Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway
Get one step closer to earning your RDN with our alternative supervised practice pathway.
The Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) is an alternative supervised practice pathway that, upon completion, grants eligibility to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam. Only graduate degree holders are eligible to apply for the ISPP.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) provides experiences in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food service, and food systems and agriculture.
The School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness facilitates the program, but interns must be self-directed and disciplined. It is up to the intern to communicate with rotation preceptors and coordinate completion of each rotation including all required competencies, projects, assignments, and administrative paperwork.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Accreditation Information:
The University of Arizona Didactic Program in Dietetics, which includes the ISPP program, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL
60606-6995, (312) 899-0040, ext. 5400
https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND
Program Mission, Goals and Objectives:
The mission of the program is to prepare program graduates with the foundation knowledge and skills in dietetics to become competent graduates prepared for supervised practice and entry-level practice as registered dietitians nutritionist serving diverse populations worldwide.
Goal #1: Graduates will be prepared for entry into supervised practice, graduate programs or the workforce in nutrition or a related field.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 80% of ISPP Interns complete program requirements within 11 months for the full-time track or 21 months for the part-time track (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 80% of ISPP Interns will rate the overall quality of the program as "excellent" or "good."
Goal #2: Graduates will successfully apply skills in evidence-based practice, problem-solving and cultural humility and inclusivity during supervised practice, graduate programs or when in the workforce.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 80% of ISPP Interns complete program requirements within 11 months for the full-time track or 21 month for the part-time track (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fiends within 12 months of graduation.
- 80% of employers that respond to the employer survey will rate graduate's preparation for entry-level performance as average, above average, or excellent.
*Program outcome data are available upon request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Computer Matching:
The UArizona ISPP program does not participate in computer matching.
Admissions Policies:
Graduates of UArizona School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness programs are given preference when applying for the UArizona ISPP program. Consideration will be given to strong applicants who are not graduates of UArizona programs, particularly for the Distance pathway. A selection committee will select interviews based on a review of their application packet and interview.
Interns who are offered acceptance into the program will have 48 hours to respond; after 48 hours, the offer may be withdrawn. Acceptance will not be deferred. Individuals are eligible to apply for the ISPP if they are a a doctoral degree holder and have met the ISPP program prerequisites
.
Admissions Timelines:
Tucson Track applications are accepted once per year in April/May. An application timeline is posted below.
Distance Track applications are accepted three times per year depending on when the applicant wants to start. Applicants must submit their application at least 3-4 months before their intended start date to allow time for application review, establishment of contracts and intern on boarding procedures.
Distance applicants are encouraged to reach out the ISPP Coordinators to discuss their application in advance.
Distance Application Deadlines:
- January 15th to start April, May, June, or July
- April 15th to start August, September, October or November
- October 15th to start January, February, or March
2024 ADMISSIONS TIMELINE
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| April 26 | ISPP application packet due to program coordinator. Incomplete packets will not be reviewed. |
| May 3 | Top applicants contacted to schedule interviews May 6-8. |
| May 10 | Applicants notified of selection decision for ISPP. |
| July 1 | Program fee due - $10,000 |
| TBD | Mandatory ISPP Orientation |
| TBD | Tentative start date of ISPP rotations |
- Internship Application Guide 2024 - Includes costs, requirements, important dates, etc.
- DPD/ISPP Student Handbook (2024-2025)
- Work & Volunteer Experience Calculation Form
- Distance Application Form
- Memorandum of Understanding Template
- DPD Requirements Worksheet - UArizona Alumni
- DPD Requirements Worksheet - Outside Applicants
ISPP applications must be emailed in PDF format to program coordinator Kaydi Williams. Recommendation letters can be emailed directly from recommenders to Kaydi Williams.
Kaydi Williams, PSM, RDN
Graduate Program Coordinator
Email: kaydiwilliams@arizona.edu
Maria Plant DCN, RDN, CNSC, FAND
DPD/ISPP Program Director
Email: plant@arizona.edu