Dietetic Internship 

About the Internship

Thank you for your interest in the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship. We are excited to offer a unique and innovative education-based program, designed to meet the interests of a group of dynamic, inspiring individuals seeking to become Registered Dietitians. Interns accepted into our dietetic internship will complete their supervised practice requirements in and surrounding beautiful Cape Cod & the Islands in Massachusetts.

The Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship will provide the supervised practice hours necessary to become a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist for those that have completed the necessary didactic course requirements, and have completed at least a master’s degree or have completed a DPD/MS program. We offer rotation experiences in the areas of clinical nutrition, food service, community nutrition, and a focused concentration in Dietetics in Agriculture. Interns will gain extensive knowledge and experience in all rotation sites and understand the importance of incorporating sustainable food systems and agriculture into dietetics practice.

Following acceptance into the program, interns are required to attend a week of Orientation the first week of January at our office in Orleans, MA. Supervised rotations will begin the Monday following internship orientation. 

The Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship has been granted Full Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

ACEND Contact Information:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation and Education Programs Team
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (312) 899- 0040 ext. 5400
Fax: 312-899-4817
E-mail: education@eatright.org
Website: http://www.eatright.org/ACEND

Program Mission

The mission of the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship is to prepare highly qualified entry level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists for careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics. We will prepare our interns to become dietitians capable of integrating agricultural and sustainable food systems into dietetic practice in clinical, food service, and community settings. As dietitians our interns will be capable of providing innovative, research-based interventions and programs which will improve the meal patterns and food choices of various populations. Additionally, it is our mission to provide our interns with a breadth of knowledge, hands-on experience and mentoring that will enable them, as dietitians, to pursue leadership roles that seek to improve the health of individuals, families, communities and the sustainability of food systems.

Program Goals & Objectives

Program Goals

  • Goal 1: To prepare highly competent and well-rounded, entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with the knowledge and skills base necessary for a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

  • Goal 2: To prepare entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to pursue and participate in continuous learning activities, professional development opportunities and leadership roles within the emerging trends in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Program Objectives

Program Goal #1 Objectives:

  • At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 13.5 months (150% of the program length).

  • 80% of program graduates will rate themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with their training and preparation for their career.

  • Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of program completion.

  • 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%.

  • Each year, employers who hire our program graduates will be surveyed. Of those surveyed, at least 80% of graduates will be found to possess satisfactory to above satisfactory entry level knowledge and professional skills.

Program Goal #2 Objectives:

  • Over a five-year period, 50% of program graduates will be a member of their local dietetic association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and/or Dietetic Practice Group(s).

  • Over a five-year period, 50% of program graduates will have acquired a professional credential beyond the RD/RDN, and/or be enrolled in, or pursuing enrollment in further education.

  • Over a five-year period, 50% of program graduates will promote, advocate for and/or integrate agriculture and/or sustainable food systems into their professional practice as a Registered Dietitian.

Note: Program Outcome data is available upon request.

Program Overview

The Delicious Living Nutrition dietetic internship is a 9 month, full-time, non-degree program focused on Nutrition in Agriculture. This internship program has been granted Full Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The address and telephone number of ACEND is 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. Telephone number: 312-899-0040.

A maximum of 6 dietetic interns are selected annually during the Spring Match cycle. The program begins in January and ends in September, and provides 1184 hours of supervised practice which allows the dietetic intern to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to obtain a Certificate of Completion (Verification Statement) and sit for the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

  • 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). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.

  • Additional information on the educational and professional requirements to become a Registered Dietitian can be found on Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. 

  • Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists are required to be licensed/certified in some states. State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from registration or certification by the Commission of Dietetic Registration. The licensure requirements vary from state to state. Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists practicing in and providing services to individuals in the state of Massachusetts are required to uphold licensure with the state’s Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists.

Boston University Masters of Science Pre-Select Partnership

For individuals who still need to complete a Masters of Science program we are excited to share that we are participating in a pre-select partnership with the Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Masters of Science Program. This partnership provides applicants the opportunity to apply for a Masters of Science at Boston University and pre-select to be considered for the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship program. Students enrolled in this partnership program will first complete their MS in Nutrition at Boston University (year 1), followed by the Dietetic Internship at Delicious Living Nutrition (year 2).

Applications for this Pre-Select Partnership are due by December 1, 2022. Selected applicants will start the MS program in January 2024 and the DI program in January 2025. For more information on this MS/DI Partnership and how to apply please visit: https://www.bu.edu/sargent/bu-ms-delicious-living-nutrition-di-partnership/

Dietetic Internship Curriculum

Each intern will complete their supervised practice hours at the following rotation sites:

Clinical Rotation sites: Inpatient MNT (6 weeks), Outpatient MNT (3 weeks)

Foodservice Rotation sites: Nauset Public Schools (3 weeks), Riverview School (2 weeks), Hospital Foodservice (3 weeks)

Community Rotation sites: YMCA of Cape Cod (2 weeks), Barnstable County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education and Food Safety (3 weeks), Outer Cape WIC (3 weeks)

Agriculture in Dietetics Rotation sites: Truro Farmer’s Market/Sustainable CAPE, Out There Organics, Bay End Farm, Chatham Bars Inn Farm, Sketchy Greenhouse, Cape Abilities Farm (8 weeks)

Class Days: Class Days will occur every Monday during Clinical, Food Service, and Community rotations. Each week interns will meet at the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship office or a location with other New England area dietetic interns. Class Days will consist of group projects, workshops, speaker series, etc. for the entirety of the day. Class Day topics include: fermenting foods, gut health, prenatal health/lactation, seed to bread with heritage grains, bean to bar chocolate making, MAND “Day on the Hill” public policy event, SEMAP Annual Agriculture & Food Conference, Body Positive and much more!

RD Exam Preparation: Interns will be provided access to several RD exam study tools from All Access Dietetics throughout their internship program. During the final rotation of the program all Interns are required to attend weekly study group sessions. At the completion of the internship program each intern is required to take the RD practice exam and receive at least an 80% pass rate.

Program Completion Requirements

The internship program builds on the foundation of knowledge gained during didactic preparation, and provides practitioner competencies for entry level dietetics practice. In order to graduate from this Dietetic Internship and advance to sit for the Registration Examination, all interns must meet the following program requirements within the allotted time frame:

  • Comply with all the Policies and Procedures of the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship. 

  • Act professionally in accordance with the code of ethics for the profession of dietetics.

  • Complete the 1184 supervised practice hours set forth by the internship program. Currently ACEND requires a minimum of 1000 hours of which 600 must be in the professional work-setting. Interns are responsible for making-up for lost time due to excessive sick days or approved leave of absence. 

  • Successfully complete all required projects and assignments. Demonstrate achievement of competence (score of 3 or above) in all competencies based upon the most current Internship Program (IP) Standards per ACEND as determined by the ratings on each Performance Evaluation Form.

  • Attend all Class Days unless extenuating circumstances (as determined by the Internship Director of the Dietetic Internship) preclude attendance.

  • Submission of all evaluation forms, including: Intern Performance Evaluation Form for each rotation, Intern Rotation Hours + Summary Log, Self-Assessment + Goal Development Form, Preceptor/Rotation Site Evaluation Form, and Internship Program Exit Survey. 

  • Get an 80% pass rate on the RD practice exam.

Advancement to Registration Exam

Upon completion of all program requirements interns will be issued a signed Verification Statement from the Program Director. Acquisition of the DI Verification Statement provides the intern with the ability to schedule the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist.

Note: If an intern is having difficulty achieving any of the program requirements, a remedial course of action will be implemented to support the intern in an effort to have them successfully complete the program requirements. The maximum amount of time allotted to complete the program requirements is 13.5 months (150% of the standard program length of 9 months).

Financial Information

Internship Associated Costs

Tuition fee: $15,000 per intern. Tuition must be paid in full via check or money order 90 days after being accepted into the internship program. Individual payment plans are available upon request after acceptance into the internship program.

Housing: It is the responsibility of the intern to acquire housing within the area of the dietetic internship for the duration of the internship program. We do have housing available in a shared intern house in Cummaquid, MA. On average a rental in/near the Orleans, MA area ranges from $800-$1,200/month. https://capecod.craigslist.org/d/apartments-housing-for-rent/search/apa.

Transportation: The intern will need to acquire their own form of transportation to get to and from rotation sites and class days as public transportation is limited in all areas of Cape Cod & the Islands.

Health Insurance: It is a requirement in the state of Massachusetts to have personal health insurance coverage. If you do not have health insurance or if you are not covered by another carriers insurance plan please apply for the state’s health plan via MassHealth Connector. Plans range in price from $50-$170/month. https://www.mahealthconnector.org

Liability Insurance: It is the responsibility of each intern to purchase Individual Malpractice Liability insurance (student plan) prior to the internship program’s orientation. Plans range in price from $50-$100 annually. http://www.proliability.com/professional-liability-insurance/dietetic-practitioners. Further instructions will be emailed upon acceptance into the dietetic internship program.

Immunization Records: All interns must submit up-to-date immunization records prior to orientation. Total cost for immunization record processing is a one-time fee of $29.50. Further instructions will be emailed upon acceptance into the dietetic internship program.

Drug Testing: All interns are required to complete a 10-panel expanded opiate urine test prior to orientation. Total cost for drug test processing is a one-time fee of $29.50. Further instructions will be emailed upon acceptance into the dietetic internship program.

Fingerprinting: All interns must schedule fingerprinting for a Federal Background Check. Total cost of fingerprinting is a one-time fee of $35. Further instructions will be emailed upon acceptance into the dietetic internship program.

ServSafe Manager Certification: It is the responsibility of the intern to acquire ServSafe Manager Certification prior to orientation for the dietetic internship program. Certification lasts for a 5 year period from date of certification. Certification courses are available through Instructor-Led, Self-Study and Online options. Course options range in price from $99 - $179. https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Manager

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership: It is the responsibility of the intern to acquire and pay for active student membership. The annual fee $58/year. To sign up for student membership and for additional information on AND Membership please visit their website.

Loan Deferment & Financial Assistance

We are able to provide documentation of economic hardship to defer student loans. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Scholarship links for financial assistance can be found at: http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/membership/student-member-center/scholarships-and-financial-aid.

How To Apply

Application Requirements

  • To apply to the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship program applicants must complete at least a master's degree and the ACEND-accredited coursework requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics).

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Verification Statement: Students who have or will be completing a DPD program accredited by ACEND and will be receiving a DPD verification statement are eligible to participate in this program. A Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Statement for the Didactic Program in Dietetics completed and signed by your Didactic Program Director. It will be submitted online electronically directly from your DPD Director. See DICAS for more information. Original Verification Statement will be required prior to beginning the program.

  • Resume/CV: A current resume is required.

  • Letters of Recommendation: A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required with your application. At least one (1) letter of recommendation must be completed by an individual who is who are familiar with your academic ability (i.e. professor) and at least one (1) letter must be completed by an individual who is familiar with your professional or volunteer work experience (i.e. employer or manager). Letters that emphasize academic experience, employment, volunteer work, and people skills are valued. Strictly personal letters (i.e., family members, friends, clergy, etc.) are not considered. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the DICAS portal.

  • Personal Statement: A personal statement must be submitted through the DICAS portal. We request that applicants address the following questions in their personal statement using 1000 words or less: 1) Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession? What are your long-term goals within this profession? 2) Describe any experiences that have helped to prepare you for a career in dietetics? 3) Describe your personal and professional strengths and areas needing improvement. 4) Why are you applying to the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship and why you think you should be selected for this program?

Application Process

  • DICAS Application: Our program uses the online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (aka DICAS) for our internship application process: http://portal.dicas.org. Applicants must submit the requirements for the DICAS application in order to be considered for the DLNDI program. The requirements for the application are summarized here: DICAS application requirements. There is a fee to use DICAS. The complete online application packet must be submitted by the application deadline. For questions please email: DICASinfo@DICAS.org.

  • D&D Digital Computer Matching: Applicants must also register for Computer Matching at www.dnddigital.com, D&D Digital Systems, 3100 South Riverside Drive, Ames, IA 50010, (515) 292-0490, dnd@sigler.com, and register his/her/their internship priority choices by the same deadline.

  • Application Fees:

    • DICAS application fee for the first designation is $50 and $25 for each additional application.

    • D&D Digital registration fee is $65.

    • A non-refundable $30 application processing fee is required by Delicious Living Nutrition. This payment must be made via check or money order and postmarked by the application deadline. Please mail this fee to: Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship, Route 6A, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653.

      NOTE: At this time this program does not have a policy in place to grant credit for supervised practice hours or direct assessment of interns’ prior learning education, experience or competence.

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • February 15, 2023 (11:59pm CST): 

    • Deadline for Registering for Computer Match and Entering Internship Preferences in D&D Digital computer matching deadline.

    • Deadline for completing DICAS application.

    • Postmark deadline for Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship application processing fee.

  • April 2, 2023 Notification Day: Personal match results will be available online from D&D Digital systems at 6:00pm EST.

  • April 3, 2023 Appointment Day: Applicants must email or call our Internship Director: Dianna Carpentieri at dianna@deliciouslivingnutrition.com or (774) 383-4818 to confirm acceptance of the match on or before 6:00pm EST.

Intern Admission Preferences

  • We prefer a minimum overall undergraduate or graduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, and an average grade of B or higher in all DPD Professional courses. However, we will not disqualify an applicant on GPA exclusively and welcome explanation of a GPA below 3.0 within your DICAS personal statement.

  • We prefer applicants with evidence of recent education, dietetics related coursework and/or receipt of DPD Verification Statement within five years of application to the program.

  • Given that our dietetic internship program concentration is Dietetics in Agriculture we prefer interns that are passionate about and/or have experience in food sustainability, agriculture and/or community outreach/education.

  • Please note that we do conduct (virtual) interviews should we need additional information from an applicant being considered for the internship program. If an applicant is selected for an interview we will contact the applicant directly via the email address provided in their DICAS application.

Additional Questions or Concerns

Do you have additional questions regarding the Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship program? If so please contact our Dietetic Internship Director: Dianna Carpentieri via email: dianna@deliciouslivingnutrition.com.