Dietetic Internship Program

The Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Bowling Green State University has been in existence since 1992. We currently offer two options to interested students. We accept 7 students into the On-site Dietetic Internship + Masters Program and 18 students into the Distance Internship + Graduate Certificate Program/Master's Degree Program.

For additional information, please contact:

Laura Brubaker, MFN, RDN, LD
Assistant Clinical Professor, Dietetic Internship Director
lbrubak@bgsu.edu

Why should you choose BGSU?

• Faculty who are committed to helping you succeed.
  
• Opportunities to foster your creativity and develop your communication skills through community involvement
  
• Options include a distance option if you need to stay close to home.
  
• Opportunities to develop your critical thinking skills through challenging graduate coursework that prepares you for the Internship.
  
• Elective rotations enable you to pursue individual interests supportive of your professional goals

Click here to learn more about BGSU's campus, mission, and the community

The BGSU Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics provides a pathway that allows you to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).  Upon successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised practice and graduate classes, which will enhance your knowledge base and critical thinking skills, you will receive a DI Verification Statement.  This establishes your eligibility to sit for the national Registration Exam administered by the Commission of Dietetics Registration.

Once you pass the exam, you are considered an RDN and are eligible to apply for licensure in states that require it.

At Bowling Green State University, we are committed to providing a program that allows you to pursue individual interests that are supportive of your long-term goals. This includes 160 hours devoted to electives in both the on-site and distance options.

In alignment with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Strategic Plan, you will be guided throughout your practice experience in the development of knowledge and skills in the areas of wellbeing and prevention that you can bring with you in your career to increase equitable access to food and nutrition services while improving the health and wellness of the public across all stages of life. Supervised practice experiences will add to your preparation as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as you position yourself as the nutrition expert in any future work environment.

Eligibility Information 

In order to be eligible to apply for the BGSU Dietetic Internship, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree and have received a DPD Verification Statement, which indicates you have met the Core Knowledge requirement by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  If your degree is in dietetics from an ACEND accredited program, you will receive this form upon graduation.   If your Bachelor’s Degree is not in dietetics, information on where to start if you already have a degree can be found here.

Visit Us On Campus

If you will be visiting, or live in the Bowling Green, Ohio area, and would like a tour of our facilities, schedule an individual visit.  Please contact Laura Brubaker, Dietetic Internship Program Director at lbrubak@bgsu.edu. 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to prepare you to become an entry-level dietitian by providing a route to dietetic registration with an emphasis on health and wellness.  The Program enables you to pursue individual interests supportive of your professional goals.

Expectations & Requirements

In order to receive your Verification Statement and become eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration Examination, you must meet the following criteria:

• Successful completion of 1000 hours of supervised practice in community, clinical and food service facilities. Additional hours may be required if competencies are not met.
• Completion of 15 graduate credit hours (distance option - unless you have equivalent coursework) or have made significant progress towards completion of the Master’s Degree (on-site option).
• Completion/presentation of case studies, readings and assignments during internship
• Satisfactory evaluations from preceptors and Program Director and documentation of entry level competence on the competency forms by your preceptors.
• Attendance at seminars and conferences, as applicable.
• Completion of domain – related quizzes and exams

Accreditation Status

The Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400 http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In Ohio, graduates also must obtain licensure with the State Medical Board of Ohio to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited combined Dietetic Internship + Master’s Degree Program at Bowling Green State University are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam.

State Licensure Requirements

It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification laws as some states may interpret their statutes differently.  More information about state licensure and certification is available at this link: https://med.ohio.gov/

Eligibility for licensure is conferred upon successfully passing the Commission on Dietetics Registration Exam and meeting individual state application requirements.