MCN Dietetic Internship Partnerships

Dietetic Internships & RDN Pathways

Explore dietetic internship opportunities available to MCN students and learn how your previous dietetics coursework can shape your path toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The MCN program fulfills the graduate-degree requirement for the RDN pathway; however, students must also complete the required dietetics coursework and obtain a DPD Verification Statement to be eligible to enter a dietetic internship.

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Already completed a DPD?

Explore internship opportunities

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Need DPD coursework?

Explore your pathway

UC Davis Health Dietetic Internship

View UCD Health internship Download recruitment brochure

Internal UCD Applicant Pathway

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MCN and other UC Davis Nutrition graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply through an internal pathway before the national application pool opens.

Who is eligible?

Currently enrolled in MCN or GGNB
Completed required dietetics coursework
Have a DPD Verification Statement
Will complete a MS, M.A.S., or PhD before entering the internship

Application deadline: October 1

Apply through the DICAS Portal Platform

WIC Dietetic Internships

Central Valley WIC Internship
Gain hands-on experience in community nutrition and maternal and child health through a dietetic internship with Central Valley WIC. The program provides opportunities to develop clinical and nutrition counseling skills while serving diverse families and communities.
Explore Central Valley WIC Internship
PHFE WIC Dietetic Internship
Develop practical skills in community nutrition, health education, and nutrition counseling through the PHFE WIC Dietetic Internship. Interns gain experience supporting women, infants, and children while preparing for a career in dietetics and public health nutrition.
Dietetic Internship - PHFE WIC

Planning to become an RDN?

The MCN program can fulfill the graduate-degree requirement for RDN eligibility, but MCN is not a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).

Your pathway depends on whether you already have DPD coursework and a Verification Statement.

Four rounded infographic cards (blue, yellow, teal, orange) about application steps

^{*Built into the UC Davis Clinical Nutrition curriculum. For information on UC Davis undergraduate coursework, please review the}^{UC Davis Nutrition DPD Coursework}^.
^{**Complete a master’s degree separately from your supervised practice program. For example: Complete a stand-alone master’s degree at UC Davis, such as a}^{Master of Advanced Study in Maternal and Child Nutrition}^{or a}^{Master in Nutritional Biology}^{, then complete an accredited Dietetic Internship/Supervised Practice Program, such as the}^{UC Davis Health Dietetic Internship}^.
^{***If you have not completed the required DPD coursework with your undergraduate degree, you can enroll in a Coordinated Graduate Program. These programs combine: A master’s degree, supervised practice experience and required dietetics coursework (DPD requirements). If you did NOT complete a DPD program in your undergraduate work, you may elect to enroll in additional courses to meet the didactic requirements necessary to pursue the Registered Dietitian (RDN) credential as specified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If you enroll in additional courses, you will be required to pay additional tuition and fees.}^{Contact Undergraduate Staff Advisor for Nutrition for more information}^.

What if I did not complete a DPD program as an undergraduate?
If you did not complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), you will not have a Verification Statement required to enter a Dietetic Internship/Supervised Practice (DI/SP) program. You will need to complete the required dietetics coursework before applying to a DI/SP program.
What are my options at UC Davis?
Option 1: Complete the required coursework at UC Davis
You may be able to complete the required courses through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Open Campus. A transcript review is required to determine which courses you need. Depending on prerequisites, completing the coursework may take approximately 1–2 years, followed by a 6–12-month dietetic internship. Additional tuition and fees apply.
Option 2: Enroll in a coordinated or graduate dietetics program
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accredited Program Directory lists accredited Graduate Programs (GP) and Coordinated Programs (CP) that combine graduate education with required dietetics coursework and supervised practice. Students with a strong science background may meet the prerequisites for some programs.2) The Academy’s Accredited Program Directory. Lists combined/coordinated/graduate MS/RD programs. Look specifically at the Graduate Programs (GP) and the Coordinated programs (CP). If you have a science background, you should meet the prerequisites.
Can I complete the required coursework while earning a master’s degree at UC Davis?
Yes. Some students have completed the required dietetics coursework while earning a master’s degree at UC Davis. Keep in mind that completing the additional undergraduate coursework may take approximately one year and will require additional tuition and fees.
Where can I learn more about the RDN application process?
For questions about the dietetics coursework requirements and the DICAS application process, contact Joan Frank. Additional resources, including recorded presentations and information about the Senior Seminar on applying to dietetic internships, are available through Careers4RDN.