to the preparation of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) to position themselves as the nutrition expert and leader in any future work environment.

Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program Handbook

Additional information on the 51±¬ÁÏ Dietetic Internship Program including estimated intern costs, availability of financial aid/loan deferment/scholarships/stipends, and virtual rotation experience requirements, etc. are located in the 51±¬ÁÏ Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program Handbook.

The 51±¬ÁÏ Didactic Program is currently accredited by:

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
312-899-5400

For more information on the pathway and requirements needed to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), please visit the .

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at 51±¬ÁÏ's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Please note: The requirement of licensure to practice dietetics is not currently required by every state. The 51±¬ÁÏ Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program prepares graduates for the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, which is the prerequisite for licensure in those states that require it.