Overview
An integrated approach to professional dietetic training

Students can apply to enter the Integrated Dietetic Internship program while in their third year of the Foods and Nutrition program. Completion of the degree program in Foods and Nutrition and the dietetic internship can be accomplished in just four-and-a-half years. Interns complete two months of placements in clinical nutrition and foods service settings following their third year in the FN program and seven months of placements in clinical nutrition, food service management and community nutrition settings after their fourth year in the FN program. Our interns participate in a wide variety of placements with registered dietitians across Canada, including in hospital, long term care, public health, community organizations, government and even private practice. Our dedicated full-time professional practice coordinator works closely with each intern throughout the duration of the internship program to develop an individualized training plan that adequately prepares the intern for entry into the dietetic profession.

Meet Alex Gallant-Wood, Registered Dietitian and Class of 2016 graduate

alex gallant-wood working in a kitchen laboratory
alex gallant-wood working in a kitchen laboratory
alex gallant-wood working in a kitchen laboratory
Success Story
alex gallant-wood working in a kitchen laboratory

"If given the chance to choose again, I would 100% pick UPEI’s Foods and Nutrition and Dietetic Internship programs!"

 

What are some potential careers for graduates of the Integrated Dietetic Internship program?

Registered dietitians work in many settings, including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities where they work with patients and residents to help prevent and treat chronic disease like heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease. Other dietitians in these settings manage the food service, overseeing staff and ensuring that patients and residents are getting the food they need.

Dietitians also work in public health where they design and implement nutrition education programs for different target populations, work to reduce food insecurity and assist in the development of policies to improve the health of their communities.

Some dietitians work in private practice where they may do nutritional assessment and counselling for various groups such as those with chronic diseases or eating disorders or athletes on sports teams.

For more information about what dietitians do in their jobs and different work settings, check out the Dietitians of Canada website.

How to apply to the Integrated Dietetic Internship program

Foods and Nutrition students may apply to the dietetic internship program in the third year of their program. We consider the following criteria when accepting students:

  • Academic performance - students applying to the integrated internship program must have an overall GPA of 3.0 (74–76%).
  • Personal characteristics - evidence of leadership abilities, ethical behaviour, organizational and communication skills and self-directedness.
  • Involvement in community or extracurricular activities and special projects.
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience - this does not necessarily have to be nutrition or foodservice experience (although this is good), but you will need to be able to describe the kinds of skills and knowledge that you gained from the experience that are relevant to the program.
  • References - faculty will prepare a composite reference for each student applying to the internship program. It is important to attend class regularly, participate in class discussions, and come to class prepared. Students also provide references from their paid or volunteer work.
  • Essential skills - read about the essential skills and attributes for students in the dietetic internship program.

Those that meet the criteria are granted an interview (maximum of 14 students) and a maximum of 10 students are accepted into the program. Please refer to the Dietetic Internship Applicant's Handbook, a must-have resource to prepare a successful application to the Integrated Dietetic Internship program.

Need more information about Dietetic Internship (Foods and Nutrition)?

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Course Structure

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.


Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course. 


The UPEI Integrated Dietetic Internship is an accredited, competitive entry-level program that prepares Foods and Nutrition students to become registered dietitians. Dietitians are regulated health professionals with an expertise in food and nutrition, translating the science of nutrition into practical advice people can use to make healthy food choices.  

Visit the UPEI Academic Calendar to read about required courses for the Dietetic Option in Foods and Nutrition, and suggested course sequence by year of study.

Admissions Criteria
Dietetic Internship Admissions

Foods and Nutrition students may apply to the dietetic internship program in the third year of their program. We consider the following criteria when accepting students:

  • Academic performance - students applying to the integrated internship program must have an overall GPA of 3.0 (74–76%).
  • Personal characteristics - evidence of leadership abilities, ethical behaviour, organizational and communication skills and self-directedness.
  • Involvement in community or extracurricular activities and special projects.
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience - this does not necessarily have to be nutrition or foodservice experience (although this is good), but you will need to be able to describe the kinds of skills and knowledge that you gained from the experience that are relevant to the program.
  • References - faculty will prepare a composite reference for each student applying to the internship program. It is important to attend class regularly, participate in class discussions, and come to class prepared. Students also provide references from their paid or volunteer work.
  • Essential skills - read about the essential skills and attributes for students in the dietetic internship program.

Those that meet the criteria are granted an interview (maximum of 14 students) and a maximum of 10 students are accepted into the program.

Please refer to the Dietetic Internship Applicant's Handbook, a must-have resource to prepare a successful application to the Integrated Dietetic Internship program.

Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.

UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

 

Fees and Funding
Faculty of Science Programs Tuition

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards. 

Tuition

$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms. 

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

Other UPEI programs you might like

Visit the Foods and Nutrition program site and the Integrated Dietetic Internship page for more information.