Dietetic Internship Overview & Schedule

Internship-Only Track

BIDMC Dietetic Internship
Duration: 10 months

• Start Dietetic Internship at BIDMC: September
• Complete Dietetic Internship: June

Master's & Internship Track

Boston University MS & BIDMC Dietetic Internship
Duration: 22 months

Year 1 – Master's Program at Boston University

• Start MS Program (Semester 1): September
• Complete MS Program (Semester 2): May

Year 2 – Dietetic Internship at BIDMC

• Start Dietetic Internship: September
• Complete Dietetic Internship: June

The BIDMC Dietetic Internship is designed with accessibility in mind. We aim to minimize costs where possible, and provide several benefits to support interns during their training.

• BIDMC internship rotations are accessible by public transportation, and a car is not required.
• We strive to keep expenses low and provide support through select benefits (outlined below).
• BIDMC does not provide financial aid, though MS/DI interns may be eligible through their university.
• Drug testing is not required for the onboarding process. BIDMC is a drug-free workplace and learning environment.

Estimated Costs

Below are estimated expenses that all interns can expect to incur during the program. These amounts may vary based on personal choices and living arrangements.

• Internship Tuition: $7,000
• Housing: $1,300 – $2,400/month
• Required Immunizations/Vaccinations: $100 – $200 (for onboarding)
• Clinical Scrubs: $100 – $150
• Health Insurance: $250 – $450/month (if purchased through the Massachusetts Health Connector)
• Transportation: $90/month (visit the MBTA website for more information)
• Food/Meals (outside of hospital): $300/month

Benefits

Interns receive a variety of benefits designed to offset costs, enhance learning, and create a rewarding experience at BIDMC.

• $2,000 meal allowance for use at five on-campus eateries
• BIDMC-branded jacket
• Professional liability insurance
• Registration for the Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Conference
• Discounted Red Sox tickets ($5 per ticket, up to two at a time)
• Formal graduation ceremony and reception

Additional Costs & Benefits for MS/DI Interns Only

Boston University MS/DI interns have additional financial and support considerations. The following information outlines graduate tuition and benefits available through BU.

Additional Estimated Costs

• Graduate Tuition & Fees (2024–2025): $66,670
  Includes a $500/semester fee applied during Year 2 while at BIDMC

Additional Benefits

Boston University MS/DI interns have access to BU resources, including:

• Financial aid
• Student Health Center
• Libraries

The BIDMC dietetic internship is a rigorous program that requires the intern participate in both supervised practice and classroom settings. Dietetic interns are scheduled to be in attendance for five 8.5-hour days each week. Class time (usually Mondays) is included in this scheduled time. In addition to the 40-hour week, interns can expect approximately 5-15 hours of additional work each week to complete readings, assignments, and projects.

Though weekend shifts are rare, they do occur occasionally, and the intern is provided equivalent time off during the week. Start and end times vary based on rotation. Typically, an intern would start no earlier than 7:00 am, nor end later than 6:30 pm (not on the same day).

Interns have several holidays and vacation days during the internship, typically including long weekends in October, January, February and May, as well as time off around Thanksgiving and the Christmas to New Year’s Day span of days.

To successfully complete the BIDMC Dietetic Internship Program, interns must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submit all required rotation-related paperwork, verified by the Internship Coordinator or Director
• Demonstrate all required competencies as “met” on rotation evaluations and the master list
• Successfully complete and present one care plan
• Successfully complete one oral presentation
• Complete all assignments and projects to an adequate standard
• Participate in and present the group project, with appropriate workload distribution
• Fulfill the required 1,219 hours of supervised practice
• Make up all absences beyond the standard allotment of personal days
• Abide by the Code of Ethics for the profession of dietetics
• Pay tuition in full

Timeline for Program Completion

• Non-degree route: All requirements must be completed within 15 months of enrollment; maximum allowable time is 5 years
• MS/DI route: All requirements must be completed within 36 months of enrollment; maximum allowable time is 5 years

Interns who do not complete the program within the 5-year maximum will not be eligible for graduation.

Upon completion of the program, dietetic interns receive a signed Verification Statement indicating they are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians as administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and qualify for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The pathway to becoming a registered dietitian (RD) includes educational requirements, supervised practice hours, and a credentialing exam.

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). Learn more about this requirement.

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 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Once graduates of the BIDMC DI pass the exam, they are eligible to apply for licensure in Massachusetts. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Learn more about Learn more about state licensure requirements.

“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. Visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration website for more information about state licensure and certification.