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.
Completing your dietetics internship at Harper College comes with a number of benefits:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
[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.
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.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