2019-2020 Dietetic Interns
DDIP
The Distance Dietetic Internship Program (DDIP) at Oakwood University is a post-baccalaureate Distance Learning Certificate program.
The DDIP requires 1000 hours of Supervised Practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy, Food Service Management, and Community Nutrition.
Interns who complete the Dietetic Internship Distance Certificate Program will be proficient in the following Student Learning Outcomes:
- Use their knowledge of Nutrition and Dietetics to serve the community
- Practice Clinical Counseling Skills in Dietetics
- Use nutrition concepts in health promotion and disease prevention
- Practice the principles of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in an acute care setting
- Demonstrate a Christ-centered SDA worldview in Food and Nutrition-related activities
DDIP Courses:
- ND 495 – 01 Fall 2021- 2022 Dietetic Internship I
- ND 496 – 01 Spring 2021 – 2022 Dietetic Internship II
Mission
The Oakwood University Distance Dietetic Internship Program (DDIP) prepares Dietetic practitioners to be entry level registered dietitian/nutritionists to serve in the fields of Dietetics and Nutrition. This provides didactic and experiential opportunities which enable interns to develop skills, demonstrate professionalism, apply knowledge, and work effectively to improve the quality of nutrition for the people they serve. This program prepares individuals to serve God and man and integrate faith and learning.
PROGRAM GOAL 1: Prepares interns how to become competent entry-level dietitians
Program objectives
- At least 80% of interns enrolled in the DI program m will complete all program requirements within 15 months. (150% of the time planned for completion).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for the dietitians/nutritionist within 12 months of program completion.
- 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%
- Eighty-percent of employers will rate graduates as “3” or greater on a five-point Likert scale as being entry-level prepared.
- At least 80% of part-time interns will complete program requirements within 30 months. (150% of planned program length).
PROGRAM GOAL 2: Program prepares competent dietetic practitioners how to use their knowledge of nutrition in serving diverse populations of the community.
Program Objectives:
- At least 50% of interns will be male or ethnically diverse.
- 80% of the program graduates will confirm the adequacy of program preparation to share knowledge of nutrition and dietetics, to the community.
See Program Policies and Procedures for the following information: Program admission requirements. Academic calendar and rotations. Guidance for interns to find supervised practice sites, and the program’s role and responsibility to help interns secure practice sites.
Contact Us
Program Director: Althea Joseph, MS, RDN, LD
Email: ajoseph@oakwood.edu
Phone: 256-726-7236
Administrative Coordinators:
Juliana Draper, RDN, LDN, CDCES
Office Manager: MaYa Thornton
Phone: 256-726-7229
General inquiries: ddip@oakwood.edu
Program Overview
The Distance Dietetic Internship Program accepts thirty-five interns per year to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of Supervised Dietetic Practice within a ten-month period.
Interns are required to locate their own preferred Supervised Practice sites and preceptors. However, the program does provide some assistance in obtaining sites and preceptors as needed. Preceptors are mostly Registered Dietitians, and they complete an affiliation agreement with Oakwood University. Upon admission, interns will be given access to former Oakwood University preceptors and affiliation sites in their chosen demographic area. These sites provide experience at various hospitals, food service institutions, long-term care facilities, public health and wellness facilities, and other facilities. Then interns can begin rotations after the first week of orientation.
Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives
The Oakwood University (OU) DDIP trains dietetic practitioners, to serve in the fields of dietetics and nutrition. It provides didactic and experiential opportunities which enable interns to develop skills, demonstrate professionalism, apply knowledge, and work effectively to improve the quality of nutrition for the people they serve. The program integrates faith and learning, preparing individuals to serve God and man.
Goal #1 – To assist graduates in completing the internship program in a timely manner by providing needed support, guidance, and resources.
- At least 80% of full-time interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of the planned program length).
- At least 80% of part-time interns will complete program requirements within 30 months. (150% of planned program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Goal #2 –To prepare graduates with entry-professional level dietitian skills and knowledge to improve the nutritional status and health of the diverse communities they serve.
- At least 50% of interns will be ethnically diverse or male.
- At least 80% of the program graduates will rate the adequacy of program preparation “3” or greater on a 5-point Likert scale.
- At least 80% percent of employers will rate graduates “3” or greater on a 5-point Likert scale as being entry-level prepared.
Program Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements: Interns need to have a reliable internet connection; a computer with app capabilities, carrier, and microphone; phone access, either cell or landline; and access to a printer and scanner.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE
Oakwood University
Post baccalaureate certificate in Dietetic Internship Program
Program Length: 10 months
Students graduating on time
N/A* of Title IV students (those college students with Federal Subsidy as in financial aid) complete the program within 10 months.
*Fewer than 10 students enrolled in this program. This number has been withheld to preserve the confidentiality of students.
Program Costs*
$12,000 for tuition and fees
$500 for books and supplies
*The amounts shown in LINK includes costs for the entire program, assuming normal time to completion.
Note that this information is subject to change
Students Borrowing Money
The typical intern is eligible to receive Federal Student aid (Student Loans) to assist them with funding or an intern can pay their bill in the form of money order, cashier check, credit/debit card or cash.
The agreement, upon entering the program is to pay the full tuition, however it can be divided with payment made before each semester within the 10-month period, or payment arrangements can be made with student accounts or the cashiers office.
Graduates who became employed
Mostly are employed as Dietitians, Nutritionists and Dietetic Technicians in the following fields: (use link to see a detailed summary of jobs) https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1031.00
Licensure Requirement
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree* granted by a USDE recognized institution (or foreign equivalent)
- Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
- Completion of an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI).
*Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement will be a graduate degree granted by a USDE recognized institution (or foreign equivalent). For more information: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree
Oakwood Distance Dietetic Internship Program qualifies interns to sit for licensure exam in all states, however some states do not require it. https://www.nutritioned.org/state-requirements/ ,https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure
5 Steps to Become an RDN
The pathway to become an RDN via a dietetic internship program includes:
- Completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university (or a foreign equivalent) **
- Completion of Dietetic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Educationin Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- Acceptance into and completion of an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship Program such as the Oakwood University DDIP
- Passage of the credentialing exam to become an RDN
- Obtaining licensure according to State requirements
Testimonials
I wanted to reach out to update you all on our (almost) family of 5, and thank everyone at Oakwood for the support they showed us through this whole process. The prospect of doing a distance program did not seem easy and setting up the rotations was not the easiest; however, I know this was God’s path and it led me to be able to do everything I needed to do to become an RD. Thank you all and God bless!-Deirdre Timm, RDN and co.
Thank you for all the extra time you took to go over questions. I appreciate your support. Krista Baehler
I am happy to inform you all, that I passed my RD exam yesterday! Thank you so much for all your guidance, support, and prayers. With gratitude. Briana Harper MS, RD.
“Words could never express how honored I was to be select into the Dietetic Internship Distance Certificate Program at Oakwood University, in Huntsville, Alabama. It was everything I dreamed of and hoped for, in a Dietetic Internship. The moment I stepped onto the oakwood University campus; I knew it was the right place for me. It has an organized initiative present to empower its students to make healthy choices; it is a real lifestyle approach.” -ShLanda Burton, North Carolina.
I passed my (RD) exam! I am so thrilled! I want to thank you all again for your support, flexibility, and encouragement during the internship. Since my company was paying for me to do this, I had to complete it on their terms – the flexibility you provided was outstanding, and I couldn’t recommend your program enough. – Michaela Rowland, NY
Program Completion Requirements
- Attend the mandatory one-week orientation on the campus of Oakwood University or virtually during the pandemic.
- The DDIP requires completion of 1000 practice hours. No more than 300 hours of these hours may be completed as alternate practice hours.
- Pass program exam by at least 75%.
- Submission of an E-Portfolio.
- Tuition and fees paid in full.
- Prior learning experience can be applied towards supervised hours. See Program Policies and Procedures tab for more information.
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Pathway Options
- FULL TIME: 10 months
- PART TIME: 20 months
Program Cost
- Financial information can also be located in the Dietetic Internship Handbook.
- Additional information contact: Cashier 256-726-8429, Automated System 256-726-7791, Financial Aid 256-726-7210
- Download Fee Chart
Program Policies & Procedures
DI Preceptor INFORMATION
DI Preceptor Handbook 2022 – 2023
DI_Preceptor_Training_2022-2023
Please note this statement in the back of the Preceptor Handbook: ACEND provides training materials on strategies to recognize and monitor biases and reduce microagressions and discrimination. Access those resources here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/about-acend/diversity-equity-and- inclusion