Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Throughout academic career:

  • Maintain a good GPA (3.0 or better,) especially in science, math and writing courses.
  • Become involved in extracurricular activities.
  • Seek work and volunteer experiences related to the field.
  • Collect positive feedback and evaluations from faculty.
  • Develop a mentoring relationship with your advisor or another faculty member.
  • Determine where you want to apply for a program and identify their admission criteria.

Fall semester of final year:

  • Review Directory of Accredited Dietetics Programs: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/accredited-programs-directory
  • Contact program directors by mail, e-mail, or on home pages to let them know of your interest.
  • RSVP for open houses. NDEP publishes Open House listings: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students
  • Review each program’s application requirements carefully as they may differ slightly from site to site.
  • October: Request faculty and other references; have them in hand by December 1st. Provide a resume, complete instructions, and all needed forms or materials. Plan ahead and be respectful of their time.
  • November: Complete the Intent to Complete Information Form and immediately return it to the DPD (Dietetics Program Director) for signature. The Intent to Complete form is a required component unless the applicant has met DPD requirements and has a valid Verification Statement. An original, blue-ink signature is needed from that DPD Program Director.
  • December: Begin DICAS application and familiarize yourself with the matching timelines and calendar dates: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students

Spring semester of final year:

  • January: By the end of January, ECU MS pre-select applicants will be notified if they matched to the ECU DI.
  • February: Completed application packets must be submitted to DICAS by the mid-February date indicated on the website. In order to be matched, you must also sign up for D&D Digital computer matching service. You can apply to as many programs as you wish, but you will only be matched with one program. Some programs may require a personal or telephone interview.
  • March: Applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program.

After successful completion of a supervised practice program:

  • You will be given another set of Verification Statements and you may apply to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
  • When you successfully pass the exam you are a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Congratulations and best wishes.

For more information about becoming a Registered Dietitian you can visit the Academy’s website.