Dietetic Internship
The 41-week UMES Dietetic Internship Program aims to prepare competent entry level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The health profession program has a 92% first-time pass rate over the past eight years. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Open House
UMES Dietetic Internship Open House will be held January 10, 2025, at 5 p.m. Please RSVP to Michael Kirtsos, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, at mkirtsos@umes.edu or call 443-783-6878.
Want to see what the dietetic internship is like, check out what our dietetic interns are doing on our UMES blog and Instagram
Mission, Goals and Measurable Outcome
The program’s mission is to provide a variety of experiential learning and professional development opportunities to prepare program graduates as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for dietetics practice in diverse communities.
The goals and measurable outcomes for this supervised practice program are noted as follows:
Goal One
The UMES Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates who are competent for entry-level practice in dietetics.
Outcome Measures:
- 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%.
- A minimum of 75% of employers will rank graduates as “good” or “satisfactory” or higher regarding the graduate’s nutrition knowledge and preparation for entry-level practice.
- At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 15 months (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 90 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- A minimum of 60% of graduates responding to a survey will indicate the variety of learning and professional development opportunities as a strength of the internship program.
Goal Two
The UMES Dietetic Internship graduates will actively contribute to the field of dietetics through leadership or community service and lifelong learning.
Outcome Measures:
- A minimum of 20% of graduates responding to a survey will actively participate in a professional organization within one year of program completion. Active participation is defined as holding a leadership position in an organization, being a member of a DPG or other professional organization (ASPEN), presenting at a professional conference/workshop, being a preceptor or performing community service in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- A minimum of 50% of graduates responding to a survey will indicate they have attended at least one program sponsored by a professional dietetic and/or health-related association within one year of program completion.
Goal Three
The UMES Dietetic Internship Program will prepare competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who have a strong diabetes knowledge base.
Outcome Measures:
- 20% of graduates responding to a survey will indicate they are currently working toward obtaining their Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification in the next three years.
- 80% of graduates responding to a survey will indicate they felt the internship provided them with a good background in diabetes.
Admission Requirements
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). 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 Dietetic Internship program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states.
However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license.
For more information about state licensure and certification, click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN, click here.
Additional Application Requirements
- Successful completion of a minimum of a master’s degree from a United States regionally accredited college or university as evidenced by an official transcript. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous college or university electronically or in a signed, sealed envelope to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Dietetic Internship Director prior to the internship start date. The degree must be conferred prior to the start date of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Dietetic Internship.
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics as evidenced by an original Verification Statement signed by the Program Director. The DPD Verification Statement must be obtained and received by the Internship Director prior to the start of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Dietetic Internship.
- Submission of a completed DICAS application and application fee for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
- Able to successfully pass a background check, drug screen, and provide proof of required immunizations, health insurance, car insurance, and current CPR certification.
Application Procedure
To be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant has completed Didactic Program in Dietetics academic requirements.
- Applicant must have received either an “intent to Complete” form or a “Verification Statement” from their Didactic Program in Dietetics.
- Applicant (has or will have) completed a M.S. or M.A. degree prior to beginning the internship program.
- Applicant has earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 out of 4.0.
- Applicant has had experience (paid or unpaid) in a food service, community and/or clinical dietetic setting.
- UMES will participate in DICAS- the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System. The application must be submitted through the ACEND – Dietetic Internship Central Application System
The online DICAS application must be completed by January 15. Applications should include official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, resume, personal statement, and 3 letters of recommendations, with 2 recommendations from professors in your major. Personal statements should include your short- and long-term goals, demonstrate your interest and / or passion for the dietetics profession, and highlight your specific interest in the UMES dietetic internship.
The application fee of $50 to UMES must be postmarked by January, 10, 2025, and submitted to: Dietetic Internship Director, 1 College Backbone Road, University of
Maryland Eastern Shore, 2107 Richard A. Henson Center, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
Students will be notified of their acceptance into the UMES dietetic internship program via email by March 1, 2025, and have until March 15, 2025, to confirm their appointment.
Pre Select Option
UMES graduate seniors (students) are eligible to participate in the pre-selection process. A maximum of six slots may be available after the selection committee evaluation.
A completed application, 3 letters of recommendation and $50 application fee must be submitted to the director by January 10, 2025. If chosen as a possible candidate, students will be contacted for a personal interview. A decision about placement will be determined by January 27, 2025. Students will be evaluated regarding volunteer experience, clinical experience, food service experience, references, grades and application instructions. Inconsistencies and omissions in the application will not be considered.
Dietetic Internship Program
Program Schedule
The program length is 41 weeks, commencing on September 2, 2025, and concluding June 18, 2026. Didactic and supervise practice experiences include approximately:
Dietetic Internship Sample 2019-2020 Schedule
The schedule is typically Monday-Friday with some occasional weekend or evening activities.
- Diabetes — 160 hours
- Long-Term Care or Developmental Disability — 120 hours
- Food Service Management — 176 hours
- Renal — 80 hours
- Research — 52 hours
- Clinical Acute and/or Clinical Rehab — 500 hours
- WIC — 40 hours
- School Nutrition — 160 hours
- Total supervised practice hours (minimum) — 1288 hours
- Didactic and Professional Meetings — 200 hours
Affiliation Sites
Program experiences are designed in categories of dietetic subspecialties to clinical nutrition, food service management and community nutrition. Some of the program partners include:
| Atlantic General Hospital & Diabetes Program | Wicomico School District |
| TidalHealth Nanticoke Memorial Hospital & Diabetes Program | Encompass Health Rehab Hospital |
| Holly Center | Wicomico Nursing Home |
| TidalHealth Peninsula Regional medical center | TidalHealth Bariatric Program |
| Seaford Schools Food and Nutrition Services | Deer’s Head Hospital Center & Dialysis Center |
| Wicomico County Health Department – WIC Program | Fresenius Dialysis Center |
| Salisbury Rehabilitation and Nursing Center | TidalHealth Peninsula Regional medical center Nutrition and Diabetes Education |
| Fixer Upper Fitness | Salisbury University |
| Dorchester School District | Worcester County Health Department |
| Milford School District | Eastern Shore Hospital |
| Caroline County School District | Cape Henlopen School District |
Transportation
This program requires all interns to have a vehicle as they will be commuting to sites by vehicle throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Public transportation is not available for these sites.
Completion Requirements
UMES graduate students must complete all of the degree requirements for a graduate degree in Human Ecology with a concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Interns must complete a minimum of 1,288 supervised practice hours as noted on their time sheet and 100% of all competencies with a level of competent (3) or higher on the performance matrix, a minimum score of 75% on the final examination and an 80% on each individual assignment including class quizzes, class assignments, journal presentations and case studies to be considered for graduation from the dietetic internship program and receive a verification statement.
Interns register for two graduate credits during the internship one for each semester.
Estimated costs
| Dietetic Internship Only Option Fees and Other Costs | Maryland Residents | Non- Maryland Resident |
| Application Fee (Non-Refundable) | $ 50 | $ 50 |
| Tuition: 2 Credits | 706 | 1,308 |
| Auxiliary Operations and Facility Fee per credit hour | 82 | 82 |
| Technology Fee per credit hour | 10 | 10 |
| Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership | 58 | 58 |
| Program Fee (Non-Refundable) | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| CPR Certification (estimate) | 90 | 90 |
| Housing – off campus estimate * | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Meals | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Books and Other Supplies | 600 | 600 |
| Transportation/Parking | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Misc. (i.e., Background Check, Drug Screen, etc.) and membership | 500 | 500 |
| Total | 22,596 | 23,145 |
Graduate Program / Dietetic Internship Tuition, Fees and Other Costs
| Graduate Tuition, Fees and Other Costs | Maryland Residents | Non-Maryland Residents |
| Application Fee (Non-Refundable) | $ 50 | $ 50 |
| Tuition per credit hour | 353 ($10,590) | 654 ($19,620) |
| Auxiliary Operations and Facility Fee per credit hour | 82 | 82 |
| Technology Fee per credit hour | 10 | 10 |
| Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership | 58 | 58 |
| Program Fee (Non-Refundable) | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| CPR Certification (estimate) | 90 | 90 |
| Housing – off campus estimate * | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Meals | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Books and Other Supplies | 600 | 600 |
| Transportation/Parking | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Misc. (i.e., Background Check, Drug Screen, etc.) and membership | 500 | 500 |
| Total | 35,519 | 41,510 |
*The internship program fee is due by August 15, 2025.
Financial Aid
University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduate students/dietetic interns enrolled in the MS/DI program are considered full-time students/interns for financial aid purposes. Dietetic interns are not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid for the program free but are eligible for Title IV financial aid for the master’s degree program.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduate students/dietetic interns are eligible to apply for student loans and to apply for loan deferment. For more information, please see The Office of Student Financial Aid.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarships through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and their state/local dietetic associations (Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Scholarships)
Technology Requirements
Students selected for and enrolled in the dietetic internship will complete required internship courses in-person and/or online.
At a minimum, a desktop or laptop computer, reliable Internet access, and a webcam and mic for coursework are needed. Students will use Canvas, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Learning Management System, to complete online quizzes.
Students must be proficient in the use of computers, the Internet, browsers, Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other common applications.
Canvas support and the University’s IT service desk are also available to provide technology assistance.
Accreditation Status
The Dietetic Internship Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program with a Diabetes Education and Counseling concentration designed to bridge the gap between didactic education and entry-level dietetic practice.
This program is approved for six full-time interns, which includes a preselect option for qualified undergraduate UMES students, and is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), which is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics is located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. Contact the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics at:
800-877-1600, ext. 5400
312-899-0040
Fax: 312-899-4817
Email: acend@eatright.org
Website: http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/
**Dietitians and nutritionists are required to be licensed to practice in the state of Maryland. Please refer to the Maryland State Board of Dietetic Practice website for specific information regarding this requirement.** http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov/dietetic/SitePages/Home.aspx
