The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 899-5400
http://www.eatright.org/ACEND
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about UAB’s accreditation.
Professional Licensure and Certification (PLC) Requirements
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship is designed to lead to registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) certification. While there is a national professional exam, the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists, associated with the RDN certification, specific licensure requirements still vary from state to state. UAB is working to develop an online, publicly accessible database to assist in providing this state-by-state information. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning about potential professional licensure requirements in your state for a specific degree program, please contact UAB State Authorization at
For additional RDN State Licensure Resources, visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Our mission is to prepare students to be competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) for practice in a variety of settings through an innovative program design that promotes collaboration, use of the research process, and critical-thinking skills to improve the health of individuals and communities.
Goal 1: Prepare graduates to be competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) who will meet the employment needs of the southeast region and the nation.
Objectives for Goal 1:
- At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 18 months (150% of the program length).
- Over a five-year period, at least 90% of program graduates will pass the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within one year of first attempt.
- Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 95% 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%.
- During their first year of employment, program graduates will be ranked by at least 90% of employers as "satisfactory" or better in professional knowledge and skills as compared to the expected competency of an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Goal 2: Prepare graduates who demonstrate the ability to use current evidence-based research and apply the research process in professional practice.
Objectives for Goal 2:
- 85% of program graduates indicate on the alumni survey that they routinely use current research findings in professional practice.
- 75% of program graduates indicate on the alumni survey that they have used the research process to make decisions in professional practice since graduation.
Goal 3: Prepare graduates who demonstrate a commitment to serving the community and the profession.
Objectives for Goal 3:
- 75% of recent (within one year of graduation) graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate that they participated in at least one service activity since graduation.
- 75% of recent (within one year of graduation) graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate they are active members of a local, state, or national dietetic association.
If you are interested in specific outcome measures of the program, please contact the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship Program Director, Keith Pearson, PhD, RD,LD, at
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship prepares entry-level dietitian nutritionists for a variety of careers in health care, wellness, and food service management. The program aims to improve awareness and understanding among health professionals and the public of the vital role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease and in health promotion. On completing the program, graduates will earn a Master of Science degree and will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
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Curriculum Requirements
Fall Semester
- NTR 589: Internship Practicum (10 credit hours)
- NTR 604: Principles and Practice of Nutrition Support (3 credit hours)*
- NTR 621: Applied Statistics to Nutrition Sciences I (3 credit hours)*
- NTR 690: Seminar (2 credit hours)*
Spring Semester
- NTR 589: Internship Practicum (10 credit hours)
- NTR 601: Advanced Medical Nutrition (3 credit hours)*
- NTR 637: Applied Research in Nutrition Sciences (3 credit hours)*
Summer Semester
- NTR 500: Communication in Nutrition (1 credit hour)*
- NTR 501: RDN Certification Review (0 credit hours)**
- NTR 589: Internship Practicum (4 credit hours)
- NTR 611: Advanced Food System and Resource Management (3 credit hours)*
- NTR 618: Nutritional Biochemistry (6 credit hours)*
A thesis option is available with additional semesters.
The program does not grant credit for prior supervised practice or graduate learning. Students enrolled in the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship are required to successfully complete all courses in the program to receive a verification statement.
*Denotes online course
**NTR 501 is a non-credit hour review course for the RDN credentialing exam and includes a one-year subscription to eatrightPREP. Students will pay a non-refundable fee of $550.
For a list of course descriptions, visit the UAB Graduate Catalog.
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Graduation Requirements
Satisfactory completion of the program includes a 3.0 GPA (A= 4.0) for the required graduate course work, which includes the completion of a non-thesis MS degree and successful completion of 1,000 hours of supervised practicum experience (grade of PASS for 24 total credit hours of clinical practicum).
For more information on becoming an RDN, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
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Does the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track Dietetic/Internship have an open house?
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship will host a Virtual Open House on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM CST.
Register for the event and receive session information.
Email the Program Director, Mrs. Rivers, at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a recording of the open house or to schedule a campus visit. -
How long is the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
The non-thesis option is a total of three semesters (12 months). Students can complete the thesis option with additional semesters.
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Who is eligible to apply for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S., has completed the required curriculum from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), and has received a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Statement may apply for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship.
To find out more about how to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
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What is the cost of the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
For the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid “Paying for College” webpage. Our graduate programs can be found under the “Graduate” tab, within the “School of Health Professions, School of Nursing” rows. Please note, charges for practicums are based on residency status. Online courses are charged at the same rate for Alabama residents and non-residents.
Detailed program fees and charges can be found in the program’s Student Handbook (PDF).
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Can students receive financial aid for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
Yes, federal financial aid is available, and loans may be available for eligible students. Those interested should contact the Student Financial Aid Office, University Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294. Call (205) 934-8223 for more information.
A complete federal financial aid application packet is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid in Room 317 of the Hill University Center, or visit the UAB Office of Student Financial Aid.
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Are scholarships available for students enrolled in the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
Yes, students will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships during the fall semester.
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Where can I find specific program outcome measures?
If you are interested in specific outcome measures of the program, please contact the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship Program Director, Carleton Rivers, MS, RDN, at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call (205) 934-3223. -
What are the technology requirements for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship?
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship incorporates distance education in the program’s curriculum. For details about the technical requirements for online courses, please visit the “Technical Requirements for Online Courses” webpage.
The UAB MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship works with more than 60 sites and 135 preceptors, many of whom are graduates of the program. Internship sites are available in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile. With a program emphasis of Medical Nutrition Therapy, the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship offers extensive supervised practice experience in a variety of clinical settings. Listed below are the areas of practice that an intern may work in while enrolled in the program.
- Clinical Nutrition - Inpatient and outpatient services may include weight management, diabetes, nephrology, cardiology, gastroenterology, rehabilitation and long term care, HIV, trauma, burns, surgery, oncology, cystic fibrosis, eating disorders, and sports nutrition.
- Community Nutrition - Public health, community and corporate wellness, telehealth, and community outreach organizations
- Foodservice Management - Hospitals, universities/colleges, and school nutrition programs
- Research (only Birmingham) - Clinical and community research
Within the different practice areas, interns may work with various population groups, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant/lactating women, and older adults. The supervised practice portion of the program concludes with interns completing a five-week staff practice rotation in an area of their choosing. All rotation facilities are located within 100 miles of the intern's designated program city.
Conferences/Meetings
Interns attend several conferences each year. The Pediatric Conference is a one-week intensive course sponsored by the UAB Department of Pediatrics. Interns also attend the Alabama Dietetic Association Annual Meeting. In addition, interns attend district dietetic meetings on a regular basis and may attend other state or locally sponsored conferences such as the State WIC Conference, State or Regional Public Health conferences, or clinical updates sponsored by District Dietetic Associations.
The UAB MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship accepts a total of 25 interns annually. These positions are distributed among the on- and off-campus programs:
- Birmingham (on-campus): 16 interns
- Mobile (off-campus): 4 interns
- Montgomery (off-campus): 3 interns
- Huntsville (off-campus): 2 interns
The Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) and online computer matching through D&D Digital. Students who are matched to the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship will then apply to the Graduate School.
Application Process
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Phase 1 – Dietetic Internship
1. Apply for the UAB Dietetic Internship through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal.
- DICAS Application Deadline: February 15
- Send all application materials directly to DICAS.
- More information about the DICAS application procedure and fees can be found on the ACEND website.
2. For international students, submit official TOEFL score to UAB Graduate School
- TOEFL Institution code: 1856
- Mail Financial Affidavit of Support (for international applicants only) to:
UAB Graduate School LHL G03
1720 2nd Ave South
Birmingham, Al 35294-0013
3. Apply for computer matching through D&D Digital.
- Application deadline: February 15
- Program Code: 301
- Rank programs in order of preference
4. Applicants may be invited to interview with the Program Director during the application process.
5. UAB does participate in 2nd round matching. The program will be listed on the D&D Digital website once 1st round matching has concluded if openings are available. To apply to the program during 2nd round matching, please apply through DICAS.
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Phase 2 – Graduate School
- Students who are matched to the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship and accept their position will then apply to the UAB Graduate School.
- UAB Graduate School Deadline: June 1
- By August 1, enrolled students must complete required immunizations, drug screening, and background check. For more information about these requirements, please visit the UAB Student Health Services website.
Application Deadlines
Due February 15
- DICAS Application
- D&D Digital Application
Due June 1
- UAB Graduate School Application
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship, you must have:
- Received a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States.
- Completed the required curriculum from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and received a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Statement.
- Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
International students should have:
- An expected cumulative TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, PTEA (Pearson Test of English Academics) score of 53, Duolingo score of 70, or IELA (International English Language Assessment) score of 176.
- Please contact the Office of International admissions [https://www.uab.edu/global/international-students-and-scholars] with questions specific to the English proficiency test requirements.
- A Financial Affidavit of Support.
In instances where applicants do not meet the principal GPA requirements for admission, they may be considered for probationary admission. Students who are competitive for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics within the past three years. Every part of the DICAS application is used in the selection process and is reviewed by a committee comprised of program faculty and preceptors.
If you do not qualify for the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship, the Department of Nutrition Sciences offers additional MS in Nutrition Sciences tracks that may meet your professional goals.