Dietetic Supervised Practice Programs

Dietetic Supervised Practice Programs


For students wishing to be registered dietitian nutritionists, an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program is required to be eligible to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

There are various routes to RDN Registration Eligibility which include the following:

  1. Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics: Graduate-level, competency-based dietitian nutritionist program that integrates coursework and at least 1,000 hours of experiential learning for RDN eligibility.
  2. Dietetic Internships: Post bachelor’s — at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice only for RDN eligibility (must complete DPD and at least a bachelor’s degree before entry). Some programs offer a graduate degree in conjunction with supervised practice.
  3. Coordinated Programs in Dietetics: Bachelor’s and graduate level — dietitian coursework and at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice for RDN eligibility (combined program).

As of January 1, 2024, a Master’s degree is required to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) maintains a current list of the supervised practice programs which details the cost, length, and type of program (e.g. programs that offer distance education, result in graduate degree, or option for graduate degree). Admission to supervised practice programs is competitive. A strong academic record, volunteer or paid relevant work experience, and strong recommendations from faculty and employers will increase the likelihood that a student will be admitted to a program.

New Dietetics Application Process for ACEND® Supervised Practice Programs (DIs, CPs, GPs)

All supervised practice programs have the option to participate in the Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). This portal offers a convenient service for applicants to apply to multiple dietetics programs with a single application. DICAS is a service of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Please note, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, programs are not required to use DICAS so read individual program website’s carefully for specific application instructions and deadlines.

During its January 2024 meeting, the ACEND® Board voted to discontinue the dietetics application match (through D&D Digital) and approved the proposed application process for dietetics. The new process follows the typical university and most other health professions’ admissions process. The following are highlights of these decisions:

1. The computer matching process provided by D&D Digital will be discontinued. Spring 2024 marks the last cycle that will use the computer matching process. The revised Dietetics Application Process will launch for the Fall 2024 cycle.

2. To ensure an equitable process and level the playing field, all supervised practice program types (DIs, CPs and GPs), including those not participating in DICAS, must follow and abide by the applicant notification due date and the applicant decision due date starting Fall 2024. Programs will set their OWN application deadlines for each cycle so you must carefully read the program specific due date. 

FALL Cycle Notification Dates

    • November 1, 2024: Applicant notification due date. Programs must notify applicants on or before this date.
    • November 15, 2024: Applicant decision due date. Programs may NOT require an applicant’s decision to accept an appointment prior to this date.

SPRING Cycle Notification Dates

    • March 1, 2025: Applicant notification due date. Programs must notify applicants on or before this date.
    • March 15, 2025: Applicant decision due date. Programs may NOT require an applicant’s decision to accept an appointment prior to this date

Students should be aware and plan for the incurred costs for applying to various supervised practice experiences. These costs vary widely and may include the DICAS application fee, D&D Digital fee, individual program fee, and/or graduate school admission fees.

Supervised Practice Program Application Assistance


The DPD Program Faculty provides assistance with applying to Dietetic Internships through annual informational meetings, student access to application resources via student academic portal, and through individual advising sessions. Resources provided to students include information aimed at improving chances of matching to a dietetic internship program. Some topics include: how to choose a dietetic internship program to meet student’s interests and needs, steps in the application process, how to write an effective personal statement, preparing for an interview, and many more.

Supervised Practice Programs Available from Nutritional Sciences

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Nutritional Sciences partners with industry leading programs throughout the country so you can obtain both a world class education and dietetic internship at the same time. Click here to learn more about our partnerships with Mayo Clinic, Virginia Commonwealth University, Aramark, and Nuvance Healthcare.

The UW Integrated Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics

UW-Health and the Department of Nutritional Sciences have partnered to bring you the UW Integrated Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. This program is a great option for students who want to seamlessly transition from their undergraduate DPD program to the MS Clinical Nutrition.

  • 4 semester program – you are RDN eligible within 15 months of finishing your Bachelor’s degree.
  • Affordability at an academic medical center and renowned University – tuition is under $32,000
  • Personalization of rotations to fit YOUR career exploration and goals
  • 100% 1-year pass rate!

 NEW program concentrations for 2025-2026 academic year

  1. Medical Nutrition Therapy- Adult Emphasis – 25 weeks exploring chronic, acute, surgery, pediatrics, nutrition clinic, renal, diabetes and critical care with remaining weeks in public health settings and food system administration.
  2. Medical Nutrition Therapy-Pediatric Emphasis – 16-18 weeks in various pediatric settings, 6-8 weeks in adult medical nutrition therapy, with remaining weeks in community nutrition and public health settings and food system administration.
  3. Lifestyle Medicine & Community Nutrition – 8 weeks in lifestyle medicine, community and public health settings, 5-6 weeks in culinary medicine/food system administration, and 20 weeks in various medical nutrition therapy settings.

Application Deadlines – starting Fall 2024. Applications will be reviewed in both the fall and spring cycles with a program start date in June 2025. All applications should be submitted via DICAS.

  • Fall Cycle – Apply by Sunday, October 6, 2024
  • Spring Cycle – Apply by Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

To learn more program details, view the 2024-2025 Open House video below visit their official website at UW-Health.