The program fee is $12,000 to participate in the Dietetic Internship (DI). Additional expenses as outlined below are approximate and not included in the program fee. The intern is responsible for housing, transportation (and associated costs), and any other personal expenses incurred.
| Description | $ Amount |
|---|---|
| The U of M DI Program Fee for MN Residents and Out of State | $12,000 |
| Average Cost of Housing (based on 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apt.) | $1,200/month |
| U of M DI Program ID Badge | Included in program fee |
| Background Study Clearance Fingerprinting |
Included in program fee Approximately $10 |
| Vaccinations | Approximately $100 |
| Health and Auto Insurance | Variable |
| *Parking Fees | up to $500/program year |
| **Professional Liability Insurance | up to $50 |
| ServSafe Manager Course and Certification (optional) | up to $179 |
| Student Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | $58 |
| Required books, professional meetings, workshops and conferences | $200-300 |
| Lab Coat (mandatory at some facilities) | Approximately $50 |
| Computer with audio-visual capabilities and Internet | Variable |
Expenses
- Upon acceptance of an internship position, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required
- Full payment (less $500 deposit) is due the week of orientation. Payment plans of 2, 4, or 6 installments are also available.
- Credit and debit cards are accepted
- Program Fee and associated costs are subject to change each year
- University of Minnesota graduate students may consider maintaining active status as a Graduate School student, and register for either GRAD 999 or NUTR 8333. Follow this link for details of registration categories to decide which option best meets your needs. Confer with the Director of Graduate Studies or the FSCN Graduate Program Coordinator if questions arise.
Housing
Room and board on campus: Not Available
Interns are responsible for securing his/her own housing within the Twin Cities local area.
U of M DI Program ID Badge
Your U of M DI Program ID badge is to be worn during all supervised practice experiences. This will be in addition to any photo ID badge issued for your assigned clinical site.
Background Study Clearance
Prior to orientation, all U of M DI interns will be asked to provide information required for a background study clearance. This is to comply with the Vulnerable Adults Act which requires the Department of Human Services to perform background studies of individuals who have potential contact with patients. The background study fee is covered by the program; however, the fingerprinting fee is to be paid by each intern at the time it is completed.
COVID-19 and other Vaccination Requirements
Our Affiliate Partner rotation hospital sites have mandated that all staff, faculty, and learners in their facilities be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This creates an imperative for us to require the COVID-19 vaccine for all interns in our program prior to the start of the program year. You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible.
Required vaccinations include:
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis B Vaccination Series
- MMR (Measles/Rubeola, Mumps and Rubella)
- Pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Tuberculosis (TB) screening
- Annual Flu (Influenza)
Vaccinations must be completed prior to orientation, except the flu vaccine is due in the fall. Interns must provide sufficient documentation of vaccination compliance in advance of program's start date. The University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship and its affiliates do not provide vaccinations or testing to interns.
Health Insurance
Each intern must provide proof of health insurance with a hospitalization component on the first day or orientation. The cost of insurance will vary and cannot be estimated by the Dietetic Internship Program.
Personal Auto Liability Insurance
Sites will vary among students and rotations, with distances up to 35 miles (from the St. Paul campus). Due to various site locations and travel distance between facilities, each intern is required to have a reliable form of transportation. Public transportation is a potential option for a few rotation sites.
The University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship assumes no liability for safety in travel to or from supervised practice sites. Therefore, each intern is required to provide proof of personal auto liability insurance (a requirement by the state of Minnesota) by the first day of orientation. The cost of auto insurance will vary and cannot be estimated by the Dietetic Internship Program.
*Because there is wide variability between sites, site placements, transportation and parking options, parking expenses are difficult to estimate.
Professional Liability Insurance
Interns are required to obtain professional liability insurance at their own expense. The intern must provide a valid insurance certificate on the first day of orientation. Interns should contact the carrier recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
**The University carries professional liability insurance for U of M Graduate Student interns registered in Health Sciences degree programs who are engaged in supervised practice activities.
ServSafe Manager Course
ServSafe Manager course content is deemed helpful for Foodservice Systems & Management rotations and studying for the RDN Exam. However, obtaining certification is optional.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership
Student membership of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is mandatory in order to access the Evidence Analysis Library (EAL), tutorials, journal articles and other resources.
Additional Items
- Computer with audio-visual capabilities, internet access, and printer availability
- GPS navigation system to easily and safely navigate the Twin Cities
Upon Graduation
- For registration examination details and fees: https://www.cdrnet.org
- For information and fees for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership: http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/membership/membership-types-and-criteria
- For state licensure for dietetics professionals: https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure
Financial Aid, Loans, Scholarships
Although seated within the University of Minnesota, this program is not certified by the U.S. Department of Education for eligibility for Title IV student financial aid because it does not carry academic credit. However, interns may be able to defer repayment of existing student loans. If necessary, a letter stating your placement in the dietetic internship program can be provided. Please contact program leadership if needed.
U of M Dietetic Internship leadership encourages students to pursue scholarships that are available from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is the largest provider of dietetic scholarships to deserving students at all levels of study. The number of scholarships varies from year to year, each with a value range of $500 to $10,000 each. Contact the Foundation staff at 800-877-1600, ext. 4793 or check their scholarships web page for further information. Scholarship Recipients 2022-2023 - U of M DI Interns in maroon font.
U of M graduate students participating in the dietetic internship may be enrolled only in the credit(s) related to the U of M DI and should not have an assistantship. It is not recommended that students pursuing full-time study in the U of M DI program be actively involved in their graduate degree program.
Any intern employed on a supplemental basis must adhere to the following:
- Employment does not interfere with the internship program schedule and expectations
- Dietetic internship performance must be exemplary
Please check with program leadership if you have concerns about this.