As member of the health care team, the dietitian is directly responsible for the nutritional care of individuals and groups. This care includes the application of the science and art of human nutrition in helping people select and obtain food for the primary purpose of nourishing their bodies in health or disease throughout the life cycle. Dietitians work in a variety of employment settings including health care, business and industry, public health education, research, and private practice.
The Dietetic Internship Program (DIP) of the School of Health Professions is a post-baccalaureate program that prepares specialists in nutrition and dietetics. It is an eleven-month program providing learning opportunities geared to integrating previously acquired knowledge, obtain new knowledge, build resources for personal and professional growth, and develop skills in the best procedures for carrying out nutrition and dietetic services with emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy. It provides the student with opportunities to apply and integrate the scientific knowledge of nutrition and foods in the nutrition-medical treatment of individuals and groups.
Program’s Mission, Goals and Outcomes
Mission
The Dietetic Internship Program mission is to prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist able to meet different professional challenges and changes in the health care delivery system. To meet these challenges, the academic activities, go beyond the traditional professional skills by developing entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist with human sensibility, ethical and moral values and the holistic view of the human being. The academic activities develop in the dietetic interns critical thinking skills that lead them to analyze situations, and make responsible decisions.
Goals and Objectives
The Medical Sciences Campus, the School of Health Professions and the Dietetic Internship Program (DIP) mission and goals serve as the basis for the development and revision of the DIP goals. The goals and objectives were revised during summer 2022. The goals and objectives are in accordance with the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Programs. The goals and objetives are:
Program Goal 1
Graduates will be competent as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, who are able to promote and maintain the best health conditions for the community, as members of the interprofessional team.
Objectives:
- At least 80% percent of program interns complete program requirements within 16.5 months. (150% of the program length of 11 months).
- At least 85% percent of the graduates judge that the Program prepares professionals, for lifelong learning, in dietetics who will promote and maintain the best health conditions for the community as member of the interprofessional team.
- At least 85% of the program graduates are satisfied with the clinical experiences received throughout the Internship.
Program Goal 2
Graduates will be competent with critical thinking, and leadership in foodservice systems management and community dietetics, with specialized knowledge and competencies in Medical Nutrition Therapy.
Objectives:
- Of graduates who seek employment, 80% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within twelve (12) months of graduation.
- At least, 70% percent 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 first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least, 80% percent of employers assessed will judge graduates as competent entry-level licensed dietitian nutritionist committed to ethical practices.
- At least 85% of the graduates believe that the Program provides supervised learning experiences geared to develop knowledge and skills in foodservice systems management and community dietetics, with emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy.
The DIP has a Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) concentration area. The MNT goals are:
MNT1 Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise the scientific literature related to current MNT practice for chosen complex medical conditions.
MNT2 Perform Nutrition Care Process of patients/clients with complex medical conditions.
MNT3 Appraise enteral and parenteral regimens for complex medical conditions based on nutritional assessment.
MNT4 Apply communication skills in the counseling process, to integrate the nutritional needs of patients/clients with complex medical conditions.
Program Outcomes
The DIP identified appropriate measures for ongoing assessment of each of the program’s goals. The qualitative and/or quantitative outcome data obtained from internal and external stakeholders is gathered and analyzed in a timely fashion. Some of the graduate performance measures include: program completion, graduate employment, RD pass rate, graduate satisfaction, participation in community services, research activities and commitment to lifelong learning.
Specifically, graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the registered dietitian and for the PR licensure exam. Outcome data demonstrate graduates have a high passage rate, at least 90%, on the PR licensure exam, passage of which is required to practice in Puerto Rico as a professional in nutrition and dietetics. The program pass rate of the RD exam is currently less than 80% for the first takers.
*DIP outcome data are available upon request*
Steps to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Include:
- Completing Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
- Completing an ACEND accredited supervised practice program called a Dietetic Internship (DI) (consisting of a minimum of 1000 hours).
- Passing a national examination administered by Pearson Vue under the guidance of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR has mandated that beginning January 1, 2024, a minimum of a graduate degree will be required to sit for the RDN Exam. In addition, RDNs must complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration (75 hours/5 years) and many states require that RDNs be licensed or certified.
New Graduate Degree Requirement Effective January 1, 2024
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is the credentialing agency responsible for administering the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam. Effective January 1, 2024, the 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 University of Puerto Rico are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. Nevertheless, effective January 1, 2024 candidates must complete a graduate degree to be eligible to apply for the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure (https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap).
To practice the profession in Puerto Rico, it is necessary to obtain the RDN exam or the LND local examination and become an active member of the College of Nutritionists and Dietitians of the Puerto Rico. Since 2016, candidates who present evidence they approved the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Examination are exempt from taking the local LND examination and may request a license in Puerto Rico.
Read more information about educational pathways to become a RDN: https://www.cdrnet.org/RDN
Program Cost
Tuition, fees and other charges applicable to the Program are described in the Medical Sciences Catalog. The expenses related to tuition and fees can be found at following Internet address http://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/decanatoestudiantes/oficina-de-admisiones in the webpage at the Medical Sciences Campus.
Dietetic Interns are registered at a post-baccalaureate program. Interns will pay a rate of $2,500.00 approximately per year. * This amount excludes other fees as: construction, and graduation fee. Students without medical insurance must additionally pay approximately $1,100.00 annually to the institution to subscribe to the student’s health plan. Upon acceptance, the dietetic interns must pay a reservation fee which is deducted from the tuition cost on registration day.
Dietetic Interns expenses during the internship, for PR residents are estimated to be approximately $7,000.00 (Personal, traveling and housing expenses required for rotation sites outside metropolitan area are not included). For further information:
Admission Requirements
- Masters’ degree in any discipline from a US regionally accredited college or university.
- A minimum general GPA of 3.0 in the master’s degree.
- A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited DPD program.
- Bachelor’s degree from a US regionally accredited college or university.
- A minimum general GPA of 3.0 in the bachelor’s degree. A minimum specific GPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate nutrition concentration courses.
- The applicant must have complete proficiency of the Spanish language, and knowledge and comprehension of the English language.
- An interview with the Admission Selection Committee of the Dietetic Internship Program.
Deadline to submit transcripts and verification statement: First week of August of the application year.
Centralized Application: DICAS
The University of Puerto Rico Dietetic Internship Program participates in the on-line centralized internship application, referred to as DICAS.
DICAS can be accessed through the following link: https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/
- Complete the Standard Program Application.
- Send Official Transcripts to DICAS at: DICAS Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown, MA 02471.
- Upload a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent.
- Pay DICAS Fees.
The following documents must be submitted to the Medical Sciences Campus:
*Application form to the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico:
Solicitud Uniforme Para Realizar Estudios en el Recinto de Ciencias Médicas
These forms may be obtained from:
Admissions Office
Deanship of Students
Medical Sciences Campus
PO Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
Telephones: Area Code (787) 758-2525 Ext.5228, or
directly from the web site:
*Official credit transcripts of all the universities in which the applicant has studied. The transcripts must include the current academic years first semester grades.
Admissions Office
c/o Dietetic Internship Program
Deanship of Students
Medical Sciences Campus
PO Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
*An original DPD-Verification Statement and the Academic Requirements of a dietetics didactic program must be sent to the Dietetic Internship Program.
Dietetic Internship Program
School of Health Professions
Medical Sciences Campus
PO Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
*A DPD-Verification Statement and the Academic Requirements of a dietetics didactic program must be sent to the Dietetic Internship Program.
- All documents must be submitted in original.
IMPORTANT:
Please review the below information closely as application procedures have changed as of July 1, 2024.
1. Prospective interns may begin submitting applications starting August 5th until January 15. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance decision no later than March 1st.
| Application Important Dates | |||
| DIP Application Deadline | Notification Deadline | *Decision Deadline | |
| January 15 | no later than March 1st | March 15th |
*The applicants have until March 15th to accept or reject the offer. They can send their decision as soon as they receive an offer, but they have until March 15th to submit their answer to the program.
2. January 15 is the deadline to submit completed application; Solicitud Uniforme Para Realizar Estudios en el Recinto de Ciencias Médicas.
3. Applicants are encouraged to process the application, the transcripts and the required documents prior to the last day of the first semester of the current academic year.
4. There is a non-refundable fee to be submitted with the application.
5. Interview sessions for applicants will be notified by E-mail.
6. Orientation sessions for accepted candidates will be notified by letter.
Program Schedule
The Dietetic Internship Program is an eleven (11) months program (44 weeks). Starting during the first week of August and ending in June. It provides the dietetic intern with supervised practice experiences suitable for developing skills in the best procedures for carrying out nutrition and dietetic services.
- Introductory Course (4 weeks)
- RDN Exam Practice Week (2 weeks)
- Supervised Practice Experiences (38 weeks)
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- General
- Concentration
- Food Service System Management
- Community Dietetics
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
Supervised Practice Experiences
The Dietetic Internship Program has scheduled a rotation of thirty-eight (38) weeks of practice experiences at various institutions within and outside the Puerto Rico Medical Center where the Program is located.
An additional week dedicated to vacation, comprise the forty-five weeks’ rotation schedule of the Program.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, students must complete the Dietetic Internship Introductory Course and approve all clinical experiences as specified by the Program. The information is readily available in the Dietetic Internship Manual.
- Dietetic interns are expected to make systematic progress toward completion of their non-degree certificate. This academic progress includes approval of all rotations with at least 80% percent.
- The Program’s Faculty and preceptors are responsible for the evaluation of the dietetic intern’s performance at the supervised practice. Specific strategies for the summative and formative evaluation of the dietetic intern’s daily performance have been identified.
- The Faculty has established that in order to be eligible for graduation the dietetic intern must comply with all the Program’s requirements. These take into account the Dietetic Internship Introductory Course, the class program activities, and all clinical experiences including the Visual Veggies test and the eatrightPREP for the RDN Exam. All program requirements must be approved with a minimum score of 80%.
- The DIP is expected to be completed in 11 months. In order to comply with the institutional policies and procedures, the DIP graduation requirements must be completed within the established maximum time limit-24 months.
Financial Aids Available
The Financial Aids Office is located at the Deanship of Student Affairs in the second floor of the building of the School of Pharmacy of the Medical Sciences Campus. The working hours of this office are 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Financial aid programs available for graduate students at the Medical Sciences Campus. For further information, visit: http://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/decanatoestudiantes/asistencia-economica/
Accreditation
The Dietetic Internship Program of the School of Health Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietitics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Accreditation information can be found at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/dietetic-internships.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
Program Faculty
Dr. Alicia Díaz Boulon
Program Director
Dr. Luz Alba Ruiz Sánchez
Practice Coordinator
Physical Address
Medical Center Complex
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
School of Health Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, 6th floor, Office # 616
Further Information
For additional information please contact the School of Health Professions – Office of Students Affairs 787-758-2525 ext. 4000 or 4001, SHP web page http://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/eps or alicia.diaz1@upr.edu Dietetic Internship Program Director 787-758-2525 ext. 4503/04
The information provided is effective upon publication date. It is the students responsibility to be fully acquainted with the current admission requirements before submitting the application. Students admitted must meet all of the admission requirements before proceeding with registration.
Medical Sciences Campus Non-discriminatory Policy
The Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any University employee or candidate because of sex, color, place of birth, age, physical or mental handicap, origin or social condition, political or religious beliefs.
(Please click here to download the Dietetic Internship Manual in PDF format)
Revised: August 2023