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Dietetic Internship

Baylor University Medical Center's Dietetic Internship

The Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The program offers a nine-month dietetic internship (DI) and a 21-month Masters of Clinical Nutrition and dietetic internship (MCN/DI).

The program’s mission is to provide an atmosphere in which the dietetic intern can apply and augment the knowledge base acquired from the academic setting. The program strives to prepare qualified registered dietitian nutritionists for entry-level practice by imparting to each student the educational standards established by ACEND.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a virtual informational session or schedule an on-campus tour. These sessions as well as individual time with the program director may be scheduled on the internship bookings calendar.

Programs

Non-Degree Option: DI

The DI-only option is a 9-month program that provides 1,000 hours of supervised practice for individuals who have earned a graduate degree or are enrolled in a graduate degree program that will be completed within one year of completing the internship. Graduates must meet all degree requirements as set forth by the university in which they are enrolled and complete all dietetic internship program requirements to be eligible to receive a verification statement. Graduate degree program must meet the Graduate Degree Criteria Checklist to ensure the degree plan will support completion of supervised practice. The DI option will match up to 12 individuals (number of available positions will be contingent on the enrollment size of the MCN/DI for a maximum of 12 individuals in supervised practice per year).

Interns will enter supervised practice in August of the cohort in which they are matched. Interns entering the program while enrolled in graduate school may opt to begin supervised practice in year two and complete graduate school in year one to ensure a graduate degree is completed within one year of completing the program.

Interns may apply in the Spring 2025 match for the following supervised practice cohorts:

  • 8/11/2025-5/20/2026
  • 8/10/2026-5/19/2027 (recommended for interns who will have earned less than 12 hours of graduate credit by May 2025)

Degree Granting Option: MCN/DI

The MCN/DI is a 21-month program and includes graduate studies through Texas A&M University (on College Station campus) and 1,000 hours of supervised practice (at Baylor University Medical Center and the surrounding Dallas-Ft. Worth area) with an emphasis on clinical nutrition for 12 individuals annually. Graduates of the program must complete all coursework and project requirements of the Masters of Clinical Nutrition and supervised practice to be eligible to receive a verification statement to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. A pre-select option is available for graduates of Texas A&M’s DPD program to the MCN/DI.

Interns enrolled in the MCN/DI will follow the academic calendar set forth by Texas A&M for year one of graduate school. Interns will begin supervised practice in August of year two of the program and will follow the supervised practice calendar.

Participation in a live informational virtual session and/or an on-site tour is strongly encouraged to learn more about our programs and can be scheduled on the program bookings website.

Credentialing and Licensure

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 AM Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at Baylor University Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements, click here. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN, click here.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure. For information on licensure in Texas, click here.

For additional information about educational pathways to become an RDN, click here. 

Program Goals & Curriculum

Baylor University Medical Center’s internship program meets the core competencies required by ACEND designed to provide the required knowledge and skills for entry-level practice. These competencies are taught on an individualized level utilizing a variety of teaching methods. The interns complete weekly rotations, special projects, and attend a weekly classes throughout the year to augment the intern’s current knowledge and to prepare the intern for hands-on experiences. Participation in professionally sponsored activities is required (e.g. Northeast Regional Academy of Nutrition meetings). The program coordinates a Mentor/Mentee Program to provide each intern with a mentor for ongoing support and guidance during the year.

 

Program Goals

Our internship has three primary goals. A detailed summary of the program's outcomes may be requested by sending an email to Karen.Geismar@BSWhealth.org. 

Our Primary Goals

1. The program will prepare graduates to be competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists

  • At least 80 percent of interns complete program requirements within within 13.5 months for DI and within 31.5 months for MCN/DI. (150% of program length).
  • At least 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 percent.
  • Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • Ninety-five percent of graduates will respond “agree” to “strongly agree” that they were well prepared for entry-level practice.
  • Ninety-five percent of employers will respond “agree” to “strongly agree” that graduates are well prepared for entry-level practice.

 

2. The program will prepare graduates who demonstrate professionalism and continued learning

  • Greater than or equal to 90 percent of employers responding to a survey will rate graduates as satisfactory or better for professional competence.
  • Eighty percent of graduates responding to a survey are members of professional organizations.

 

3. The program will prepare graduates who demonstrate a commitment to community service.

  • Fifty percent of graduates responding to a survey are involved in community service.

Clinical Rotations (17 weeks)

  • Clinical Basics
  • General Medicine
  • ICU
  • Cardiology ICU
  • Gastrointestinal Disease
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Oncology
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Trauma ICU
  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Staff Relief

Community (7 weeks)

  • Baylor Scott & White Health & Wellness Institute
  • Home Infusion Therapy
  • Corporate Wellness
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Eating Disorders
  • Outpatient Counseling
  • Dental & Oral Health

Management (7 weeks)

  • Hospital Patient Services
  • Small Hospital Management
  • Production
  • Patient Services
  • Retail
  • Nutrition Informatics
  • Clinical Nutrition Management

  • Each intern will complete a research project under the mentorship of an assigned research coach, as well as additional projects detailed in the internship curriculum.
  • One-hour Journal Club presentation with discussion and critique of journal article related to a research topic.
  • One case study presentation detailing the Nutrition Care process of a patient seen during assigned rotation.
  • Professional presentation of research outcomes.
  • Written research abstract or professional paper.
  • Development and participation in events promoting National Nutrition Month activities.

Dietetic Internship Track:

Interns completing the dietetic internship track may be enrolled in a graduate program independent of the internship and will follow the curriculum set forth by the University. Academic advising, course sequencing, tuition, and fees including any differential expenses for distance education should be verified with the university in which the intern is enrolled.

A graduate degree must be completed within one year of completing the dietetic internship. The Graduate degree program must meet the Graduate Degree Criteria Checklist to ensure the degree plan will support completion of supervised practice.

Interns will enter supervised practice in August following selection into the program. Interns entering the program while enrolled in graduate school who have less than 12 hours of graduate credit may choose to start the supervised practice the following year of the application process to ensure the graduate degree is completed within one year of completing the dietetic internship.

Interns may apply in the Spring 2025 acceptance for the following supervised practice cohorts:

  • 8/11/2025-5/20/2026
  • 8/10/2026-5/19/2027 (recommended for interns who will have earned less than 12 hours of graduate credit by May 2026)

MCN/DI

Interns enrolled in the MCN/DI track will be enrolled in graduate coursework through Texas A&M University for the duration of the program.

  • Year one of coursework is completed in College Station at Texas A&M University.
  • Year two of the program interns will begin supervised practice at Baylor University Medical Center campus in Dallas, Texas and remain enrolled in graduate courses.
  • Additional information on the MCN/DI calendar, graduate courses, and tuition costs including differential cost for distance education is available on Texas A&M MCN/DI schedule and curriculum website.

Dietetic Internship

Interns will enter supervised practice in August following selection into the program. Interns entering the program while enrolled in graduate school who have less than 12 hours of graduate credit may choose to start the supervised practice the following year of the application process to ensure the graduate degree is completed within one year of completing the dietetic internship

Interns may apply in the Spring 2025 match for the following supervised practice cohorts:

  • 8/11/2024 – 05/20-2026
  • Or 8/10/2026 – 5/19/2027 (recommended for interns who will have earned less than 12 hours of graduate credit by May 2026 )

MCN/DI

Interns enrolled in the MCN/DI will follow the academic calendar set forth by Texas A&M for the first year. Interns will follow the supervised practice calendar in year two.

Supervised Practice Calendar

2024-2025:8/12/2024-5/21/2025

2025-2026: 8/11/2025-5/20/2026 (coming soon)

2026-2027: 8/10/2026-5/19/2027 (coming soon)

Travel Requirements

Transportation and fuel expenses to off-campus facilities for educational purposes are the interns' responsibility. Some rotations are located in the surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth area and require a commute (maximum approximately 30 miles, subject to change). Public transportation will not be feasible for all rotation sites. The program does not give consideration to the intern’s residential address when scheduling assignments to off-campus facilities.

Why We Love the Program

Don't just take our word for it. Hear from some of our recent graduates to learn more about the Baylor Scott & White difference.

"I cannot praise the Baylor University Medical Center internship highly enough! While clinically focused, I was offered such a wide variety of rotation experiences. This internship not only prepares competent and skillful RDs, but it creates leaders and agents for change to continue to drive the field of dietetics forward."

Kara Espey, 2020 Graduate

"The Baylor University Medical Center dietetic internship exceeded my expectations. The preceptors, internship director and manager, variety of rotations and projects, and rigor of the clinical concentration have left me feeling as prepared as possible to take the CDR exam and begin my career as a registered dietitian.

Danika Welsch, 2020 Graduate

"This internship was an amazing experience! The faculty, preceptors, and other interns were all passionate and driven to learn and teach. I loved getting to experience so many different roles of the RDN. This internship was fast paced, challenging, and rewarding. I feel confident to go into the work field as an RDN in many different areas."

Mikaylan Sickle, 2020 Graduate

Financial Information

Dietetic Internship
Estimated Expenses
Academy membership $58
Internship application fee $75
Internship fee $8,000
Registration exam (following completion of program) $200
Laptop, supplies, misc. fees (safety shoes, study references, external background checks etc.)  $300
Liability insurance $24
Internship Online System Subscription Fee $100
Drug screen (including nicotine), background check and required immunizations (provided by hospital) $0
Total Estimated Required Cost $8,657
 
Personal Varied Additional Cost  
Local housing cost $700–$900/month
Meals (one meal per day is provided during supervised practice when rotating on the main hospital campus)  $10–$15/day
Travel (distance for off-site rotations can vary) $900/year

Masters of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Expenses

  • Estimated expenses include the cost for the full 21 months, including graduate school tuition and internship fees and expenses
  • A minimum of 36 graduate hours is required for the Master of Clinical Nutrition degree
  • Standard information on tuition and fees, including differential tuition associated with courses offered through distance education for graduate hours may be found at the Texas A&M Student Business Services
  • Financial aid eligibility and information is available from Texas A&M University

 

MCN/DI
Estimated Expenses
Academy membership $58
Internship application fee $75
Graduate program application fee (pending match to program) $65
Internship (supervised practice) fee (year two) $8,000
Graduate Coursework Tuition & Fees (year one & two combined) $14,749 resident
$31,445 non-resident
Registration exam (following completion of program) $200
Laptop, supplies, misc. fees (safety shoes, study references, external background checks etc.) $1,312
Liability insurance (year two) $24
Internship Online System Subscription Fee (year two) $100
Drug screen (including nicotine), background check and required immunizations $0
Total Estimated Required Cost $24,583 resident
$41,279 non-resident
 
Personal Varied Additional Cost  
Local housing cost $700–$900/month
Meals (one meal per day is provided during supervised practice when rotating on the main hospital campus)  $10–$15/day
Travel (distance for off-site rotations can vary) $900/year

 

Admission Requirements

Dietetic Internship

  • Verification Statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian education program (FDE) completion or declaration of intent to complete the DPD requirements prior to 8/12/24.
  • Graduate Degree:
    • Earned at least a graduate degree granted by a U.S. accredited college/university or foreign equivalent as verified by a Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) approved nonprofit agency (approved nonprofit agencies available at ACEND website).
      • or
    • Enrolled in a graduate degree program that will be completed within one year of completing the dietetic internship. Graduate degree program must meet the Graduate Degree Criteria Checklist to ensure the degree plan will support completion of supervised practice.
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, with a science GPA of 3.25 or better preferred.
  • GRE is NOT required

MCN/DI

  • Earned at least a bachelor’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited college/university or foreign equivalent as verified by a Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) approved nonprofit agency (approved nonprofit agencies available at ACEND website).
  • Verification Statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian education program (FDE) completion or declaration of intent to complete the DPD requirements prior to 8/12/24.
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, with a science GPA of 3.25 or better preferred.
  • GRE is NOT required
  • Application to Texas A&M graduate school is required to MATCHED individuals only and is not required prior to match day. International students must meet requirements for international students including minimum TOEFL sores. Minimum requirements for graduate school are found here

How to Apply

We use the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) to accept applications, transcripts and other supporting application materials.

Application deadline is February 15, 2025.

Apply now

In addition to the required documentation in DICAS, provide the following documentation with your application:

  • Personal statement addressing the following:
    • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
    • What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career?
    • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
    • What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
    • What is your reason(s) for wanting to come to Baylor University Medical Center?
  • Three letters of recommendation: two professors in food and nutrition and one current or recent employer
  • Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent of DPD requirements
  • Virtual interviews will be scheduled with candidates of interest prior to match day

Final acceptance is contingent on:

  • Submission of a Verification Statement of Completion of Academic requirements and official transcript(s) from the college(s) in which the DPD requirements and graduate degree (if applying to DI only option) were completed within 30 days of the start date of the program.
  • Passing a post-offer background verification and the Employee Health Services pre-employment screening for substance abuse and nicotine. Individuals also must demonstrate proof of vaccination against preventable disease, prior to the start of the program. Any adverse findings may result in candidate being denied final acceptance in the Dietetic Internship Program.
  • Proof of insurance. Health insurance is required of all students. Students must acquire insurance on their own. Proof of automobile liability insurance for travel is required of all students. Professional liability insurance can be obtained for one year. Information regarding where the professional liability insurance can be obtained will be provided prior to the internship.

Online Payment Options

Internship Tuition Payment

Pay Here

 

NICU Advanced Practice Program Fee

Pay Here $650.00

Program Information: This program provides participants with hands on training in neonatal nutrition assessment and medical nutrition therapy for low birth weight and/or premature infants. The 3-day program will be tailored to meet individual learning needs and goals. Attendees will work one on one with Baylor University Medical Center neonatal dietitians. For more information contact Heather.Hendrikson@bswhealth.org

Who Should Attend: Registered Dietitians who are employed within a neonatal intensive care unit or those desiring to develop or expand their role in the unit.

Contact Us

Karen Geismar MS, RD, LD, CNSC
Dietetic Internship Director
Karen.Geismar@bswhealth.org

Dietetic Internship
Baylor University Medical Center
3500 Gaston Ave
Dallas, TX 75246

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800.877.1600, Ext. 5400

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