Dietetic Internship

The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Dietetic (CHLA) internship prepares dietetic professionals who are able to meet the nutritional challenges of children with chronic health care problems. As a world leader in the care of children with complex medical needs, CHLA is host to training programs for nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and medical residency, providing a rich interprofessional learning environment. The California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Training Program (CA-LEND) prepares professionals for leadership roles in health and related professions that care for infants, children and adolescents with, or at risk for neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. The CA-LEND program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses clinical practice, research and systems change. The dietetic internship is tuition free and fulfills all the requirements necessary for applicants to be eligible to sit for the registration exam for dietitians.

For prospective interns: Register for dietetic internship related email updates here.

Philosophy

Through our graduates, the dietetic internship promotes the delivery of care that is:

1. Family-centered: recognizing the importance of the family in nurturing and nourishing a child
2. Culturally responsive: honoring and respecting the cultural beliefs and practices that influence the behavior and practice of families
3. Care coordinated: utilizing knowledge of systems of care
4. Comprehensive: emphasizing principles of evidence based practice to ensure appropriate care
5. Developmentally appropriate: providing care that is strength based
6. Interdisciplinary: optimizing the delivery of care through interdisciplinary screening, referral and collaboration 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete a graduate degree (master’s level or higher) in nutrition, public health, maternal child health or a related topic, prior to the start of the internship. Applicants nearing the completion of their graduate degree are encouraged to apply if they will be done before the start of the internship.

Mission of the Dietetics Program

The program will prepare registered dietitian nutritionist competent at entry level and beyond to address the nutritional needs of infants, children and adults with special health care needs in an interdisciplinary, multicultural environment through service and employment in clinical nutrition, food service, community, education and research and who demonstrate at excelled and leadership in the profession.

Program Goal 1 

Program will prepare graduates for entry level practice and beyond with an emphasis on providing nutrition services for children and individuals with special health care needs.

Objective 1.1
At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 16.5 months for full time track and 33 months for part time track (150% of the program length).

Objective 1.2
Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

Objective 1.3
Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Objective 1.4
Seventy-five percent of graduates will be employed in the area of children and individuals with special health care needs 5 years after completing the program

Objective 1.5
Eighty percent of graduates will receive rates of mostly satisfactory from their Employer.

Objective 1.6
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%”.

Program Goal 2

To increase the leadership capacity of RDNs in the field of nutrition for children and individuals with special health care needs, the program will prepare graduates to engage in leadership activities.

Objective 2.1
Eighty percent of graduates will report participation in a minimum of 1 leadership activity in clinical, community or academic settings, in the area of children and individuals with special health care needs within 1 year of completing the program.

Objective 2.2
Eighty percent of graduates will report participation in a minimum of 1 scholarly activity (manuscript submission, professional presentation or teaching), in the area of children and individuals with special health care needs within 5 years of completing the program.

Objective 2.3
Sixty percent of graduates will assume positions of leadership in clinical, community or academic setting within 5 years after their graduation, advancing the profession of nutrition /dietetics in the field for children and individuals with special health care needs.

Data available for review upon request.

Dietetic Internship Curriculum

The program provides specialized training in pediatrics and developmental and related disabilities through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) interdisciplinary training program in addition to clinical and management rotations. In the LEND program Interns also work with a cadre of faculty and trainees from other disciplines to deliver the highest level of care to our patients and their families. 

The dietetic professionals serving as preceptors are dedicated to excellence. They are committed to providing a comprehensive and supportive program for interns. Utilizing the practice setting for learning experiences, the preceptors serve as role models in providing the highest quality nutrition care to patients in cooperation with interdisciplinary health care teams. The dietitians take ownership and pride in teaching the interns and use one-on-one teaching in a majority of the rotations to facilitate the most effective learning situation.

The program offers two tracks: Full time and part time. Interns are required to complete the same number of supervised practice hours for both tracks. The full time track will take place over 11 months, while the part time track spans 22 months. The internship begins in August for both the full-time and part-time interns. Interns will provide nutrition services in inpatient, outpatient and community-based settings to children and adults with special health care needs and their family. The internship prepares the graduate to function as a member of an interdisciplinary pediatric health care team and assume a leadership role in programs focused on improving the health of children and their families. The internship exceeds the minimum number of supervised practice hours (1200 hours) as described in the table below.

It highly recommended that prospective applicants visit the program prior to applying. Each year the program hosts two open houses, one in December and another in January. See link for most current information. If the prospective candidate cannot attend an open house, it is encouraged to contact the program director to arrange for a visit at another time (based on the director’s availability).

Sample Schedules

Sample Schedule

Application Process

Applicants must complete a graduate degree (master’s level or higher) in nutrition, public health, maternal child health or a related topic, prior to the start of the internship. Applicants nearing the completion of their graduate degree are encouraged to apply if they will be done before the start of the internship.

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 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles dietetic internship program participates in DICAS, an on-line centralized internship application. Applicants should consult the portal web page (https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/) for general instructions on how to use the portal. The fees to applicants need to submit $45.00 for the first application and $20 for each additional application. Deadline dates for fall and spring application cycles are given on the DICAS website.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of:

• Academic achievement with a “B” or better in the following courses:
  • Human physiology, biochemistry, advanced human nutrition and medical nutrition therapy
• Previous work or volunteer experience with children
• Personal Statement- which should answer the following questions: 

  1. Why you are applying to THIS internship? 

  2. What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for a career in pediatric nutrition? 

  3. What are your short-term and long-term goals? 

  4. What are your strengths and opportunities for improvement
• Three letters of recommendation (1 letter from an academic source)
• An onsite evaluation of writing, mathematical and critical thinking skills
• Applicants who are called for an interview will be asked to provide a formal writing sample.

Application process

The program adheres to the deadlines provided by DICAS. Please review the information provided at https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/.

Interviews are typically held in the beginning of February. If the applicant is offered an interview, applicants will be given the opportunity to interview in person or online. Applicants will meet with members of the selection committee and required to complete an onsite evaluation.

Notification Day - Applicants will be notified of their offer on or before March 1, 2025. Applicants must notify the program of the decision to accept on or before March 15, 2025.

Information for students and prospective interns can be found here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/application-process-for-students.

If you need accommodation or assistance with DICAS online, please contact customer support at 617-612-2855 or visit https://help.liaisonedu.com/DICAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_DICAS_Application/    
Getting_Started_with_Your_DICAS_Application/08_Customer_Service

Admission into the program

Applicants must submit a verification statement from an accredited DPD program prior to being formally admitted to the dietetic internship program.

Graduation Requirements for Dietetic Internship

Satisfactory completion of the Dietetic Internship program requires:

• Achievement of competency (>3) on all competency requirements, including all components of the CA-LEND program.
• Successful completion of a minimum of 1332 hours of supervised practice.

Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship program, individuals will be eligible to write the registration examination for dietitians from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Passage of the examination is required for certification as a Registered Dietitian from The Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

Accreditation

The program is currently granted continued accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics    
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190    
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995

Telephone: 312-899-0040 or 800-877-1600

Estimated Costs

Tuition: There is no tuition associated with the dietetic internship.

Health Screening: Annual TB screening, immunization updates

Books: about $200

Liability Insurance: about $50 per year (Proliability http://www.proliability.com/)

Living expenses: about $2500 per month in the Los Angeles area

Car Insurance: ~ $300-500/year

Stipends: As LEND participants, interns are eligible to received stipends over the course of their training. The amount of stipend will vary based on grant funding.

General Requirements for Applying to Dietetic Internships

For general information about the requirements and process to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, please see the following:

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, a path of higher education is a must as well as a dietetic internship from an ACEND-accredited program, and passing the national registration examination.

The 5 Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics).
2. Get matched to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program (some dietetic internships are combined with a master’s degree, which is optional*).    
   For students who do not match to an internship, applying to an Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. The PHFE-WIC Dietetic Internship requires that the intern work as a PHFE-WIC degreed nutritionist for at least twelve months.
3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s dietetic registration exam.
4. Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
5. Maintain continuing education.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

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.

For more information on the program, including a sample schedule, please contact the program director at CHLA_dietetic_internship@chla.usc.edu.