Prospective DI Program Students

The Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus offers an opportunity to complete a Dietetic Internship (DI) to students admitted to the Department of Nutrition's Master of Science degree program. The DI program meets the requirements necessary for the graduate to be eligible for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) registration examination.

Visit the Admissions Information page for all admission and application procedures.

Students typically apply to the DI program the year following acceptance into the M.S. degree program, if DPD requirements have been met. Students must complete both the M.S. degree requirements and the practicum requirements to satisfy the DI requirements.

Admission is limited to current ASU nutrition MS students, however, typically all MS students who are eligible for a dietetic internship (DPD courses have been completed) are admitted into the ASU Dietetic Internship during their second year of the MS program.  A maximum of eight MS students may begin the ASU DI program each year.

Note: Students admitted to the graduate program in Human Nutrition at ASU's Polytechnic campus may complete DPD requirements while enrolled in the M.S. degree program, then apply for admission into the Dietetic Internship. However, students may not begin the DI program until all DPD requirements have been completed and an ADA Verification Statement has been received.  For more information on DPD requirements, see the Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian page."

The M.S. degree program provides advanced training in research methodologies and biochemical laboratory skills relevant to human nutrition, and requires the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours and a thesis. The DI program provides clinical experiences to meet the performance requirements established by the ADA, and requires the completion of approximately 950 hours of a dietetic practicum. The combined programs are designed to provide optimal didactic and clinical experiences.

Upon completion of all requirements, students will be provided with a Verification Statement indicating their eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The exam is the final step to complete to become a Registered Dietitian. For more information, visit the Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian page.

For more in-depth information on the DI program, see the DI Handbook.