The Harper College offers a 9-month ACEND accredited dietetic internship with a concentration in wellness. This program is intended for
students who have completed a master's degree or are currently in a master's degree
program who want to continue on and become a Registered Dietition.
The Dietetic Internship Program at Harper College will not only help you complete
your clinical experience and other requirements, but will prepare you to take the
Registration Examination for Dietitians. Students who complete this program and who
earned credentials have gone on to work in diverse settings, including health care,
food preparation/service industry, education, private practice and more.
The internship provides 1064 supervised practice hours, which may include but is not
limited to time in hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, food service
operations, health clubs, park districts, grocery stores, food science laboratories,
and community gardens.
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Program benefits
Completing your dietetics internship at Harper College comes with a number of benefits:
Lower tuition compared to nearby four-year universities. You don't need to buy books,
a credentialing exam preparation course is included, and you can even earn a stipend.
For details visit Program Costs
Experienced, caring faculty provide the same level of instruction that you will receive
through four-year universities. Meet our faculty
Dietetic internship and masters degree tracks
On January 1, 2024, The Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum
of a master’s degree to take the credentialing exam for registered dietitians. To
assist interns in this process, the Harper College Dietetic Internship provides three
tracks interns can choose from:
Track A: Intern earned a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. The master’s
degree is in nutrition or a related field.
Track B: Intern has not earned a master’s degree but is enrolled in an accredited college
or university master’s program that is 12 months or less.
Track C: Intern has not earned a master’s degree but is enrolled in an accredited college
or university master’s program that is 13- 24 months.
The Harper College Dietetic Internship partnered with the following Universities to
seamlessly provide our incoming interns with a master’s degree. Interns are not required
to attend these two universities; however, they are preferred partners.
Hear From Our Students
I made lifelong connections—both personal and professional—that not only enriched
my experience but also led to some of my first roles in the field.
Amelia || Class of 2023
From the rigor of the program, to the extensive network it provides, Harper helped
to shape me into the dietitian I had always hoped to be.
Ashley || Class of 2023
As an intern in a demanding program, it’s crucial to feel supported, and from Day
1 to graduation, Harper provided just that. I received unwavering support from my
director, fellow interns, preceptors, and the entire Harper team.
Brigid || Class of 2024
I am confident that without my Dietetic Internship from Harper College, I wouldn’t
be as competitive in the specialized field of eating disorders within the counseling
profession.
Ela || Class of 2024
You’ll receive top-tier training at a fraction of the cost of other programs, with
a strong focus on real-world, hands-on experiences. This internship was truly a blessing
for me, and I highly recommend it!
Isabel || Class of 2024
[Harper's] state of the art simulation lab provides educational experiences like that
of a larger program but with more personalized feedback and discussions with your
directors and cohort members.
Jennie || Class of 2023
The staff and preceptors are remarkable. They provided constructive feedback, encouragement,
and mentorship, which were instrumental in helping me refine my skills and develop
my confidence as a dietitian.
Kathleen || Class of 2023
Contact us
Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois, just 30 minutes outside of Chicago.
This area has convenient access to housing, highways, malls, restaurants, and shopping.
For more information about the Dietetic Internship Program, please contact: Traci Wessel, MS, RD, LDN, Director Email: twessel@harpercollege.edu
I made lifelong connections—both personal and professional—that not only enriched
my experience but also led to some of my first roles in the field.
