The Winthrop University (WU) Department of Human Nutrition offers a highly competitive Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) for those individuals seeking a career in the rapidly growing and high-demand field of nutrition and dietetics.
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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). To ensure our Dietetic Interns meet this criterion, individuals who have not yet earned a Master’s degree will enter our combined MS/DI program, outlined in the Sample Intern Schedule section.
With the transition to our MS/DI program, NUTR 607 (3): Research Methods and NUTR 632 (1): Orientation to Professional Practice in Dietetics both contain competencies required for successful completion of the supervised practice component of the MS/DI. Individuals entering the program who have already obtained a Master’s degree will undergo a prior learning assessment to determine whether these competencies have been met. If the student has not met competencies provided in these courses in prior learning, the student will be required to take both NUTR 607 and NUTR 632 through Winthrop University.
For more information about this requirement, visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.
Students are required to have a baccalaureate degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university before they enter the Dietetic Internship program. Applying for this program happens through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS).
Note: Winthrop University DPD applicants interested in the preadmission option must contact Stephanie Nielsen, Internship Director, at nielsens@winthrop.edu.
Acceptance into the Winthrop University MS/DI program is highly competitive. A maximum of 21 interns are selected for the internship each year. Selection criteria are based on:
*The selection committee, composed of professionals in the field of dietetics and faculty members, evaluates the applications, interviews the candidates, and determines who will receive offers.
A Winthrop University Dietetic Internship application checklist is available here.
Internship applicants must be able to demonstrate successful completion of DPD coursework within three years prior to the starting date of the internship supervised practice component. Students already having obtained a graduate degree at the time of application must be able to demonstrate successful completion of the DI related competencies in NUTR 607 (3): Research Methods and NUTR 632 (1): Orientation to Professional Practice in Dietetics within three years prior to the starting date of the internship supervised practice component. Students who need to improve their knowledge and/or skills will be advised by the Dietetic Internship Director as to which DPD-required or Master’s degree courses should be successfully completed to meet eligibility requirements for consideration to pursue supervised practice in this program.
Interns who are accepted by Winthrop University will be contacted and instructed to apply for admission to Winthrop's Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program through the Winthrop University Graduate Studies application process. Please note that this process also applies to those already holding a graduate-level degree. This includes the Graduate Studies application and official transcript(s)* sent directly to Winthrop from the issuing institution(s). Students must submit their completed application to the Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program by June 15. MS/DI applicants should seek admission for the fall semester during which they would start the program. Dietetic interns are eligible for financial aid as graduate students enrolled at Winthrop University.
To obtain information on courses required for the MS component of the MS/DI program, students should contact Dr. Jessie Hoffman at hoffmanj@winthrop.edu or 803/323-4552.
*Application to Winthrop University Graduate Studies requires separate copies of official transcripts.
The Winthrop University MS/DI supervised practice component provides a minimum of 1000 hours of experience in order to meet entry-level practice competencies. The program emphasis is on Nutrition Therapy in both inpatient and outpatient nutrition care practice. WU dietetic interns work under the supervision of outstanding practitioners from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, many of whom have active leadership roles within the region and profession. This internship is ideal for individuals who are capable of functioning independently and who demonstrate self-directed learning and leadership qualities. The program combines theoretical and practical experiences that enable future dietetic professionals to expand their knowledge in areas of dietetics such as medical nutrition therapy, public/community health nutrition, corporate wellness programs, sports nutrition, and food and nutrition management.
Upon successful completion of the program's learning experiences and ACEND competencies, as well as demonstrated participation in the program specified review course, interns receive a verification statement. Interns must also apply to complete the Certificate program in January as directed by the DI Director for graduation from both the MS degree in September of year 2 and the Certificate DI program in January of the final semester. Upon validation by CDR, interns are eligible to take the national registration examination for dietitians (RDN exam). Successful completion of the internship supervised practice rotations meets the requirements of the Winthrop University Certificate Dietetic Internship Program.
Over the past five years, 94.9% of Winthrop University Dietetic Internship graduates were hired in the field of dietetics within three months of program completion!
During year 1, the program follows the university online calendar (PDF - 187KB) for 7C courses for fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
In year two, the program follows the university calendar (PDF - 101KB) beginning with an orientation during the first week of fall semester (typically the third week in August) and concludes at the end of the spring semester (typically during the first week of May). Year 2 is approximately 32-34 weeks.
Please note: Matriculation into supervised practice component in year 2 is dependent on satisfactory performance in the MS coursework as evidenced by a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| Sample Rotation Schedule* | |
|---|---|
| DI Orientation Week | August 21-23 |
| Food and Nutrition Management Rotation | August 28-October 13 |
| Outpatient Education, Wellness, Consultation, or Long-Term Care Rotation |
October 16-December 8 (Thanksgiving Break: November 22-25) |
| Winter Break | December 9-January 7^ |
| Inpatient Clinical Rotation | January 8-April 19 |
| Final Week Activities on Campus | April 22-26 |
*All rotations have the possibility of including weekend experiences. Dietetic Interns are expected to participate in all experiences assigned by the rotation site.
^MS Graduation will be in December following the University calendar (PDF - 101KB)
Interns attend selected on-campus or virtual seminar days typically scheduled on designated Fridays in September, October, November, January, and February. Meetings with the internship director are also planned throughout each semester. Interns participate in special activities such as health fairs, community events, professional meetings, and SC Policy Day. These selected activities are required, as they constitute a fourth rotation in Professional Development where interns develop leadership and professional skills to support entry into the profession.
During the interview process, applicants are asked to identify any practice specialty areas of interest. Many factors are considered when deciding on the interns’ geographic placement and schedules including background and prior experiences including expectations and preferences by lead preceptors regarding intern sites. The Internship Director carefully considers individual student competence, background knowledge and likelihood of success when assigning interns to facilities. Interns are not guaranteed assignment to any one particular geographic region or practice site.
Over 60 internship affiliates, private practices, corporations, medical centers, long-term care facilities, public health departments and school food and nutrition services provide experiences for the program. The combination of rotations varies annually and with each intern depending on the availability and suitability of the facilities and preceptors. The Nutrition Therapy Inpatient/Acute Care (NTI) rotation serves as the home base around which the other rotations are planned. Outpatient/community and food management rotations are planned within a 70 mile radius of the “home” base. Geographic regions include: Rock Hill, Lancaster, and Chester, SC: Columbia/Lexington/Sumter, SC; Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, Aiken, SC, Florence, SC, and Myrtle Beach, SC area and surrounding counties; and the Charlotte, NC region including Union, Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties.
Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition for enrollment at Winthrop University, many of our dietetic internship supervised practice sites and facilities now require the vaccine in order to complete a supervised practice rotation with them. We are abiding by the facility requirements for not only the COVID-19 vaccine, but also all immunizations required. We do have sites that will not accept medical waivers. Rotation scheduling is not adjusted based on vaccine status.
We know that choosing a location for your Dietetic Internship is a big decision. If you’d like to learn more about our program, please use the following links.
For more information, please feel free to contact the Dietetic Internship Director, Ms. Stephanie Nielsen or Graduate Program Director, Dr. Jessie Hoffman, between August 15 and June 15.
