Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship Program

About the Dietetic Internship

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship program (also known as a supervised practice experience program) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Education (ACEND). It is housed within the Department of Food and Nutrition Services, one of the largest support service departments at Henry Ford Hospital. All learning experiences are supervised by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and/or other qualified faculty/preceptors. Successful completion of the 9-month program should prepare students to be competent entry-level practitioners.

The program has a Medical Nutrition Therapy concentration and it accepts 8 students annually. With the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Standards of Professional Practice and Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics in mind, the program aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills, methods, and tools to achieve professional expertise and competence to practice as entry-level practitioners.

While completing the Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship, students are expected to uphold the values of respect, compassion, and integrity while prioritizing the needs of patients and society. Students must demonstrate accountability, maintain a commitment to excellence and continuous professional development, and adhere to ethical principals in the provision of clinical care, patient confidentiality, and business practices. Additionally, students are expected to show sensitivity and responsiveness to the diverse culture, age, gender, and disability related needs of patients.

For students interested in completing the Henry Ford Hospital dietetic internship, two pathways are offered:

• Option A - Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship: Option A is a 9-month pathway offered to students who have already earned a Masters' degree and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement from an accredited academic program, but still need to complete the supervised practice experience hours.
• Option B - Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship and Michigan State University Master's Degree: Option B is a 16-month pathway offered through an affiliation between Henry Ford Hospital and Michigan State University (MSU). Students applying to this pathway must have a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education Program (FDE) by a U.S. accredited college/university or foreign equivalent and be accepted into the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program at Michigan State University.

Upon completion of all requirements for either pathway, students will earn a Verification Statement and be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). For additional information on either pathway, please review the Student Handbook.

Internship Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission

The Mission of the Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship Program is to provide patient-centered, supervised practice experiences and practical application, in an intellectual, collaborative and compassionate atmosphere, to prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for career excellence. The program is structured with a nutrition therapy concentration focusing on evidence-based practice across the continuum of care. Dietetic interns will develop outstanding critical thinking skills and be exposed to a highly diverse environment of people, experiences and practices.

Goal 1

To facilitate the development and maintenance of Medical Nutrition Therapy knowledge and skills through interactive learning experiences while cultivating outstanding critical thinking skills to individualize interactions in diverse areas of dietetics practice.

Goal 1 Objectives

• Option A: At least 80% of students will complete the internship within 150% of program length
• Option B: At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 13.5 months (150% of planned program length)
• At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 24 months (150% of planned program length)
• At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of graduate degree completion or completion of dietetic internship.
• 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%.
• 100% of program graduates rate staff guidance to meet basic competencies, as outlined for each supervised practice experience, as satisfactory or above.
• 85% of employers rate the graduates' Medical Nutrition Therapy knowledge and skills and development of critical thinking skills to individualize each interaction as satisfactory or above.

Goal 2

To prepare competent entry-level dietitian nutritionists who demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and career excellence.

Goal 2 Objectives

• 100% of program graduates rate their overall confidence level that the internship prepared them as competent for entry-level practice as satisfactory or above.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduate degree completion or 12 months of completion of dietetic internship.
• 85% of employers are satisfied with graduate preparation for entry-level practice.
• 85% of employers will rate the graduates' organizational skills, customer service skills, communication skills, and overall commitment to professional growth and career development as satisfactory or above

Please note that all program outcomes and data are available upon request.

Estimated Cost

• Program Fee: $7500 – due prior to the start of the program
• Health Insurance: $750-800 – Students are required to have health insurance
• Housing: $800-1200/month – Dependent on the students location of choice
• Travel: $1000
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership: $58
• Southeastern Michigan Dietetic Association student membership: $15
• Misc. Items: $250 – non-slip shoes for foodservice rotation and Nutrition Focused Physical Exam pocket guide

Additional Program Information

Background Check

Students accepted into the program are required by Volunteer Services to complete an Authorization for Background Investigation form prior to the first day of the program and at any time during the program as requested by Henry Ford Hospital. Participation in the program is dependent on the results of the background check.

Distance Education

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship is not a distance education program. Students admitted to this program are required to be on-site and/or at assigned site locations.

Drug Screening

Students are not required to obtain drug testing prior to admission; however, Henry Ford reserves the right to conduct testing of a dietetic student who is reasonably suspected of using alcohol or illegal drugs. If a student refuses to submit to a drug and/or alcohol screening test will be considered to have voluntarily resigned from the program.

English Fluency

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to succeed in the program and to ensure patient safety. If English is a second language, you must be able to demonstrate fluency. Satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination or the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency must be documented as proof of fluency. Your test results must be less than two years old.

Health Screening

Students must complete a pre-placement health screening that includes a negative TB test. Additionally, students must provide an immunization record that reflects an MMR (2 doses) and Tdap vaccines. Students are also required to get a flu vaccine during flu season (September to April).

Liability Insurance

Students will have full professional liability insurance from Henry Ford Hospital. If desired, students can obtain their own private liability insurance at their own expense.

Living Accommodations

There is a variety of moderately priced apartments available within easy access to the Hospital. Housing is available for dietetic interns in the hospital owned and operated apartment building located on the hospital campus. Contact Guest Housing at (313) 916-3299.

Loans

The Henry Ford Dietetic Internship does not participate in the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. The program does not provide students any academic loans or stipends.

Meals

Students are provided with a meal voucher for daily use at the Henry Ford Hospital cafeteria.

Outside Employment

The dietetic internship is demanding and challenging. It requires organization, self-discipline, and stamina. Due to the demands, it is strongly recommended that students do not obtain employment outside of the program.

Parking

Students will have access to a parking lot that is monitored by Henry Ford Hospital security. They will also have free access to a shuttle that travels from the parking lot to the hospital.

Prior Learning

Students admitted to the program are required to have a Didactic Program in Dietetics verification statement. Prior learning assessment for program coursework and/or experiences is not accepted at this time.

Security

Henry Ford Hospital prioritizes the safety of its staff and students. Upon request, security personnel will escort staff and students.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) is an autonomous accrediting agency for education programs preparing students to begin careers as registered dietitians or dietetic technicians, registered. Programs meeting the ACEND Accreditation Standards are accredited by ACEND®.

ACEND Mission: ACEND ensures the quality of nutrition and dietetics education to advance the practice of the profession.

ACEND Vision: ACEND is valued for advancing excellence in nutrition and dietetics education.

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship program completed its most recent program review by the Council for Education in Nutrition and Education (ACEND) in June 2025. Following a successful review, the program received reaccreditation until June 30th, 2033.

ACEND Contact Information

120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: (800) 877-1600 X 5400
Fax: (312) 899-4817
Email: ACEND@eatright.org