Master of Science/ Dietetic Internship and Dietetic Internship Only Option

The East Carolina University Dietetic Internship is based out of Greenville, North Carolina, with interns placed in rotations sites East of I-95. We have a wide variety of hospital sizes, from 14 beds to 900 beds, access to the university sports and dining RDNs, rotations in the Family Medicine Clinics, school rotations and many others. The dietetic internship is 1000 hours, divided into 12 weeks clinical, 6 weeks food service, 6 weeks community, and a 2 week virtual orientation.

The dietetic internship in the Department of Nutrition Science is an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. The ECU Dietetic Internship Program was accredited in July 1998 and reaccreditation with site visits occurred in February 2003, February 2013, and February 2022. The next review cycle is scheduled for 2028. ACEND can be contacted by mail at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; by phone at 800/877-1600, ext. 5400. More information can be found on the ACEND website. Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Dietetic Internship Program at East Carolina University is to provide high quality learning opportunities through comprehensive supervised-practice experiences, with an emphasis on rural health. The program will prepare graduates as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who can apply evidenced-based nutrition practice to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Goals and Outcome Measures

Goal 1: Graduates are successful entry level registered dietitian nutritionists in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

  • At least 80% of program interns complete program 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.
  • 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%.
  • All employers (100%) who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment report “agree” or “strongly agree” regarding the graduate’s knowledge and skill preparation for entry-level practice.
  • At least 80% of program graduate respondents feel the program prepared them for entry-level practice.

Goal 2: The program will produce graduates who demonstrate a commitment to participating in a professional organization.

  • At least 50% of graduate respondents actively participate in a professional organization within one year of program completion by holding a leadership position or presenting at a professional meeting.

Dietetic Internship Completion Requirements and Time Allowed

A dietetic intern will successfully complete the Dietetic Internship when he or she has obtained:

  • Receives an average of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1-5) on 80% on all overall competency evaluations.
  • Satisfactory completion of all assignments and case studies for preceptors/Program Director.
  • Signed documentation of all required hours by site preceptors.
  • Satisfactory resolution of any disciplinary actions.
  • Grade average of “B” or higher in all rotations/graduate classes including NUTR 6600, 6031, 6032, 6033, 6102.

I-Incomplete: The grade of I is given for a deficiency in the quantity or quality of work completed in a course. “I” grades must be resolved within 1 calendar year or a grade of “F” will automatically be assigned by ECU Registrar Office. Students cannot graduate with an incomplete on their record.

In August is a 1-2 week online mandatory orientation for the dietetic internship. Interns begin rotation after Labor Day and finish by May 1 of the following year.

Example of the first year of the MS-DI (online coursework): 18 credit hours

Fall Semester

  • NUTR 6105 – Human Nutrition in Physiology and Metabolism, 3 credit hours
  • NUTR 6200 – Research Methods in Nutrition, 3 credit hours
  • NUTR 6400 – Food and Behavior, 3 credit hours (elective credit, rotating courses every two yrs)

Spring Semester

  • NUTR 6900 – Review of the Literature, 2 credit hours
  • NUTR 6950 – Seminar in Nutrition, 1 credit hours
  • NUTR 6500 – Pediatric Nutrition, 3 credit hours (elective credit, rotating courses every two yrs)
  • BIOS 7021 – Biostatistics, 3 credit hours

Example of second year MS-DI and DI/Verification Statement Only Option: 15 credit hours

Fall Semester

  • NUTR 6102 Current Issues in Clinical Nutrition – 2 semester hours
  • NUTR 6031 Clinical/Medical Nutrition Therapy Rotation – 12 weeks, 3 semester hours
  • NUTR 6032 Community Nutrition Rotation – 6 weeks, 3 semester hours

Spring Semester

  • NUTR 6033 Food Systems, Business and Management Rotation – 6 weeks, 3 semester hours
  • NUTR 6600 Spring evening class, 3 semester hours
  • NUTR 6102 Current Issues in Clinical Nutrition – 1 semester hour

Verification Statement Requirements to sit for the CDR RDN Exam

The Program Director provides Verification of program completion when the intern:

  • Completes all rotations and assignments
  • Receives a grade for completion of the internship rotations/graduate courses (NUTR 6600, 6031, 6032, 6033 and 6102) as B or higher.
  • Has a GPA in rotations of 3.0 or higher
  • Has completed a graduate degree or is enrolled in the ECU MS-DI.

Please feel free to contact Ms. Tara Wind, Dietetic Internship Director at 252-744-1006 or windt19@ecu.edu.