Clinical Nutrition MS Dietetic Internship

1. Academics
   Earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
2. Internship and Graduate Degree-That's us!
   Complete a supervised internship program accredited by ACEND.
   
3. Registration Examination 
   Pass the entry-level registration (credentialing) examination administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
4. Apply for State licensure (if applicable)*
   

For more information on the requirements and process to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, including education, supervised practice and passage of the credentialing examination, review the registration eligibility requirements for dietitians.

* State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from the registration or credentialing RDNs obtained from the CDR. To be licensed as a dietitian nutritionist, all states require documentation of education or equivalent in addition to non-academic requirements such as supervised practice and satisfactory scores on credentialing exams. Licensure status by state can be found here and is updated by ACEND as available.

The University at Buffalo Dietetic Internship with MS in Clinical Nutrition prepares graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for service and practice in global and local communities through educational excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, use of the research process and critical thinking skills to improve the health of populations, communities and individuals.

• Clinical Nutrition in acute care, long term care and rehab
• Institutional Foodservice in clinical, education and community
• Outpatient nutrition counseling and group education
• Research in University settings
• Nutrition and community wellness organizations
• Culinary medicine and inter-professional education micro-credential eligibility

A small number of Supervised Practice slots are available to Rochester, NY based applicants. Interns are responsible for commuting to the UB campus for in-person graduate classes and events each semester. Please inquire with the Program Director if interested.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum of a Masters Degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Credit for previous, recent graduate coursework will be considered on an individual basis.

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework.

1. At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 26 months (150% of the program length)
2. 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
3. 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%.
4. Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
5. 90% of employers who respond to the Employer Survey rate the graduate as a 4 (good) on a scale of 1-5 on entry-level competency for practice.
6. 90% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey rate themselves as a 4 (good) on a scale of 1-5 on their ability to serve the nutrition needs of populations, communities and individuals.

1. 80% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey routinely use current research findings in professional practice.
2. 80% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey will be a member of a professional organization.
3. 25% of graduates who respond to the Five Year Graduate Survey will demonstrate leadership in the field as demonstrated by additional professional certifications, supervisory employment positions, positions in professional organizations, serving as a preceptor, presentation to professional groups, publishing original research/articles or pursuing advanced education (ie-PhD).

Since 2014, 96% of program graduates have passed the RDN exam within 12 months of first attempt.

Detailed outcome data is available upon request. Email Nicole Klem, MS RDN at NLKLEM@buffalo.edu.