1. Career Pathways for Nutrition & Dietetics Graduates
Nutrition and Dietetics
Didactic Program Director
Joanne Christaldi, PhD, RDN
HSC 222B

2. Six Different Paths/Options
NDTR Exam
Supervised practice (dietetic internship or DI)
Graduate school + Supervised practice
Graduate school
Other graduate school or professional school
Job

3. NDTR Exam

4. NDTR Exam Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered
Completion of a Baccalaureate Degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university and completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
Paperwork for the exam is processed through the DPD director upon completion of the program

5. Computer Based Exam Domain Topics % of Exam I
Nutrition Science and Care for Individuals & Groups
Principles of Basic and Normal Nutrition
Screening and Assessment
Planning and Intervention
Monitoring and Evaluation
44% II
Food Science and Food Service
Menu Development
Procurement and Supply Management
Food Production, Distribution, and Service
Sanitation, Safety, Facility and Equipment
24%
III
Management of Food and Nutrition Services
Human Resources
Finance and Materials
Marketing Products and Services
Management Principles and Functions
Quality Processes and Research
32%

6. Paperwork and Next Steps
Graduating seniors will be submitting information to the DPD director during spring semester
Once all paperwork has been received, applications will be processed
First group will most likely be submitted in June
Students MUST regularly check the non-WCU address for communication from CDR
Check the CDR website for study-guide and FAQ

7. Supervised Practice Information

8. Supervised practice/internship
Today
BS in nutrition
Supervised practice/internship
Take RD exam

9. Supervised practice/ internship & Master’s Degree
January 2024
BS in nutrition
Supervised practice/ internship & Master’s Degree
Take RD exam

10. Supervised Practice Characteristics
(all types)
ACEND accredited
Full or
Part-time
Rotations:
Clinical
Food service
Community
9-12 months (1200 hours)
Program Fee

11. Stand Alone Supervised Practice
1200 hours then sit for the RD exam
No financial aid
Private loan possible
No graduate school needed
248 in US

12. Supervised practice plus graduate school
Coordinated Program
Internship & grad classes
You must finish the graduate degree
Certificate program
Do not need to complete grad degree
Financial aid option (affiliated with university)
University of Pittsburgh
Immaculata University

13. Distance Ed internship Student finds preceptors
Student finds own experiences (sites)
Example:
University of Delaware

14. Supervised practice (SP)
Stand alone
Coordinated
Certificate
Distance Ed
Tips
Do your homework!
Never assume financial aid or deferment of loans
Inquire of specific SP
ANDF Scholarships & PANDF Scholarships

15. Be sure to Read WCU NTD Internship Guide Can be found on Nutrition Dept. Website
Includes
5 step application process outlined (in detail) on pages 10-13
Tons of other relevant information
A great resource for all career pathways

16. The Process “The Internship”

17. Procedures for Applying to SPs
(help site)
ACEND website (
Application Guide to Supervised Practice
Start with10-20 possibilities
Obtain application checklists ASAP
If required or preferred, apply to take GRE’s ( and click on tests and pick GRE, general test; Kaplan or Princeton Review to study)

18. Choosing a Supervised Practice
Geographic area
Pick SP’s strategically by looking at your credentials and those SPs that are applied to less often (less competitive)
Look for high ratios (In Applicant Guide for Supervised Practice look for high ratios of positions to # of applications (e.g., 10 positions and 30 applications rather than 2 positions and 100 applications
Length of Program
Minimum 1200 hours
Part-time or Full-time

19. More Things to Consider
Financials/Costs
Know all expenses
Some have stipends (more competitive)
Education institutions with tuition (financial aid)
Corporate-sponsored/private (no financial aid)
Low-interest loans (if explain to bank)
Grad assistantships (if available) may offset costs
Costs of living (transportation, food, books, clothes, etc.)

20. How Many Do I Apply To? Individual decision
4-5 programs (look at your personal situation)
Include at least one non-competitive program or distance internship
Do not list those you will not accept
Fee per internship on DICAS
Application fee per internship
What is your application budget?

21. Completing the DICAS Application
Register on DICAS website (
Request declaration of intent from the DPD program director
Request transcripts
Obtain WCU DPD course list from the DPD program director
Request references
Write an impeccable personal statement (one for each)
Be sure to complete all application components

22. The Process “Computer Matching”

23. Matching Procedures D&D Digital (www.dnddigital.com)
Follow instructions carefully
Two match dates
April (February Deadline)
November (September Deadline)
Check for earlier deadlines with each internship
Each internship has their own requirements
Pay attention to detail
Notification day
Go to D&D digital to check
Instruction will be provided
24 hours to accept
After match procedures
Will be provided by D&D Digital and the program director

24. Criteria for Acceptance
GPA > 3.3
Work experience (nutrition & non-nutrition related)
Volunteer experience
(nutrition & non-nutrition related)
Science grades
DPD GPA
Impeccable personal statement
Interview skills

25. Graduate School + SP Financial Aid Graduate application Procedures
Same as stand alone SP
GREs might be required
Check to see if deadlines are different from SP computer matching
Financial Aid
Available with university affiliation
Check early
Graduate application
Separate from DICAS & DD Digital
You must look at each program for their requirements
Graduate assistantships
Academic requirements
GPA <3.3
Grad school increases your chances for acceptance to SP

26. What About Professional Schools?
Some WCU have gone to nursing, medical, pharmacy, public health, health administration, physician assistant, or physical therapy school
Research programs that you are interested. They will all have their own requirements
You may have to take additional courses before you apply
Send for materials, discover entrance requirements, and follow app procedures

27. Choosing Employment

28. What can your degree do for you?
With BS in Nutrition and Dietetics qualified to work in a number of areas
Health education, foodservice, nutrition education, community nutrition (W.I.C.), health administration, pharmaceuticals, health insurance, dietetic technician

29. Job Interviewing Have resume with you Role play (2 copies) Relax
Research the company or institution
Write out five minute overview of who you are
Have prepared questions
Role play
Relax
Be on time
Be polite
Dress professionally
Smile and give confident handshake
Thank interviewer

30. Job Interviewing (cont.)
Listen well
Let the interviewer lead
Don’t answer too quickly
Prepare examples of your work
Hypothetical problems
Give more strengths than weaknesses
Say, “I don’t know.”
Have notebook and pen to take notes
Nice briefcase or bag
Deep breathing and visualization

31. Final Advice Seek help during the process
Be confident that you have a degree and experiences of great worth
Have confidence in your research skills
Take it one step at a time
Don’t set up as success or failure
See obstacles as opportunities

32. Job Websites www.nutritionjobs.com www.jobsindietetics.com
(employment agency)
(lots of job info)

33. So what do you do now? Look at the WCU Nutrition Department website
Alternate career paths
Internship guide
Start looking for potential internships/grad schools (
Start thinking about and reflecting on what you want to do
Make a list of all nutrition-related volunteer and work experiences - keep a running list of place, contact person, contact info, dates you were there and what you did there