Distance Dietetic Internship (DDI)
Distance Dietetic Internship at UNF:
A Comprehensive Dietetic Internship Opportunity
The University of North Florida offers an Distance Dietetic Internship (DDI), made possible by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend, Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. Phone: (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400 Email: ACEND@eatright.org).
The UNF DDI is a distance dietetic internship track that allows motivated candidates the opportunity to find and utilize facilities/agencies in the candidate's community and other locations and complete the required supervised practice competencies with minimal supervision.
Pathway to Becoming a Registered Dietitian at UNF
Program Description
The University of North Florida (UNF) Distance Dietetic Internship (DDI) is a non-degree seeking, ACEND-accredited pathway designed to provide the required supervised practice experience for individuals pursuing the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. The program is tailored for candidates who prefer flexibility in location and scheduling, allowing them to complete their supervised practice in approved sites across the U.S.
Interns in the UNF DDI will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice across core rotations in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and foodservice management. The program emphasizes competency-based learning, professional development, and preparation for entry-level practice as a Registered Dietitian.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission into the UNF DDI, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- DPD Verification Statement: All applicants must hold a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement. This requirement applies to all candidates, including those with doctoral degrees.
- Graduate Degree Requirement: Applicants must either:
- Hold a completed graduate degree (master’s, PhD, or practice doctorate) from a U.S. regionally accredited institution in a nutrition-related field, or
- Be actively enrolled in a graduate program with documented progress toward completion.
- Degree Completion Timeline: If the applicant does not yet hold a graduate degree, it must be completed within 12 months of finishing the UNF DDI in order to receive the final verification statement.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following:
- DICAS Application: The primary application is submitted through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS).
- Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statement, and Official Transcripts must be included in the DICAS submission.
Deadlines
| DICAS Application Jan. 15 |
Decision March 1 |
Acceptance March 15 |
DICAS APPLICATION
Program Mission Statement
Through excellence in teaching, research, and service, the University of North Florida (UNF) combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship Programs (DI and DDI) will provide a high-quality supervised practice experience and related graduate coursework that prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist for positions in all areas of practice in dietetics and pursue professional development and service.
UNF DDI Goals and Outcomes
DDI Goal #1: To prepare graduates for careers in dietetics.
Outcome: Over a five-year period:
- The program’s one year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- 70% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Of graduates who seek employment, 70% of the graduates are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 90% of employed graduates who responded to the alumni survey will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for their first position.
- At least 80% of program graduates will complete the ISPP requirements within 30 months (150%) of the program length).
DDI Goal #2: Individuals who completed the UNF DDI will be prepared for professional leadership.
Outcome: Over a five-year period:
- 75% of employers will rate graduates’ preparation as average or above average on employer survey.
- 100% of graduates will indicate via the survey that they are participating in leadership activities at their place of employment or in the community (e.g., committee work, presentation).
- 50% of graduates will indicate active participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Programming Schedule and Rotations
Candidates are expected to find all preceptors for the rotations listed. The length of the program is dependent on the candidate’s ability to locate preceptors, obtain approval from the program director, and successful completion of UNF Affiliation Agreements required for each rotation. The program requirements for length are 7.5-11 months depending on full or part-time enrollment, which allows interns to complete the 1000-hour ACEND pre-professional rotations.
Required Rotations
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Food Service Systems and Management
ACEND required rotation of approximately 300 hours
Description: Marketing, procurement, storage, preparation, delivery, service and management of food systems. Interns will practice the operation of equipment, sanitation audits, HACCP guidelines, menu planning, customer service and management activities. This rotation focuses on food service within an inpatient setting for people who have medical needs related to their diets.
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Clinical – Medical Nutrition Therapy
ACEND required rotation of approximately 300 hours
Description: Practicing the nutrition care process with populations with medical conditions impacted by diet including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal disorders. This rotation also includes utilizing the nutrition care process with complicated conditions such as renal disease, multi-system organ failure, cancer and hepatic disease.
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Community
ACEND required rotation of approximately 300 hours
Description: Developing skills to provide nutrition services to the community at large through a variety of activities, programs, and services including nutrition counseling, nutrition education, nutrition assessment, and wellness programs. Interns will also develop skills to evaluate and apply government program guidelines and policies.
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Concentration
An elective requirement of approximately 100 hours
Description: a rotation in which the intern has several choices to decide along with the program director’s approval.
Program Completion Requirements
The UNF DDI is a non-degree certification program in which interns will be awarded a verification statement to those who have earned a graduate degree and completed the DDI program requirements. The program requirements will include a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experiences. The supervised experiences will occur in various settings and practice areas so interns can complete and meet core competencies. The UNF DDI curriculum will provide learning activities to attain and facilitate the achievement of the competencies. At the conclusion of the UNF DDI 1000-hour internship, interns who have not completed the master’s degree will have one year (12 months) to complete and attain the graduate degree. All other DDI interns will receive the certification/verification of completion to sit for the RD exam.
Estimated Expenses and Fees
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Anticipated Expenses
IMPORTANT: UNF DDI candidates are NOT eligible for student financial aid even if they are a recent UNF graduate. While the UNF DDI is a distance program, if one chooses to live near the UNF campus, the following housing fees may apply.
The cost of the program through the University of North Florida, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics is as follows:
Fee Cost Registration Fee for Supervised Practice (1000 hours) Cost $9,100.00 one-time fee (Non-refundable) The candidate can pay in full. However, if a candidate needs to pay in installments, the installment plan is $2,270 for each of the following rotations: Foodservice, Medication Nutrition Therapy, Community Nutrition and Concentration Rotation. Payment is due prior to starting each rotation. Housing ($1,000/month) Cost $12,000 Travel to sites ($200/month) Cost $2,400 Books Cost $1,000 Health Insurance Cost $150 Liability Insurance (per year) Cost $100 Professional Membership Cost $150 Computer/Technology Cost $400 Lab Coats Cost $50 Estimated Personal -
Payment Options and Directions
There are two options for payment:
- The intern will pay the entire $9,100.00 following admission to the program
- Prior to each new rotation, the intern will pay in installments
If an intern is seeking an Assessment of Prior Learning an additional $50 is required for the evaluation of learning competencies.
To initiate payment, the intern will need to complete the Payment Form and e-mail it to the program director Dr. Jill Snyder, jill.snyder@unf.edu. Once processed, the intern will receive a notification with directions to make the payment through the UNF One Stop Services Office.
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Withdrawal and Refund of Fees
All fees are non-refundable. Interns who are admitted into the DDI program are asked to sign a payment contract which states that all fees associated with the UNF DDI are non-refundable and must be paid in full prior to the start of each indicated rotation.
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Financial Aid
Financial aid is not available through UNF for the DDI applicants.
Contact Us
Dr. Jill Snyder
Dr. Claudia Rivero
Internship Clinical Coordinator - DDI, MS/DI, FEM
n01373738@unf.edu
(904) 620-1700