Dietetic Internship Program

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.

History 

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 and 18 students into the Distance Internship.

Applications for the 2025-26 Onsite and Distance Cohorts are due in DICAS February 15, 2025.

To learn more about the BGSU Dietetic Internship Onsite and Distance options, attend any of our virtual open houses.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 12:00 pm EST and 6:00 pm EST

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST and 6:00 pm EST

Here is the Zoom link to the virtual open house https://bgsu-edu.zoom.us/my/laurabrubaker

To schedule a 1:1 meeting please contact:

Laura Brubaker, MFN, RDN, LD.

Assistant Clinical Professor, Dietetic Internship Program Director
lbrubak@bgsu.edu

Why should you choose BGSU?

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 supervised 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. 

Highlights

• Faculty who are committed to helping you succeed
  
• Opportunities to foster your creativity and develop your communication skills through community involvement
  
• Distance option if you need to stay close to home
  
• Opportunities to develop critical thinking skills through challenging graduate coursework that prepares you for the internship rotations 
  
• Affordability
• Part time distance internship option available
• RDN examination prep resources
• 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

Program Overview

BGSU offers an accredited on-campus dietetic internship as well as an accredited distance dietetic internship. Starting January 1, 2024, those seeking eligibility for the RDN exam will be required to have completed the minimum of a graduate degree granted by a US Department of Education accredited institution or foreign equivalent, in addition to the supervised practice experience to be eligible for the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam. 

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 https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap

BGSU is well positioned to help students from a variety of backgrounds meet the needs for their graduate education and supervised practice experience. We know that each student's pathway to success may look a little different. BGSU’s dietetic internship programs welcomes applicants with a variety of backgrounds, including applicants with a previous graduate degree as well as those who separately enroll in a graduate degree either at BGSU or another acceptable degree granting institution. The graduate degree completion can be completed before, during, or after the supervised practice internship requirement (not exceeding 6-months from completion of the dietetic internship). Learn how you can define your path to becoming an RDN with BGSU. 

Eligibility Information 

In order to be eligible to apply for the BGSU Dietetic Internship programs, 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.

BGSU will also require students to demonstrate one of the following at the time of application to the internship: (1) enrolled in or have applied to BGSU's Master of Food and Nutrition degree; (2) be enrolled in a self-identified graduate program with sufficient and satisfactory progress; (3) have already earned a graduate degree at the time of applying to the internship. 

Expectations & Requirements

In order to receive a Verification Statement from BGSU's Dietetic Internship programs 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 and required assignments. Additional hours may be required if competencies are not met.
• Completion of a graduate degree. 
• Satisfactory evaluations from preceptors and Program Director and documentation of entry level competence on the competency forms by your preceptors.
• Completion of simulated exam requirements. 

Example Planned Supervised Practice Hours

• Alternative Experiences (includes case studies, role-playing, and simulations) 40 hours
• Clinical Rotation/Acute Care Rotation 320 hours
• Food Service/Management 128 hours
• Community 128 hours
• WIC 64 hours
• Wellness 64 hours
• Long Term Care 96 hours
• Electives 160 hours
• Total 1000 hours

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

While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dieteticslicensure 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.”

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/

In Ohio, graduates also must obtain licensure with the State Medical Board of Ohio to practice.

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

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.