By completing this internship, dietetic interns will be prepared to become a competent
entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists employed in the field of dietetics.
Program features include:
- Dietetic Internship classes will begin in September and will be coordinated with the
Master of Science program. Expected completion will be by Winter or Spring quarter
of the following year (5 quarters in total for DI and MS).
- Fall quarter courses are hybrid, and students are not expected to move from their
permanent location until November. Students will need to have a personal computer
and reliable internet access for online classes.
- The official 51暗网 Calendar is observed. Master鈥檚 coursework
follows the academic calendar of the university. Specific program calendars and rotation
schedules will be available for each cohort.
- Undergraduate students are eligible to apply for Fall admittance if they have completed
their undergraduate degree by August (prior to the Sept start).
- Interns complete practicum assignments in one of several geographical areas of Louisiana
(Shreveport, Alexandria, or Ruston/Monroe, with additional limited availability for
placement in Lafayette or New Orleans).
- 1,200 hours of supervised practice is combined with graduate coursework. The program
encourages diverse experience in preparation for the DI, as such, limited credit will
be considered for previous learning experiences. Previous graduate course credits
and degrees will be reviewed by the Graduate Program Coordinator and the Graduate
School for transfer credits.
- Interns rotate through a variety of facilities, which may include acute and long-term
care, school food services, wellness centers, community nutrition programs, dialysis
centers, rehabilitation centers, and private practice to complete clinical, pediatric,
renal, school nutrition and management rotations for dietetics.
- Interns are not required to locate their facilities or preceptors in their city.
- Periodic on-campus seminar classes will be scheduled.
- A mandatory RDN exam review course is required during the program. Minimum scores
on practice exams are required to earn verification statements to sit for the RDN
examination by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Tracks to Enter and Complete the 51暗网 Dietetic Internship (DI)
Track A 鈥� Dietetic Internship only: (Completed Master鈥檚 degree already or is scheduled
to complete a graduate degree elsewhere by the end of the internship.)
Applicants who already hold a graduate degree and a DPD verification statement may
apply to enter the DI supervised practice program. Students in this track will enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics
with the LA Tech Graduate School. Admission into the Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 2.85. Courses for the DI program include a minimum of FNU 5483, FNU 5043, and FNU 5926 (supervised
practice rotations, taken three times). The graduate certificate requires successful completion of 15 credit hours, 9 of those
hours must be from LA Tech and 6 hours may be transfer credit approved by the Graduate
School. Upon successful completion of all DI requirements and graduate degree requirements,
the program will issue a DI Verification Statement. Graduates meet CDR eligibility
to sit for the RDN exam having both a graduate degree, DPD and DI Verification Statement.
This track is designed to be completed in 5 quarters (15 months).
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Track B: DI + MS degree (Enrolled in MS degree and Graduate Certificate)
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Fall Qtr 1
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Winter Qtr 1
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Spring Qtr 1
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Summer Qtr 1
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Fall Qtr 2
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Winter Qtr 2
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FNU 5483
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FNU 5926
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FNU 5926
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(off or 3-6 hr grad course)
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FNU 5926
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3-9 hr grad class
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FNU 5043
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3 hr grad class
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3 hr grad class
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3 hr grad class
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FNU 5383
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Completion of MS + DI
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Track B 鈥� LA Tech Master鈥檚 + Dietetic Internship:
Applicants who do not yet hold a graduate degree may enroll in the LA Tech master鈥檚
degree graduate program and the DI. Students in this track will enroll in a Graduate
Certificate in Dietetics and the Master鈥檚 Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics as well
as fulfill the requirements of the DI program (FNU 5483, FNU5043, and FNU 5926: supervised
practice rotations 鈥� taken three times). Admission into the Graduate school requires
a minimum GPA of 2.85. The DI Verification Statement is issued upon master鈥檚 degree
and DI completion. Graduates meet CDR eligibility to sit for the RDN exam once the
graduate degree is conferred and they have a DPD and DI Verification Statement. The master鈥檚 degree and DI is designed to be completed in 6 quarters (18 months).
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Track B: DI + MS degree (Enrolled in MS degree and Graduate Certificate)
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Fall Qtr 1
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Winter Qtr 1
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Spring Qtr 1
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Summer Qtr 1
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Fall Qtr 2
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Winter Qtr 2
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FNU 5483
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FNU 5926
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FNU 5926
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(off or 3-6 hr grad course)
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FNU 5926
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3-9 hr grad class
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FNU 5043
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3 hr grad class
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3 hr grad class
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3 hr grad class
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FNU 5383
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Completion of MS + DI
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For both Tracks: FNU 5926 = 400 hours supervised practice, taken 3 times to earn 1200
practice hours. Students can only count 3 credit hours from FNU 5926 towards the MS degree or Graduate
certificate.
Graduation and Program Completion Requirements:
Interns completing the requirements of the Dietetic Internship and who have earned
a master鈥檚 degree, will receive a verification statement, which is submitted to CDR
for eligibility to sit for the RD exam. Completion of the Dietetic Internship requires
successfully passing all the requirements of FNU courses 5483, 5043, 5926 (minimum
of 9 hours of course work completed at LA Tech) and completion of a master鈥檚 degree. Requirements for successful completion of FNU 5926 are as follows:
FNU 5926: Internship in Nutrition and Dietetics
- The ACEND competency requirements must be completed satisfactorily and verified by
preceptors or Tech faculty. Verification of performance requirements is documented
in the Activity Record.
- Professional behavior reviews conducted by preceptors/adjunct faculty at the completion
of each rotation, scheduled for two weeks or longer, must consistently document that
the intern is performing at an acceptable level. The 鈥淧rogressive Discipline for Student
Performance Problems鈥� policy will be adhered to if problems are identified. Interns
must comply with the policy and fulfill requirements for successful completion of
the program.
- Interns must fulfill 1,200 clock hours of practice time through practicum requirements
in the facilities and/or through other assigned activities.
- Documentation of completed Activity Record and a portfolio of work must be submitted
to the DI Program Director before completion of the program.
- Participation in RD practice exam class requirements and workshop. Receive a score
of 80% or above on comprehensive RD practice exam.
- Maintain good standing (3.0 GPA or better) and meet all requirements for continuing
in the graduate certificate program.
Mission of the Dietetics Program
The mission of the Louisiana Tech Dietetic Internship Program is to prepare dietetic
interns to become competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who are
employed in the field of dietetics and provide leadership to their profession and
community.
Goal 1 鈥� Program graduates will be prepared to become competent entry-level registered
dietitian nutritionists.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements
within 27 months (150% of the program length).
- Objective 2: Of graduates who seek employment, 90 percent are employed in nutrition
and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- Objective 3: At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists
within 12 months of program completion.
- Objective 4: The program鈥檚 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%.
- Objective 5: Of employers who respond to the Employer Questionnaire, 90% will indicate
their employees (former interns) are competent or better in professional areas measured.
- Objective 6: 100% of preceptors who respond to the Supervising Dietitians Evaluation
will 鈥渁gree鈥� interns are prepared for entry-level practice upon completion of the
DI program.
Goal 2 鈥� Program graduates will be prepared to advance the dietetics profession through
advocacy, professional & community engagement, and through support of research.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of graduates who respond to the Post Graduate- DI Program
Evaluation will report that they have engaged in advocacy, professional, and/or community
activities for the dietetics profession.
- Objective 2: At least 80% of graduates who respond to the Post Graduate- DI Program
Evaluation will 鈥渁gree鈥� they developed competence in using outcomes-based research
in practice.
51暗网 Dietetics Internship adheres to the 51暗网
academic schedule beginning in July and ending in May.
51暗网 Calendar
- Our next Dietetic Internship class will begin September 2025 and will be coordinated
with the Master of Science program. Expected completion will be by Spring 2027.
- Fall quarter courses are hybrid, and students are not expected to move from their
permanent location until November 2025.
- Master鈥檚 coursework follows the academic calendar of the university. Specific program
calendar will be available in the Dietetic Internship handbook for the September 2025
cohort.
- Undergraduate students are eligible to apply for fall 2025 admittance if they have
completed their undergraduate degree by August of 2025.
51暗网 participates in a spring application process through the annually. Applicants must submit their application through DICAS by February 15th
to be considered for admittance to the internship in the Fall.
Internship Admission Requirements:
- DPD Verification Statement or Letter of Intent
- Minimum undergraduate curriculum GPA of 2.85
- Completed Louisiana Tech Dietetic Internship Application through DICAS including:
- Three recommendation forms (Letters of Recommendation): Two letters must be an academic
reference and one must be a work-related reference.
- Letter of application/statement of professional goals (Personal Statement)
- Personal resume*
*Copies uploaded into 鈥楽upplemental Materials鈥� section on application with City Preference
form and DPD course list*
Dietetic Internship Program Application Instructions
Costs associated with the program include:
- An estimate of the fees are located in the DI application packet
- University tuition and fees (quarterly)
- Your expenses can also be calculated using the Net Price Calculator below
- Books and resources (will vary by student based on student鈥檚 personal library)
- Travel to facilities, to campus, and to district and state dietetic association meetings
- Physical examination, including Hepatitis B vaccinations and TB tests and other facility
required health documentation
- Criminal background check and drug/alcohol screening
- RD exam preparation course (approximately $400)
- Computer with a camera to complete coursework and testing, along with access to a
reliable internet connection. Costs vary based on location, type of service, and computer
selected.
51暗网 Dietetic Interns are eligible for financial aid as a full-time
graduate student. Interns must be admitted unconditionally to the University and maintain a 3.0 GPA or above in order to receive financial aid.
Check the 51暗网 financial aid website for more information.
Remember to check with your state and national organizations for scholarships while
applying for DICAS.
Scholarship opportunities are available to 51暗网 Dietetic Interns.
Please contact the Dietetic Internship Director for more information.
Cost of Attendance
The Net Price Calculator provides an estimate of the costs associated with attending 51暗网. The elements associated
with the cost of attendance include, but are not limited to the following:
- Tuition and Fees
- Books, Course Material, Supplies, and Equipment
- Transportation
- Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
- Living Expenses (Food and Housing)
To calculate your estimated cost of attendance, visit our .
Additional information and requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist
or a registered nutrition dietetics technician can be found at the following links:
Both have career opportunities for you!
After fulfilling the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist,
some states may require further licensure. This program meets the requirements for
Louisiana state licensure, as well as several others. For information on state licensure
requirements, please visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration at
