Our interns gain experience in a wide variety of settings
The Arizona State University Dietetic Internship prepares students to become entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists through a combination of graduate education and supervised practice. The ASU Dietetic Internship is a single ACEND-accredited program offering multiple track options designed to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Interns apply the nutrition care process and evidence-based guidelines to real-world nutrition challenges, while developing critical skills in leadership, cultural competence, communication and nutrition education.
- Hospitals and outpatient clinics
- Community and public health agencies
- Schools and foodservice systems
- Government, community and private practice settings
Program contact
Maureen McCoy, MS, RDN, FAND
Teaching Professor and Dietetic Internship Director
College of Health Solutions
[email protected]
Program tracks
The Dietetic Internship offers multiple program options that differ in format and timeline but lead to the same program outcomes and eligibility for the RDN credential.
Additional program option
Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP)
- Who can apply: PhD candidates at Arizona State University, Nutrition and Exercise Science PhD program.
- Start term: Summer following completion of PhD
- Supervised practice: Full-time after the completion of the PhD. Prior documented learning and supervised practice experiences may be evaluated in accordance with program policies outlined in the Dietetic Internship Handbook.
- Location: Phoenix Metro area
- Credits required: completion of DPD coursework (credits will vary depending on coursework needed), up to 6 additional credits required, post-PhD
- Total Practice hours: 1000
- Time to completion: 24 months
Estimated Total Cost (excluding PhD tuition and fees):
- AZ residents: approximately $5,330
- Non-residents approximately $8,924
Please note: The ISPP option is being phased out and will sunset effective August 1, 2028. Applicants must be able to complete all program requirements prior to this date.
Costs are estimates based on current tuition rates. Please refer to the ASU tuition website for updates.
Additional Costs May Include:
- Books and educational materials
- Transportation to supervised practice sites
- Housing and living expenses
- Professional liability insurance
- Application fees (DICAS and ASU Graduate College)
Program Information for Applicants
Detailed information regarding:
- ASU Academic Calendar
- program objectives
- application requirements
- estimated costs
- completion requirements
- financial aid
- distance education requirements
prior learning policies
Please refer to the Dietetic Internship Handbook for complete policies and program details for all track options.
MS/DI track comparison
| MS/DI Standard Track | MS/DI VA Track | ISPP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start term | Fall semester | Spring semester | Summer |
| Interns accepted | 16 | 6 | 2 |
| Eligibility | Graduates of any accredited DPD program | Graduates of any accredited DPD program; must be U.S. citizens | Arizona State University, Nutrition and Exercise Science PhD program candidates |
| Supervised practice | Full-time (Sept–March, year two) | Part-time (August–April) concurrent with coursework | Full time, Summer following PhD comps |
| Practice locations | Greater Phoenix metro area | Phoenix VA or Northern Arizona VA (Prescott) | Greater Phoenix metro area |
| Graduate coursework | Year one and research thesis or applied project | Concurrent with rotations and applied project | Completion of PhD |
| Credits required | 33 | 31 | 6 |
| Total supervised practice hours | ~1,132 | ~1,100 | ~1,000 |
| Time to completion | 24 months | 16 months | 24 months |
| Program focus | General track, Maternal Child Health, Sports Nutrition | Research | Research |
| Application deadline | Jan.15 | September 10 | First year of PhD |
| Apply via | DICAS and ASU Graduate Admissions | DICAS and ASU Graduate Admissions | ASU Graduate Admissions |
| Degree earned | MS in Nutritional Science and DI Verification Statement | MS in Nutritional Science and DI Verification Statement | DI Verification Statement |
Program accreditation
ASU’s Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, under the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
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eatrightpro.org/acend