Overview
Welcome to Cleveland Clinic’s Dietetic Internship Program
Since its inception in 1989, Cleveland Clinic's 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). Our program emphasizes Clinical Nutrition, and we provide 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; our 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.
About the Dietetic Internship
Mission & Goals
The Center for Human Nutrition’s mission is to provide the highest quality nutrition care through leadership in clinical practice, education and research. Our vision is the Center for Human Nutrition is the best place for nutrition care world-wide. Our values are Quality & Safety; Innovation; Teamwork; Integrity; Empathy & Inclusion. 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, our graduates will meet the needs of their clients and provide superior care, applying advanced clinical skills and research-based practice.
Over the past 30 plus years, our program has continued to grow. More than 180 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 93% first-time pass rate and a 99% 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 related to our goals listed below are available upon request. Contact barborn@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 program students complete program requirements within a 15-month time frame (150% of the program length).
- At least 90% 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% are employed in 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.
Program Information
Accreditation
Cleveland Clinic's Dietetic Internship 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 2000
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312.899.0040, ext 5400
Financial information
Expenses*
- Tuition – $10,000 nonrefundable - 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).
- 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 – REQUIRED; ~$30-$45 for student coverage.
- 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 Kruse Memorial Scholarship and others, to help cover expenses.
The Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship Program does not currently participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
HR requirements
- Passing background check requirements.
- Pre-start online training modules.
- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. during the foodservice management rotation.
- As an intern, you will be expected to learn from, interact with, and counsel a diverse population.
- Our facility is a non-smoking environment.
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.
Rotations
Rotation chart
| Rotation | Description | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation August/September |
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 September |
Interns gain comfort and familiarity with navigating the hospital, interviewing patients, providing diet education and using the electronic medical record. | 1 week |
| Clinical Rotations September- March |
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. 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 March-June |
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 March-June |
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 Fall and Spring (1 week each, split) |
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 Fall or Spring |
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 changes 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.
Admission Requirements
Application criteria
To be considered for acceptance into Cleveland Clinic’s Dietetic Internship Program, candidates must complete a graduate degree prior to starting the internship OR be enrolled with a graduation date planned no later than summer of the same year completing the internship. (For example, if applying in the Spring 2025 match, degree should be completed by Summer 2026.) Candidate must:
- Complete all required course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Present a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent.
*Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian - nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.
Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship program at Cleveland Clinic and also obtain a master's degree, are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
We support applicants choosing from various pathways to achieve the required nutrition and graduate coursework. While it is not required, Cleveland Clinic dietetic interns may choose to enroll in the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Master of Nutrition program. The CWRU Master of Nutrition program is conveniently located close to hospital rotations and can be completed while interning full time. For more information on the Master's in Nutrition program, contact Stephanie Harris, PhD, RDN, LD at stephanie.harris@case.edu.
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ASCEND'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 requirement, 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.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
To be considered, the minimum overall grade point average should be at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
The Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse team of future nutrition professionals. We provide equal opportunity to all applicants for admission into the program. Decisions concerning selection are all made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin, disability, military status, citizenship, genetic information or any other factor or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Visit our Office of Educational Equity for more information.
Selection criteria
Selection of interns will be based upon the following criteria:
- Knowledge: Overall and professional coursework; GPA’s (overall, science, DPD course-specific); college achievement scholarships, awards and honors.
- Work Experience: Paid or voluntary work experience. Nutrition-relevant opportunities and those of high quality and/or with responsibility are recognized.
- Leadership and Self-Motivation: Positions of leadership in extracurricular activities or work experiences; ability to set goals, take initiative, make decisions, use good judgment, and work independently. Previous and future goals are realistic and clearly identified.
- Management of Multiple Responsibilities: Coursework taken per semester/quarter in conjunction with work experience or family responsibilities; involvement with extracurricular activities; organizational skills, dependability, adaptability, and ability to handle stress.
- Communication Skills: Personal statement and video submissions; experience communicating with groups and individuals; empathy; self-confidence; interview (if selected).
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.
Application
Cleveland Clinic's Dietetic Internship Program participates in the online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services process, DICAS.
Candidates must complete all application materials in the DICAS platform. NEW DEADLINE: All materials are due by January 15th. All complete applications receive a full review. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decision on or before March 1st. Applicant confirmation to accept or decline program invitation offers will be requested on March 15th.
In addition to the standard application, we also request 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.
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.
Community outreach
Dietetic interns participate in several activities each year to benefit the greater Cleveland community, including community outreach cooking demonstrations: school-based nutrition education, and Cleveland Food Bank volunteering.
Interns also gain exposure to public health/community nutrition initiatives taking place in Northeast Ohio by touring urban farms and community gardens that are part of Cleveland's thriving local foods scene; participating in local and state efforts around food and nutrition advocacy; and visiting local agencies that work with public audiences to provide nutrition education.
Open House
Please join us for a virtual Dietetic Internship Open House. RSVP here.
A recorded version is also available.
Visit our Instagram page for more info.
Contact
For any additional information or questions about the Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship, please contact:
Naomi Barbor, MS, RD, LD
Program Director: Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship Program
Center for Human Nutrition—Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue/M17
Cleveland, OH 44195
216.444.6487
barborn@ccf.org
