Dietetic Internship (DI)
Get the supervised practice you need to become a registered dietitian through OHSU’s ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship.
Why earn your Dietetic Internship graduate certificate from OHSU?
Attend the oldest dietetic program in the West at Oregon’s only academic health center.
- High first-time pass rate. 86% of graduates pass the RD exam on their first try.
- Personalized experience. Complete rotations at sites within OHSU’s network of 300+ clinical, community, food service and specialty settings.
- Rotations arranged for you. OHSU handles your placements and preceptors, so you can focus on learning.
- Supportive faculty. Learn from experienced dietitians and educators dedicated to your growth and success.
- Rural health experience. Opportunities to complete rotations in rural communities across Oregon.
Still undecided? Sign up to receive more information.
Scholarships available
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships that can help fund your education.
Admission and application requirements
Admissions requirements
To apply, you need:
- A graduate degree, or be enrolled in a graduate degree program
- To have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)* or be on track to complete a DPD by the time the program starts
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
*A DPD is a set of undergraduate or graduate courses required before beginning a dietetic internship. Find a DPD in your area.
View requirements for international students.
How to apply
Apply by Jan. 15 for a fall 2026 start. View deadline details.
- Create an online account through DICAS (Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services) and select “OHSU Dietetic Internship Program”
- Complete all sections of the DICAS application
- Answer all OHSU-specific program questions
- Submit three letters of recommendation (at least one from a DPD faculty member)
- Submit a personal statement
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $842 per credit for Oregon residents and non-residents. View full estimated costs, including living expenses, books, supplies and other education costs.
- Scholarships: Scholarships are available to help you fund your education, including program-specific awards and opportunities from outside organizations.
Certification and licensure requirements
Complete 22 credits to earn your Dietetic Internship graduate certificate. This includes core courses and supervised practice.
- Length: 9 months
- GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA graduate
- Supervised practice: Complete 1,056 supervised practice hours
- Graduate degree: You must also complete a master’s or doctoral degree by the time you finish the program.
View the student handbook for full requirements and cost of attendance details.
View the Dietetic Internship student learning outcomes.
Once you complete both the M.S. and DI parts of the program you will receive a verification statement signed by the DI director. After you finish all program requirements and officially receive your graduate degree, exit paperwork is sent to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This allows you to become eligible to take the registration exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from registration or certification by the CDR. Information on Oregon state licensure can be found at the Health Licensing Office of Oregon website.
Supervised practice
Get hands-on experience in clinical, community, food service and specialty settings. Apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations with guidance from experienced dietitians.
OHSU arranges your rotations for you, matching you with preceptors at locations from our network of over 300 sites across Oregon.
Supervised practice includes rotations in:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Public health organizations
- Community nutrition programs
- School nutrition and food service settings
- Farmer’s markets
- Food banks
Locations
You’ll apply to a primary location for your rotations in Portland, Bend or Southern Oregon, with opportunities to complete rural rotations in communities across Oregon.
- Portland metro: Work in high-acuity hospitals, outpatient clinics, nonprofit and community programs. This location is ideal if you’re interested in an urban experience with access to specialized clinical nutrition, pediatrics and community nutrition.
- Bend: Gain experience in an acute care hospital system, community clinics, and community farm and food programs. This location is a good fit if you are interested in a small-town feel with a focus on clinical and community nutrition.
- Southern Oregon: Placements at lower acuity hospitals and tribal health programs in areas like Medford or Klamath Falls are perfect if you want to focus on rural health, tribal health, clinical nutrition or community nutrition.
If you’re placed in Bend or Southern Oregon, you’ll complete all rotations locally and attend simulation courses both in person and by videoconference.
Program mission, goals and objectives
Mission
Mission: The Dietetic Internship program prepares graduates to deliver evidence-based nutrition care and dietetics services to improve the health of Oregonians and individuals living throughout the United States. We foster the pursuit of excellence in dietetic interns through the provision of a wide array of experiences in professional leadership and practice to be carried forward into their careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
Goals and objectives
Goal: To prepare graduates for competitive entry-level positions in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 18 months (which is 150% of the program duration).
- At least 80% of interns complete MS/DI program requirements within 36 months (which is 150% of the program duration).
- 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%.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related field within 12 months of graduation.
- 75% of employers will rate our graduates as either superior or above average in comparison to employees of similar age, education, experience and responsibility.
Goal: To foster professional leadership and specialty practice skills in graduates.
Objectives:
Among graduates who respond to follow-up surveys within five years of graduation, the program aims for the following outcomes:
- 25% of graduates will report that they have assumed a leadership role in their place of employment within five years of graduation. Examples could include, but are not limited to, serving as a project lead, committee chair, task force member, spokesperson, trainer or manager.
- 50% of graduates will report involvement within a local, state, or national professional organization and/or volunteer organization within five years of graduation. Examples could include, but are not limited to, serving on a board of directors or conference planning committee, participating in nutrition advocacy events, serving as an item writer for the registration exam or volunteering at a non-profit such as a food bank or faith-based organization.
- 25% of graduates will report that they have obtained or are working towards obtaining one or more specialty certification(s) from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, or other certification from an accredited professional organization or a graduate degree from an accredited university within five years of graduation.
- 50% of graduates will report that they have become a preceptor for one or more dietetic internship programs within five years of graduation.
View the Dietetic Internship student learning outcomes.
Outcome data available upon request.
Sample class schedule
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| NUTN 501A: Academic Foundations | NUTN 501B: Transition to Clinical Nutrition | NUTN 501C: Transition to Professional Practice |
| NUTN 504: Supervised Practice Experience | NUTN 504: Supervised Practice Experience | NUTN 504: Supervised Practice Experience |
| IPE 501: Foundations in Patient Safety | IPE 501: Foundations in Patient Safety | IPE 501: Foundations in Patient Safety |
Class descriptions
| Course title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IPE 501: Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice | Introduces best practices for professionalism, ethics, roles and responsibilities, teamwork, communication and collaboration to improve the quality and safety of patient care. | 1 |
| NUTN 501A: Academic Foundations | This course provides a foundation for advanced academic engagement and inquiry and establishes academic skills. It helps students prepare for their journey as a graduate student and intern. You'll learn what to expect as a student, meet your classmates and faculty, and get an overview of your courses and requirements. | 1 |
| NUTN 501B: Transition to Clinical Nutrition | This course helps you shift from community to clinical nutrition. You’ll review core medical nutrition therapy concepts and practice the skills, behaviors and attitudes needed to succeed in a health care setting. | 1 |
| NUTN 501C: Transition to Professional Practice | This two-week course helps you prepare for life after graduation. You’ll discuss preparation for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD exam), learn how to maintain your credential and build professional communication skills. You’ll also practice writing resumes, preparing for interviews and setting career goals. | 1 |
| NUTN 504: Supervised Practice | Gain experience in community nutrition, food service management, clinical nutrition and advanced practice. You’ll apply your knowledge in real settings under the guidance of experienced professional. | 18 |
| Total required credits | 22 |
Dietetic Internship FAQs
What is a Dietetic Internship?
A Dietetic Internship is a supervised practice program that gives you hands-on experience in clinical, community, food service and specialty settings. Completing a Dietetic Internship makes you eligible to take the national exam to become a registered dietitian.
What is the pass rate for the RD exam?
83% of students who complete the Dietetic Internship at OHSU pass the RD exam on their first try.
What is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)?
A DPD is a set of undergraduate or graduate courses required before beginning a dietetic internship. Find a DPD in your area.
Can I apply to the Dietetic Internship program if I don’t have a master’s degree yet?
To apply to OHSU’s Dietetic Internship program, you must have a graduate degree or be enrolled in a graduate program. OHSU offers a combined M.S. program with a Dietetic Internship where you can earn your M.S. degree and DI certificate at the same time. Choose from a focus in Human Nutrition or Food Systems and Society.
Hear from students
"The personal touch, smaller cohort, bonding with classmates, and support from our faculty and preceptors allowed me to learn by doing, a principle that best aligns with my learning style.”
- 2025 DI internship graduate
Earn your M.S. while completing your DI
OHSU’s combined program lets you complete your master’s and Dietetic Internship at the same time. Choose between Human Nutrition or Food Systems and Society to align with your career path.
Accreditation
OHSU’s Dietetic Internship program meets the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) standards for quality, design and accessibility.