About Us
Since its inception in 1988, the Dietetic Internship Program has provided training in the areas of clinical nutrition, sales & marketing, research and public health/community nutrition. The 10-month internship experience provides a unique and broad spectrum of opportunities to fulfill the core competencies for dietetic interns, as established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The program emphasizes Clinical Nutrition, and provides extensive training in identifying, documenting, and treating malnutrition, as well as rotations focusing in the areas of ICU, nutrition support, pediatrics, intestinal rehabilitation and transplant, and nutrition-focused physical assessment. Recognizing that individuals have different interests and priorities; the program is structured to allow interns several choices for specialty experiences.
Introductory rotations allow interns to develop their skills and achieve comfort in practice at a large hospital facility. As the interns’ skills and knowledge increase, there is a simultaneous growth in their level of responsibility, autonomy and complexity of experiences.
Accreditation
The Dietetic Internship Program is fully accredited through June 30th, 2026, by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Recognition by USDE affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition/dietetics education programs.
ACEND may be contacted at:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Suite 2190
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312.899.0040, ext 5400
www.eatrightpro.org/acend
Mission & goals
The mission of the Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship is to create entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who will become future leaders in the nutrition profession. Critical thinking, collaboration and decision-making are skills that the interns will be required to practice and refine throughout the program. The intention of our program is to foster future cutting-edge, advanced practice dietitians who will meet the needs of their clients and provide the best care through innovative skills and research-based practice.
Interns will complete clinical rotations with the Center for Human Nutrition, where the mission is to provide the highest quality nutrition care through leadership in clinical practice, education and research. The vision in the Center for Human Nutrition is the best place for nutrition care world-wide. These statements reflect the greater Cleveland Clinic mission – to provide better care of the sick, investigation into their problems, and further education of those who serve. As leaders in the dietetics’ profession, graduates will meet the needs of their clients and provide superior care, applying advanced clinical skills and research-based practice.
Program outcomes related to our goals listed below are available upon request by contacting DIProgram@ccf.org.
Dietetic Internship Program goals and objectives
Program goals:
- The program will prepare graduates to transition from academic programs through successful completion of the internship, to attaining entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist credentialed. status, and gaining employment in the dietetics field.
- The program will foster internship graduates’ professional growth and provide opportunities to acquire and demonstrate skills to become future leaders of the dietetics profession.
Program objectives:
- At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of planned program length).
- At least 90 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%.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 100% of graduates’ employers report that knowledge level and skill competency is satisfactory or better overall for entry-level dietetics-related work.
- 100% of graduates self-report overall scores of at least satisfactory regarding internship preparedness in dietetic-related professional skills and competencies.
- 90% of graduates report leadership responsibilities in professional areas within five years of graduation.
For any additional information or questions about the Dietetic Internship Program, please contact:
Elizabeth Friedel, MS, RD, LD, CNSC
Program Director: Dietetic Internship Program
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue/M17
Cleveland, OH 44195
216.444.6487
DIProgram@ccf.org
Admissions
In addition to program-specific requirements and procedures, applicants are encouraged to review requirements and disclosures outlined on the School of Health Professions’ Admissions & Enrollment page.
School of Health Professions catalog
Additional information can be found in the School Catalog, including school-wide policies and procedures, program-specific information, and course descriptions.
International students
International students wishing to apply must follow procedures set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for international students. Please refer to the ACEND website, and their "International Fact Sheet" for additional information.
Admissions process
The Dietetic Internship Program participates in the online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services process, DICAS.
Candidates must complete all application materials in the DICAS platform.
In addition to the standard application, we also accept a video clip submission; 1-2 minutes long, where applicants have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share why they are interested in being a Cleveland Clinic dietetic intern. It is not required but strongly encouraged. This clip needs to be web-based and can be posted on YouTube or Vimeo. Please provide the video link and password, if necessary, at the bottom of your Personal Statement. Please note that submitting a video clip will not impact the applicant’s likelihood of being accepted into the program, as it is not included in the evaluation criteria.
NEW DEADLINE: All materials are due by January 15th. All complete applications receive a full review before interview invitations are sent.
Applicants will be notified of the acceptance decision on or before March 1st.
Applicant confirmation to accept or decline program invitation offers will be requested on March 15th.
Prior to submitting an application, it is recommended that applicants review the admissions-related information and requirements linked below for the academic year in which they wish to apply. The links include information on the following:
- Technical standards
- Admissions requirements, including prerequisites
- Required admissions documents
- Required enrollment documents
Admission/enrollment overview
- Information when applying for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Information when applying for the 2026-2027 academic year
*Academic years fall between July 1, 20XX through June 30, 20XX of the following year.
Example: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Enrollment related documents
Tuition & Fees
Expenses*
Tuition – $10,000 - paid in four installments. For interns who commit to the program on 3/15, tuition will be reduced by 50% to $5,000 total (2 installments).
Additional expenses*
- Academy Student Membership – $58
- Cleveland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership – $15
- Up-to-date immunizations or proof of immunity.
- Health Insurance – Variable; REQUIRED; responsible for own arrangements.
- Liability Insurance – may purchase additional coverage; responsible for own arrangements
- Parking – Free
- Housing – Variable; responsible for own arrangements
- No meals are provided
- Transportation - A vehicle is REQUIRED due to varied schedules and travel to affiliations. Cleveland does have a public transportation system, but this will not be helpful for all sites.
- Travel Expenses – Interns will be responsible for travel and living expenses for elective rotations (if sites outside of Cleveland are selected).
*All fees and expenses are subject to change
Financial aid
Without also being enrolled in a separate degree-providing program, interns are not eligible for federal loans, grants, etc. However, payments on student loans may be deferred during the internship. Recent interns have been awarded scholarships through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic Robert D. Kruse Memorial Scholarship and others, to help cover expenses.
The Dietetic Internship Program does not currently participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Tuition refund policy
The Dietetic Internship Program issues refunds for tuition and other fees for eligible applicants and students as outlined in the School of Health Professions’ Tuition Refund Policy.
Graduate Information
Transcript requests
Information regarding how to request official transcripts can be found on the School of Health Professions’ Records page.
Graduation requirements
Once accepted into the program, all learning experiences specified in the program curriculum must be completed at a level of sufficient competency. Interns will receive frequent evaluations and feedback from supervising faculty and the Program Director. Interns who fulfill all program requirements, including a confirming graduate degree, will receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible to take the National Examination for Registered Dietitians.
Graduating interns must also:
- Prepare for and complete all required rotations, experiences and assignments to meet graduation criteria.
- Attend all required classes.
- Work as a team on group projects and presentations.
- Complete multiple clinical case study presentations.
- Present to Center for Human Nutrition on a research project.
- Attend internal and external (local) meetings or events as specified by the Program Director.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward graduation will be evaluated after the completion of each term of the program. Failure to maintain SAP may result in the student being dismissed from the program.
Program Outcomes
Over the past 35-plus years, our program has continued to grow. Nearly 200 internship graduates have gone on to pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians. Each member of the last 20 classes who chose to take the exam has passed. The Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship has a 92% first-time pass rate and a 100% one-year pass rate. Most internship graduates are employed in the field within six months of completing the program, with some transitioning directly into advanced clinical and/or leadership opportunities.
Program outcomes highlights
|
Year |
CC DI Graduation Rate |
CC DI Graduate RD Exam |
National U.S. RD Exam (1st attempt in calendar year) |
CC DI RD Exam Mean Score |
National U.S. RD Exam |
CC DI Graduate Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2024 |
100% |
86% |
60% |
29 |
24 |
100% |
|
2023 |
100% |
100% |
63% |
30 |
24 |
100% |
|
2022 |
100% |
90% |
67% |
30 |
25 |
100% |
|
2021 |
100% |
90% |
62% |
30 |
24 |
100% |
|
2020 |
100% |
91% |
68% |
30 |
25 |
100% |
One-Year Program Size: Small
Five-Year Percentile Rank (based on First Attempt Pass Rate): 89
Five-Year Percentile Rank (based on First Attempt Mean Score): 97
Curriculum
Prior learning from other programs, work experiences or activities will not count towards Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship program hours, assignments and/or required competencies.
Rotation chart
|
Rotation |
Description |
Length |
|
Orientation |
Orientation to Cleveland Clinic and the Center for Human Nutrition, including various specialized teams: inpatient nutrition therapy, outpatient nutrition therapy, nutrition support, pediatrics and food service management. Training classes include a review of enteral nutrition, nutrition calculations, communication and listening skills, utilizing the Nutrition Care Process, and how to navigate the electronic medical record. Policies, procedures and expectations are also discussed. |
2 weeks |
|
Dietetic Technician |
Interns gain comfort and familiarity with navigating the hospital, interviewing patients, providing diet education and using the electronic medical record. |
1 week |
|
Clinical Rotations |
Clinical Nutrition is the basis for this internship, and interns are required to master skills related to Medical Nutrition Therapy among various patient populations. Core Clinicals
Advanced Clinicals
|
18 weeks |
|
Electives 3 rotations, 2 weeks each |
For the elective rotation, interns can request to visit a Cleveland Clinic specialty area, such as the Center for Functional Medicine, Wellness & Preventive Medicine, Neonatal Intensive Care, Endocrinology or Home Infusion. Interns can also work with a dietitian(s) outside of Cleveland Clinic and may choose to pursue an on-site or virtual opportunity in another city or state. The Program Director will assist in obtaining an affiliation agreement for external rotation sites. Electives are intentionally flexible and many interests can be accommodated. Elective categories:
Focus on nutrition practice among specialized populations in a not-for-profit environment. In the past five years, interns have utilized various sites in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, but also in New York, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Columbus. Some of the agencies who have hosted Cleveland Clinic interns include Food Pantries, Cooperative Extension Services, Women Infant and Children's programs, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, school nutrition and the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition.
Focus on dietitians working in business, private practice, industry or any other for-profit environment. In the past five years, interns have utilized various sites in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, but also in Columbus, OH, Battle Creek, MI, Dallas, TX, Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, Boston, MA, Los Angeles, CA and Orlando, FL. Many dietitian entrepreneurs have hosted Cleveland Clinic interns in industries and businesses such as grocery stores, food and supplement companies, meal services, weight loss, disease management and food technology.
Almost all clinical and non-clinical specialties can be explored during this elective. |
6 weeks |
|
Staff Relief |
Interns are able to return to one of their favorite experiences from the clinical core rotations and will be responsible for seeing 100% of their preceptor’s assigned patients, functioning independently in the RD role. |
2 weeks |
|
Clinical Management |
Interns work with a clinical nutrition manager for one week to develop a greater understanding of management styles, employee recruitment, retention, and performance evaluation, including coaching and leadership initiatives to encourage better patient care and employee satisfaction. |
1 week |
|
Outcomes Research |
Interns are matched with a dietitian who is actively working on a research project. Rotation responsibilities include but are not limited to: IRB completion and submission, assisting with data collection and entry, reviewing current research literature, and working with the team to develop a manuscript or abstract for professional submission. |
2 weeks |
|
Patient and Retail Foodservice Management |
Interns will work on either Main Campus or at a Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospital to learn about the patient and retail foodservice structure including meal preparation and supplemental distribution, menu development, safety and regulation, and therapeutic diets. A foodservice manager will work with the intern to provide directed training toward good management practices in the supervision, training and coaching of foodservice employees and preparing to address issues related to customer and patient satisfaction. |
4 weeks |
Work hours
As a full-time intern you will be expected to work at least 40 hours per week, typically 8+ hours each day. Additional assignments and required readings will be completed outside of work hours. Occasionally interns are scheduled to work weekends with a preceptor and attendance to several evening meetings is required.
Being a Cleveland Clinic dietetic intern requires great responsibility, organization and time management. Because of these reasons, and also that the schedule and routine change every 3-4 weeks, it may be difficult to hold an outside job during the program. Working is permitted as long as it does not hinder your performance in the dietetic internship program.
Time away from the program
Interns will be scheduled off on most weekends and on the following Cleveland Clinic-designated holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Interns are also off Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week and receive two weeks off around the December holidays. There is also a flexible week-long spring break, dates chosen by the intern, sometime between April and June.
Personal days
Each intern has four personal days to use as needed. Any time off beyond these four days must be made up.
Additional Information
Interning at Cleveland Clinic
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Intern office space
Dietetic interns at Cleveland Clinic have dedicated office space with computer workstations, storage for personal items, a refrigerator, and complimentary coffee machine. Each intern is also assigned a personal laptop for the program length, allowing flexible access to our resources from anywhere.
Training to assess and diagnose malnutrition
All dietetic interns participate in a two-part didactic and hands-on training that teaches them to assess and diagnose patients for malnutrition using the Nutrition- Focused Physical Exam (NFPE). This training is using a simulated environment where participants receive immediate feedback from a trained observer.
Open House
Please join us for a virtual Dietetic Internship Open House.
A recorded version is also available.
Visit our Instagram page for more info.
