Program Description and Overview

The UMaine Dietetic Internship (DI) is a combined master’s* and internship program that leads to eligibility to sit for the registration exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Traditional and accelerated pathways are available. For both pathways, graduate courses are fully online (30 credit hours) with an in-person, individualized supervised practice experience (1072 hours). An intern may take courses in human nutrition and/or food science.

Currently, the program is approved to accept up to ten dietetic interns per year and two Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP)** interns per year. Our graduates have a high passage rate for the National Registration Exam (96%) and are employed readily within the field of dietetics.

*Both master’s and doctoral programs are available. The minimum degree requirement for entry-level RDNs is a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral degree), so the UMaine DI Program fulfills these requirements.
**The ISPP option is only available for UMaine doctoral students.

Traditional Pathway

This pathway is for those students who have completed an ACEND Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) (from another institution or from UMaine).

  • 30 credit hours
  • Fully online graduate coursework
  • In-person, individualized supervised practice experience (1072 hours)
  • (19 – 21 months)
  • Thesis and non-thesis options

Over the two years (19 – 21 months), interns spend two semesters completing online courses, two semesters in supervised practice (in-person), and then finish the final semester of online coursework, graduating in May of the second year. This timeline is typical for non-thesis students.

During the two-year program (19 – 21 months), interns may spend the first academic year, summer and second fall in online coursework, followed by two semesters of in-person supervised practice, graduating in August of the second year. This timeline is typical for thesis students.

Traditional Curriculum

Accelerated Pathway

This pathway is available to eligible students in UMaine’s DPD program and decreases the total amount of time required to complete an M.S and the DI (in as few as 16 months).

  • 30 credit hours (9 of the credits are completed during the DPD program)
  • Fully online graduate coursework
  • In-person, individualized supervised practice experience (1072 hours)
  • 16 to 18 months
  • Thesis and non-thesis options

Over the 16 to 18 months, interns spend one semester completing online courses (fall), two semesters (spring and summer) in supervised practice (in-person), and then finish the final semester of online coursework (fall), graduating in December of the second year. This timeline is typical for non-thesis students.

Over the 16 to 18 months, interns spend one semester completing online courses (fall), one semester completing thesis research (spring), and two semesters (summer and fall) in supervised practice (in-person), graduating in December of the second year. This timeline is typical for thesis students.

Accelerated Curriculum
A computer layout explaining the benefits of choosing UMaine's DI Program, including flexible learning, dedicated faculty, small classes, and high RDN exam pass rate.

Online Coursework

Credit Hours

Pass Rate RDN Exam

Interested in a Thesis?

A thesis is a great way to gain experience in nutrition research. We have many faculty with expertise in community nutrition, food insecurity, childhood nutrition, integrative health, metabolism, aging, and more. Prior to working with your thesis advisor, be sure to discuss if you need to be on location.

Individual program length can vary. Interns are expected to complete the program within 36 months (150% of planned program length).

The UMaine MSDI program is accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

The UMaine DI program is an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program that provides the necessary education (graduate degree) and supervised practice experience that is needed to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Prior to applying to this program, all applicants must have completed an ACEND-accredited undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), which is the first step toward becoming an RDN. The third and final step in becoming an RDN (after completing the supervised practice program) is to take the registration examination for dietitians. Exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Information on the exam can be found at CDR’s website. Current registration by CDR entitles dietitians to apply for licensure in the State of Maine.

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program. Further information on licensure statutes and information on dietetics regulation in each state can be found here.

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.

Contact Us

Kayla Parsons, PhD, RDN
Dietetic Internship Director
University of Maine
Kayla.l.parsons@maine.edu
115 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04469