Frequently Asked Questions About a Registered Dietitian

Where can I obtain more information about the supervised practice program?
The Directory of Dietetic Programs issued each year lists all of the AP4 Programs, Accredited Dietetic Internships, and Coordinated Programs currently approved or accredited by ADA. Each listing provides the name and address of the Program Director so that you can write or Email for more information. A copy of the Directory is available in 2100F Anthony Hall or you may order your own copy. Check in 2100F Anthony for additional information.

The Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice Experience Programs is a valuable tool that describes many of the Supervised Practice Experience Programs that are available for application. The Guide provides detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions by students. Students may obtain a copy of the Guide order form in 2100 Anthony. There is a copy available in the Reference Room 2100F Anthony Hall.

How much does a supervised practice program cost?
Costs vary widely, so a student should check with each program about required expenses. All accredited internships and those AP4's that are associated with regionally accredited university graduate programs qualify for government-sponsored loan programs. Students should check the "Directory of Dietetic Programs" located in 2100F Anthony Hall to see if financial aid is available at a specific Dietetic Internship or AP4 Program. Scholarship opportunities are often available to help defray the costs of the supervised practice experience. 

Do not rule out entering an internship or AP4 program solely because of the cost; often the higher salary received by an RD compared to only a degree in Dietetics justifies the financial sacrifice needed to get this experience.

What is the next step after completion of a supervised practice experience to meet requirements to become a Registered Dietitian?
One must apply to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians. The Registration Exam is now computer based. Your Internship Director will provide you with information about the exam process. Upon successful completion of the exam, you are a Registered Dietitian, RD.

What is a Licensed Dietitian?
Some states require that dietitians be licensed/Certified/Registered by a State Examining Board. In many states the requirements for licensure are identical to those for Dietetic Registration. After passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians, one would apply to the State Examining Board for licensure, if the state has this requirement, and pay the prescribed fee. Michigan does not currently license/register dietitians.

How can students prepare their credentials to be competitive for a Dietetic Internship or AP4 appointment?
Although a student has no guarantee of receiving a Dietetic Internship or AP4 appointment, there are several areas that one can work on throughout the undergraduate years to be more competitive for an appointment. Approximately 80% of the Michigan State University students that apply for a Dietetic Internship or AP4 receive an appointment. Some students, especially those with limited dietetic-related work experience, low grades or who apply to fewer than four programs, may have to reapply several times to Dietetic Internships/AP4 Programs before receiving an appointment.

CRITERIA THAT MAY HELP MAKE YOU COMPETITIVE FOR A DIETETIC INTERNSHIP OR AP4 APPOINTMENT
Grades: Approximately a 3.0 GPA or better.
Work Experience: Paid and/or volunteer. Hospital dietary is considered the best...other dietary related experiences such as college foodservice, camp foodservice, nursing home foodservice, community nutrition programs such as WIC and Expanded Nutrition are considered very good. Many other types of work experience can be very valuable.
Extra-curricular Activities: College/University clubs, sports, community service projects.
Letters of Recommendation: Required from several of your professors and possibly a work supervisor.

Usually during spring semester a group of the seniors in dietetics present "Dietetic Internship Night". It is designed to alert Dietetic majors of the internship/AP4 process and what they can do as freshmen, sophomores and juniors to be competitive for an appointment.

How do students get help with the Dietetic Internship/AP4 application process?
The Department offers a series of meetings during fall term for all students who plan to apply for a Dietetic Internship or AP4 appointment. Oftentimes juniors attend the meeting to begin to learn about the process. Attendance is strongly encouraged. A guidebook has been prepared for seniors that describes the application process and provides examples of documents that will be required. Also remember that Dietetic Internship/AP4 application materials are available in 2100F Anthony Hall for your perusal. Several programs have Websites for their programs.

What do you do if you do not receive a Dietetic Internship/AP4 appointment?
When students submit an application to a Dietetic Internship/AP4 program, they need to realize that the selection process is no reflection on them personally. One is competing for an appointment but does not know against whom they are competing. In essence, information provided on numerous documents is the student's means of competition.

If a student does not receive an appointment, after a very short initial disappointment phase, the student should begin to re-evaluate his/her credentials, identifying strengths and weaknesses (of which we all have) and begin to think about ways to better highlight strengths and to improve on areas that need strengthening.

Students should contact the Program Director, Stella Cash, immediately so that she can suggest alternatives and can help the student think through the situation. The faculty in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, especially the Dietetic Advisers, are interested in and concerned about students and can be very helpful in providing support.

  • Evaluate how you can improve your qualifications

  • Look at additional dietetic internship/AP4 programs

  • Reapply

  • Obtain a job in a dietary related area


Don't give up...."There is life after the Dietetic Internship/AP4 process" and there are alternatives. Persistent qualified applicants nearly always find placement.