How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with KADDI
The Keith & Associates Distance Dietetic Internship (KADDI) offers two flexible pathways to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): the internship-only option and a combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship (MSDI) track. Both routes are fully ACEND-accredited and tailored to fit your academic background and career goals.
Step 1: Do you have a
DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) Verification Statement?
If yes, move to step 2!
If no, we have you covered!
If you do not have a DPD Verification Statement from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics, you have options! KADDI has partnered with the following University DPD Verification Certificate programs to offer a route for you to obtain your DPD Verification Statement.
How does this work? The program director for the DPD certificate program will review your transcripts and inform you the courses you will need to obtain a DPD verification certificate.
Below are our DPD Verification Certificate program partnerships and the contact information for each program:
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Kansas State University DPD Verification Certificate program
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Contact Heidi Oberrieder: heidio@ksu.edu
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University of Northern Colorado DPD Verification Certificate program
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Contact Lisa Caldwell: lisa.caldwell@unco.edu
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Step 2: Choose Your KADDI RDN Pathway
Route 1
Internship-Only
This option is for interns who have already earned a graduate degree and are seeking to complete their supervised practice rotations through KADDI.
- Full Time 8 Months
- Part Time 12 Months
Required Qualifications:
Overall GPA: Minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred. Graduate Degree: Must be earned from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or a foreign degree equivalent. Foreign degrees must be: - Translated into English (if applicable). - Verified by a CDR-approved agency (Foreign Degree Evaluation Agencies). Verification Statement: From an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program. A Declaration of Intent to complete DPD requirements is acceptable if completed before the program start date. Preferred Qualifications: - Excellent references. - Work or volunteer experience in dietetics or related fields. - NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered) credential.
Route 2
Combined MS/DI
For those who have not yet completed a graduate degree, this track integrates supervised practice with a fully online graduate degree.
MS/DI University Options:
University of Central Arkansas
Required Qualifications:
Overall GPA: Minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred. Verification Statement: From an ACEND-accredited DPD or FDE program. A Declaration of Intent to complete DPD requirements is acceptable if completed before the program start date. Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Not required. Bachelor’s Degree: Must be earned from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or a foreign degree equivalent. Foreign degrees must be: - Translated into English (if applicable). - Verified by a CDR-approved agency (Foreign Degree Evaluation Agencies) and the prospective university. Graduate School Application: Required for matched individuals only. Application submission is not required prior to Match Day. Preferred Qualifications: - Excellent references. - Work or volunteer experience in dietetics or related fields. - NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered) credential.
Route 3
Student-Identified Graduate Program
Complete a graduate degree from a university of your choice!
Consider our partners, Kansas State or Texas Tech!
The degree from your selected University, including Kansas State or Texas Tech, must be completed prior to graduating from the DI program (full-time or part time). Part-time is a great option for this!
Required Qualifications:
Overall GPA: Minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred. Verification Statement: From an ACEND-accredited DPD or FDE program. A Declaration of Intent to complete DPD requirements is acceptable if completed before the program start date. Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Not required. Bachelor’s Degree: Must be earned from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or a foreign degree equivalent. Foreign degrees must be: - Translated into English (if applicable). - Verified by a CDR-approved agency (Foreign Degree Evaluation Agencies) and the prospective university. Preferred Qualifications: - Excellent references. - Work or volunteer experience in dietetics or related fields. - NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered) credential.
Step 3: Connect with KADDI!
The next step in the application process involves connecting with our KADDI Program Director,
Sara Hallgren-Tillery, MA, RDN, LD, through a one-on-one meeting or a virtual open house.
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Individual Meetings: Potential interns can schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with the Program Director by reaching out through kaddi@consultingdietitians.com.
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Group Open Houses: Alternatively, applicants are welcome to attend one of our scheduled Zoom Virtual Open Houses. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the KADDI program, ask questions, and ensure alignment with your career goals.
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Find out more about open houses here.
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Step 4: Preceptor Placement Support
KADDI provides direct support in locating qualified preceptors for your rotations. We offer tools, guidance, and a nationwide network to ensure you meet all ACEND-mandated supervised practice hours.
For additional information, click here
Step 5: Complete your rotations and graduate from KADDI!
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from KADDI and receive your verification statement:
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Complete a minimum of 1000 hours (700 or more hours must be on-site)
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Complete a graduate degree
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Submit to KADDI an official transcript with the graduate degree and date earned
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Finish all assignments in the curriculum and submit preceptor evaluations
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Meet each ACEND competency for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (CRDNs) one or more times
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Must score 70% or higher to successfully meet competencies
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Complete EatrightPREP pretest question domains and practice tests
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Fulfilled all financial obligations
Once an intern has met the program requirements and has earned a graduate degree, a verification statement will be issued.
Step 6: Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist!
Completed required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated (CP), Future Graduate (FG) or International Dietitian Education (IDE) Program or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) offered through an ACEND-accredited program. Information on ACEND-accredited programs is at www.eatrightpro.org/acend.
Becoming an RDN: Final Steps
To become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist:
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Complete supervised practice through an ACEND-accredited program (DI, CP, FG, ISPP)
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Pass the national RDN exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
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Meet any state-specific licensure or certification requirements
KADDI meets the educational standards for licensure in all U.S. states. However, completion of the program alone does not automatically qualify individuals for licensure—each state’s requirements must be reviewed independently. Contact the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) here www.cdrnet.org. In order to maintain the credential, an RDN must complete continuing professional educational requirements.
Licensure — each state’s requirements must be reviewed independently. at www.cdrnet.org.
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 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 on your home state licensure website.
The ACEND Accreditation Standards require programs to publish “Information about the requirements and process to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), including education, supervised practice, passage on the CDR credentialing exam, and state certification/licensure, states for which the program meets State requirements for licensure/certification; and how the program fits into the process” (RE 7.3.d). It is recommended that programs add the statement, “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 on your state licensure website. If you need assistance locating your state licensure, please reach out to KADDI at kaddi@consultingdietitians.com or 918-574-8598.
NOTE: 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 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). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].