Become an RDN | KADDI

KADDI RDN PATHWAY

Pathway for Applying to KADDI

Step 1: Application and Admission Requirements

Route 1: Internship-Only Option

This option is for interns who have already earned a graduate degree and are seeking to complete their supervised practice rotations through KADDI.

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 Option

This option is for interns who wish to complete both their Master’s degree and supervised practice rotations through KADDI. Interns must enroll in one of the following programs:

University of Alabama
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.
  - MSDI - Alabama | KADDI
  - MSDI - UCA | KADDI

Preferred Qualifications:

Excellent references.
Work or volunteer experience in dietetics or related fields.
NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered) credential.

Step 2: Virtual Open House

The next step in the application process involves connecting with our KADDI Program Director,

Sara Hallgren-Tillery, RDN through a virtual open house.

Individual Meetings: Potential interns can schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with the Program Director:
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.

Preceptor Placement Assistance

KADDI is committed to supporting our interns throughout their journey, including assistance with locating qualified preceptors for required rotations. This ensures all interns meet ACEND’s supervised practice requirements and are positioned for success in completing their internships.

Open House

Pathway for the KADDI Program

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Pathway to Graduating from KADDI

In order to graduate, an intern must:

Pass all of the assignments in the program
Complete 1000+ rotation hours, 700 minimum on-site hours
Complete final competency exam in order to receive a verification statement which is required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration in order to sit for the national credentialing examination

KADDI staff sends the required paperwork to CDR. After CDR approves, within two weeks of graduation from the internship, graduates are notified by Pearson Vue they can schedule the RDN exam.

KADDI provides six verification statements with original signatures at program completion.

Pathway to Becoming an RDN

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.

Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's Website at www.cdrnet.org. In order to maintain the credential, an RDN must complete continuing professional educational requirements.

Licensure may be required. Information for specific states is available 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.

KADDI IS AN ACEND-ACCREDITED SUPERVISED PRACTICE PROGRAM

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential - Quoted from Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics Factsheet available at:

ACEND

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].

I do think that KADDI helped push me to chase my dreams of wanting to start my own business here in the near future. I also think it allowed me to gain confidence more quickly given I did feel like I was on my own for most of it.

- Deserai Settles, 2022 Intern