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.

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.

2. 1. Earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program. Classes vary according to program, but in general, coursework covers subjects that may range from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry. A master’s degree is required to be eligible for the RDN exam. Some accredited programs include a master’s degree, while other students complete their undergraduate in dietetics and earn a master’s degree in another field (e.g. public health, communications, etc.).

    

   2. Complete a supervised practice requirement. In addition, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings.

    

   3. Pass a national exam for RDNs. Once you complete your degrees and supervised practice, you may schedule to take CDR’s Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as registered dietetics nutritionist. This is called “RDN eligibility,” meaning you have completed the requirements to become eligible to take the national exam.

    

   4. Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes.

    

   5. Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations, and best practices.
    

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 the completion of 1000 supervised practice hours.  No more than 300 hours of these hours may be completed as alternate practice hours.
• Pass the program exam by at least 80%.
• Submission of an E-Portfolio.
• Tuition and fees are paid in full.
• Prior learning experience can be applied towards supervised hours. See the 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 2024 to 2025 (Updated 12/2024)

ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING

The program has established specific guidelines for interns regarding credit for prior learning, including program-specific limitations and documentation needed. Assigning credit for prior learning:

Forms:

• Prior Learning Request Form
• Preceptor Qualification
• Competency Evaluation

When the requirements listed in the table are met, the intern may be granted credit equivalent to the number of hours required for that rotation as stated in the “Suggested Rotation Schedule.” The required documentation must be provided along with the application to the program. Credit will be assigned during the admissions process. Interns may apply to be granted partial credit for prior work or volunteer experiences toward completion of their supervised practice hours. Credit is only offered for core rotations, food service, or community nutrition for interns who are not Diet Tech Registered. We do offer credit for clinical nutrition for interns who are Diet Tech Registered. Interns may receive up to 25% maximum reduction of 1000 hours (250 hours). Paid work or volunteering must have been completed during the last five years. Rotation schedules should reflect the credited number of supervised practice hours. Email all documents in the Prior Learning Application to ddip@oakwood.edu. *The cost to review and evaluate this application is included in the current tuition and fees.

Please refer to pages 20-22 in the Distance Dietetic Internship Program Handbook Policy & Procedures for information on assessment of prior learning. 

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