ACEND Accreditation

Accreditation Status

The The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's School of Public Health Dietetic Internship has been awarded Accreditation by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accreditation has been confirmed through ACEND through June 30, 2030.

Accreditation and the Credentialing Process

Students completing the academic requirements from a Didactic Program (DPD) are eligible to apply to the UTHealth Dietetic Internship.

Upon successful completion of the Dietetic Internship and Masters Program, students are eligible to take the Dietitians Registration Examination through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The exam requirements are set by CDR. The new RDN is qualified to apply for the dietetic licensure through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The UTHealth Dietetic Internship Program and supervised practice is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and meets the exam requirements.

If the Dietetic Intern has any questions related to the internship, they should first address them with the Dietetic Internship Program Director, and Co-Director or Assistant Director of the Dietetic Internship. If they are unable to resolve their issues or concerns, the Dietetic Intern is encouraged to contact the UTHSC, Director of the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. For unresolved issues, the Dietetic Intern may contact the Dean of the School of Public Health.

ACEND only addresses issues related to non-compliance with ACEND accreditation standards. ACEND has established a process for reviewing complaints against accredited programs in order to fulfill its public responsibility for assuring the quality and integrity of the educational programs that it accredits. Any individual, for example, student, faculty, dietetics practitioner and/or member of the public may submit a complaint against any accredited program to ACEND. However, the ACEND board does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admissions, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty or students. It acts only upon a signed allegation that the program may not be in compliance with the Accreditation Standards or policies. The complaint must be signed by the complainant. Anonymous complaints are not considered. ACEND has a Complaint Investigation Form which can be found online. For complaints related to the program’s noncompliance with ACEND accreditation standards, students may submit a written complaint to: The Accreditation Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) at The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, phone:(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400 toll free: 1 + (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400, E-mail: [email protected]