Current Interns

The DI is designed to meet or exceed each of the Competencies/Learning Outcomes for a Dietetic Internship Program, as established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Completion of the University of Illinois DI Program fulfills all CDR requirements for supervised practice hours in order to take the Registration Exam.

The DI Handbook (pdf) contains information on the program structure, expectations, and policies and procedures.

Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics

All interns are required to follow the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2009; 109:1461-1467

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, believe it is in the best interest of the profession and the public it serves to have a Code of Ethics in place that provides guidance to dietetics practitioners in their professional practice and conduct. Dietetics practitioners have voluntarily adopted a Code of Ethics to reflect the values and ethical principles guiding the dietetics profession and to outline commitments and obligations of the dietetics practitioner to client, society, self, and the profession.

The Ethics Code applies in its entirety to members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who are Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs). Except for sections solely dealing with the credential, the Code applies to all members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who are not RDs or DTRs. Except for aspects solely dealing with membership, the Code applies to all RDs and DTRs who are not members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All of the aforementioned are referred to in the Code as "dietetics practitioners." By accepting membership in The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and/or accepting and maintaining Commission on Dietetic Registration credentials, members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed dietetics practitioners agree to abide by the Code.

Courses

During the DI, interns enroll in FSHN 590 Dietetic Internship I in the fall semester and FSHN 591 Dietetic Internship II during the spring semester. Course information can be found on Illinois Compass.

The objective of the FSHN 590 and 591 lectures and supervised practice is to equip interns with the following knowledge and skills:

  • Integration of fundamentals of biological and physical sciences, theories of culture and behavior, learning, management, and social interaction as they relate to human health.
  • Application of the concepts of human biological, social, and psychological development to health and disease.
  • Application of administrative and clinical expertise in hospital-based and community settings.
  • Active enlistment of current research techniques and findings in administrative, clinical, and community areas of practice.
  • Eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • Preparation to function as entry-level registered dietitians and ultimately become leaders in the profession of dietetics.

Supervised Practice

Interns are at supervised practice sites on M-Th or M-F morning, depending on the location of the site. The DI program is full time, beginning in August and ending in May each year. The program provides 1,264 supervised practice hours in clinical, community, and food service administration.

The University of Illinois Dietetic Internship Program has established relationships with local health providers, community programs, and foodservice facilities in order to provide interns with a rich and diverse supervised practice experience.

Rotation Sites

The University of Illinois Dietetic Internship Program has established relationships with a number of local health providers, community programs, and foodservice facilities in order to provide our interns with a rich and diverse supervised practice experience.

  • Bevier Cafe
  • Champaign-Urbana Dialysis Center
  • Carle Physicians Group - Diabetes
  • Carle Physicians Group - Oncology
  • Champaign Public Health and WIC
  • Decatur Memorial Hospital - Clinical
  • Decatur Memorial Hospital - Food Service
  • Eastern Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Illinois Bariatric Center
  • University of Illinois Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
  • University of Illinois Foodservice
  • VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville, IL

Sample Rotation Schedule

Internship Graduation Requirements

Students will be eligible for the registration exam after:

  • Completion of rotations with a minimum of a satisfactory rating.
  • Completion of graduate program requirements and deposition of thesis.
  • Receipt of an AND Verification Statement from the Internship Director following completion of rotations and deposition of thesis. Completion of the graduate program is required to receive a verification statement.
  • Completion of the Intern Exit Packet materials to prove exam eligibility. This packet will be distributed to interns ~1 month prior to the end of the internship. Students will receive confirmation from Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) when all forms have been received and the student is eligible to take the registration examination.

Internship Policies and Procedures

The University of Illinois DI has established a set of policies and procedures to direct the administration of the program and to delineate the rights of dietetic interns and the expectations of behavior within internship. All policies and procedures are fully described in the Policies and Procedures (pdf).