Dietetic Internship

The Dietetic Internship Program at the University of the Incarnate Word offers an 8-month program for full-time interns in San Antonio, Texas. This internship provides supervised practice experiences in hospitals (general clinical, clinical management, food service management), renal dialysis clinics, hospice care, school districts, long-term care, food bank, community child daycare/family center/clinic, and WIC clinics. Interns will also be able to select from several choice supervised practice experiences including corporate product development, eating recovery, and home infusion services. All supervised practice experiences occur off-campus and therefore, require each student to have reliable transportation and current liability insurance.

The UIW Dietetic Internship is currently granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-0040 ext. 5400.

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 be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that a candidate completes coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

The University of the Incarnate Word Dietetic Internship provides the supervised practice hours necessary in the training of RDNs. Interns must have already completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics through an ACEND-accredited program before starting the internship. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship at the University of the Incarnate Word will be eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN once they provide evidence of completing a graduate degree. The dietetic internship does not provide a graduate degree.

In the state of Texas, those successfully completing the RDN exam are then eligible to apply for licensure. For further information about the process for becoming a RDN, please refer to What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist? For further information about licensure of dietitians in Texas, please refer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the University of the Incarnate Word Nutrition Program is to prepare professionals committed to providing nutrition and dietetic services to improve the health and well-being of individuals and groups. The program emphasizes the importance of scientific and evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making, and understanding of social justice issues including regional through global ecological dimensions of food and nutrition.

The Dietetic Internship prepares competent, entry-level registered dietitians to meet the regional needs of individuals and groups while interacting with clients and colleagues with professionalism and respect for individual human dignity.

Program Goals and Costs

Program Goals and Objectives

The goals and accompanying objectives for the University of the Incarnate Word Dietetic Internship are as follow. ACEND requires a statement be made that program outcomes data are available upon request.

Goal 1: The dietetic internship will prepare innovative, competent, entry-level dietitians committed to the advancement of the profession of dietetics.

Objectives for Goal 1:

  1. Over a period of five years, at least 80% of the full-time dietetic interns will complete all DI requirements within 12 months (150% of program length).
  2. Over a period of five years, of graduates who seek employment, at least 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  3. Over a period of five years, at least 70% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  4. Over a period of five years, the program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  5. Over a period of five years, 70% of graduates will receive a rating of “Satisfactory” or better in their demonstration of Professionalism as evaluated by their employers.
  6. Over a period of five years, 50% of graduates will report participation in professional organizations related to dietetics.
  7. Over a period of five years, 50% of graduates will report participation in community service activities.

Goal 2: The dietetic internship will increase the supply of registered dietitians prepared to meet the nutritional needs of South Texas.

Objectives for Goal 2:

  1. Over a period of five years, at least 30% of students matched to the program will be able to conduct a diet instruction in conversational Spanish.
  2. Over a period of five years, 70% of DI students will demonstrate knowledge of nutrition issues in South Texas as evaluated by preceptors.
  3. Over a period of five years, 80% of DI graduates will demonstrate knowledge of nutrition issues in South Texas as evaluated by employers.
  4. Over a period of five years, 50% of DI graduates will be employed in their first dietetics-related job in South Texas.

Program Costs

For more complete information about the University of the Incarnate Word's costs, see the Tuition and Fees below. The listed costs related to the UIW Dietetic Internship are for the 2022-2023 academic year:

  • Tuition: $1,050 (per hour; enrollment in 10 total hours is required)
  • University Student Fees: $1,960
  • Parking Fees: $100
  • Room and Board: $13,122 (on-campus, cost for year)
  • Textbooks and Equipment: The University of the Incarnate Word has elected to roll the costs of textbooks and lab equipment/supplies into the tuition beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year
  • Student Health Insurance: $5,270
  • Professional Memberships: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - $58 (Student member)
  • Student Disclosure and Release Fee: $59 (Background Profile)

Students enrolled as degree-seeking students in the UIW Dietetic Internship are eligible for a financial assistance, including scholarships and graduate student loans. The FAFSA is available on-line. In Texas, priority for financial assistance is given to those submitting completed forms prior to January 15 of the year preceding enrollment. For expediency in processing, the application should be completed and submitted to the Office of Financial Aid at the same time the student's acceptance of appointment letter is sent to the Dietetic Internship Director.

For further information and applications for financial aid contact the Office of Financial Aid at (210) 829-6008 or (800) 749-WORD. While students are enrolled in the dietetic internship, they are eligible for student loan deferment.