Harper College

Dietetic Internship

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.

Lab 1 photointerior of a kitchen with a variety of equipment

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
  • State of the art equipment and lab spaces, including the Nutrition Lab and Center for Professional Simulation and Innovation, along with an on-site Health and Recreation Center where you can gain experience in one-on-one nutrition counseling, wellness presentations, and experience working with collegiate athletes, students, faculty, and community members. Check out our Program Activities photo gallery
  • 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.

Rosalind Franklin University LogoOhio University logo

Hear From Our Students

Amelia smiling for the camera
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 LinkedIn Logo
Ashley smiling for camera
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 LinkedIn Logo
Brigid poses for a photo with her dog
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 LinkedIn Logo
Ela poses by a table with cakes
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 LinkedIn Logo
Isabel sits on a bench
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 LinkedIn Logo
Jennie smiles for the camera
[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 LinkedIn Logo
Kathleen smiles for the camera
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 LinkedIn Logo

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

Explore the Dietetic Internship Program

Last Updated: 5/5/25