PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

The Distance Dietetic Internship Program accepts thirty-five interns per year to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of Supervised Dietetic Practice within a ten-month period. 

Interns are required to locate their own preferred Supervised Practice sites and preceptors.  However, the program does provide some assistance in obtaining sites and preceptors as needed.  Preceptors are mostly Registered Dietitians, and they complete an affiliation agreement with Oakwood University. Upon admission interns will be given access to former Oakwood University preceptors and affiliation sites in their chosen demographic area.  These sites provide experience at various hospitals, food service institutions, long-term care facilities, public health and wellness facilities and other facilities.  Then interns can begin rotations after the first week of orientation.  

Accreditation Status 

The accreditation of Oakwood University’s Distance Dietetic Internship has been placed on probationary status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400
http://www.eatrightPro.org/ACEND

For an explanation of probationary status, consult the director of the nutrition and dietetics program. 

*Program outcome data is available upon request. 

The Oakwood University (OU) DDIP trains dietetic practitioners, to serve in the fields of dietetics and nutrition. It provides didactic and experiential opportunities which enable interns to develop skills, demonstrate professionalism, apply knowledge, and work effectively to improve the quality of nutrition for the people they serve. The program integrates faith and learning, preparing individuals to serve God and man. 

Goal #1 – To assist graduates in completing the internship program in a timely manner by providing needed support, guidance, and resources.

1. At least 80% of full-time interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of the planned program length).
2. At least 80% of part-time interns will complete program requirements within 30 months. (150% of planned program length). 
3. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
4. At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
5. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 

Goal #2 –To prepare graduates with entry-professional level dietitian skills and knowledge to improve the nutritional status and health of the diverse communities they serve.

1. At least 50% of interns will be ethnically diverse or male.
2. At least 80% of the program graduates will rate the adequacy of program preparation  “3” or greater on a 5-point Likert scale.
3. At least 80% percent of employers will rate graduates “3” or greater on a 5-point Likert scale as being entry-level prepared.

Technology Requirements: Interns need to have a reliable internet connection; a computer with app capabilities, carrier, and microphone; phone access, either cell or landline; and access to a printer and scanner.

The pathway to become an RDN via a dietetic internship program includes: 

• Completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university (or a foreign equivalent) **
• Completion of Dietetic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Educationin Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
• Acceptance into and completion of an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship Program such as the Oakwood University DDIP
• Passage of the credentialing exam to become an RDN
• Obtaining licensure according to State requirements

I wanted to reach out to update you all on our (almost) family of 5, and thank everyone at Oakwood for the support they showed us through this whole process. The prospect of doing a distance program did not seem easy and setting up the rotations was not the easiest; however, I know this was God’s path and it led me to be able to do everything I needed to do to become an RD. Thank you all and God bless!
-Deirdre Timm, RDN and co.

Thank you for all the extra time you took to go over questions.  I appreciate your support. Krista Baehler 

I am happy to inform you all, that I passed my RD exam yesterday!  Thank you so much for all your guidance, support, and prayers. With gratitude.  Briana Harper MS, RD. 

“Words could never express how honored I was to be select into the Dietetic Internship Distance Certificate Program at Oakwood University, in Huntsville, Alabama.  It was everything I dreamed of and hoped for, in a Dietetic Internship. The moment I stepped onto the oakwood University campus; I knew it was the right place for me.  It has an organized initiative present to empower its students to make healthy choices; it is a real lifestyle approach.” -ShLanda Burton, North Carolina. 

I passed my (RD) exam! I am so thrilled! I want to thank you all again for your support, flexibility, and encouragement during the internship.  Since my company was paying for me to do this, I had to complete it on their terms – the flexibility you provided was outstanding, and I couldn’t recommend your program enough. – Michaela Rowland, NY

• Attend the mandatory one-week orientation on the campus of Oakwood University or virtually during the pandemic.
• The  DDIP requires completion of 1000 practice hours.  No more than 300 hours of these hours may be completed as alternate practice hours.
• Pass program exam by at least 75%.
• Submission of an E-Portfolio.
• Tuition and fees paid in full.
• Prior learning experience can be applied towards supervised hours. See Program Policies and Procedures tab for more information.

• FULL TIME: 10 months
• PART TIME: 20 months

• Financial information can also be located in the Dietetic Internship Handbook.
  
• Additional information contact: Cashier 256-726-8429, Automated System 256-726-7791, Financial Aid 256-726-7210
  
• Download Fee Chart

Distance Dietetic Internship Intern Policies & Procedures Handbook 2022 to 2023

DI Preceptor Handbook 2022 – 2023

Preceptor CPEU Information

DI_Preceptor_Training_2022-2023

Preceptor Resource Link

Please note this statement in the back of the Preceptor Handbook: ACEND provides training materials on strategies to recognize and monitor biases and reduce microagressions and discrimination. Access those resources here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/about-acend/diversity-equity-and- inclusion