WIC Dietetic Internship Program
Dietetic Internship
Mission
To improve the health outcomes of Georgians through the promotion of quality nutrition care practice by assisting qualified employees of the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children to become Registered Dietitians competent to practice at entry level.
Program Concentration
The program concentration for the Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Dietetic Internship is Community Nutrition/Public Health. The internship is comprised of a minimum of 1,000 supervised practice hours in community nutrition, public health research, life cycle, health promotion, medical nutrition therapy, and food service.
Announcements
Application Deadline for the 2023-2024 Class
March 31, 2023
Important Internship Links
Program Description
Dietetic Internship Program Postcard
The Dietetic Internship Program provides an opportunity for employees of the Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Program and our contracted WIC agency at Grady Hospital who have met the admission requirements for Registered Dietitian (RD) eligibility, to complete the Core Competencies for Dietitians (CD) through supervised practices.
Emphasis is placed on the development of competence in providing nutrition services as integral parts of health programs, especially public health programs. Individualized study and program flexibility provide interns the opportunity to meet both individual needs as well as achieve their professional development goals. Self-assessment tools and faculty evaluations are used to improve practice and professional development. Interns will establish a base for lifelong self-development to improve knowledge and skills.
The Dietetic Internship Program’s primary goal is to achieve improved health outcomes for Georgians through the promotion of quality nutrition care practice. This will be accomplished by workforce development aimed at increasing the number of Registered and Licensed Dietitians of currently employed nutritionists.
The staff of the Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Program, Program Operations, and Nutrition Office, and participating Health Districts are committed to assisting those interns/employees who wish to overcome financial, geographical, or personal barriers in order to become registered through the Commission of Dietetic Registration. Interns should be released from employment responsibilities for a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours per week. This time will allow interns to participate in planned program experiences to achieve competencies in dietetics.
Interns who successfully complete the Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Dietetic Internship and obtain registration are encouraged to serve as mentors and preceptors for future Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Dietetic Interns.
The Georgia Department of Public Health WIC Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312)889-0040 ext. 5400.
CDR Requirements
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). In order 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 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at the Georgia Department of Public Health are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements visit https://www.cdrnet.org/licensure.
For more information about educational pathways to becoming an RDN click here.
Contact Information
Internship Director
Rhonda T. Knight, MPH, RD, LD
(404) 463-0742
[email protected]
Page last updated 3/22/23