Nutrition and Dietetics

The Acadia Dietetic Practicum Program began in 1999 and is a partnership between the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia and Nova Scotia Health Western Zone. We are accredited by Equal, through Accreditation Canada.

The purpose of the Acadia Dietetic Practicum Program is to provide accredited practical training opportunities for Acadia University’s School of Nutrition and Dietetics students (Dietetics Option). Our objectives are to ensure training environments that supports achievement of the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) required for success in passing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE), and for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian.

We offer workplace-based rotations with registered dietitians to practicum students in one of three regions of the Western Zone: the Annapolis Valley, South Shore or Southwest.  Practicum rotations include the core areas of Nutrition Care (long term care, acute care, and ambulatory medical nutrition therapy), Management (food services and administration), Population and Public Health and Research.

Our program accepts a maximum of 11 students per year into the integrated and post-degree cohorts.

• Integrated
  • Level 1: 16 weeks, May to August between third and fourth year.
  • Level 2: 32 weeks, May to December after the fourth year of study

• Post-Degree
  • 48 consecutive weeks, September to August after graduation

*Research weeks may be dispersed across the entirety of the 48 week program and timing will depend on the needs of the research undertaken.

Our students are supported by a team of professionals to succeed in this program. All students participate in a one-week orientation co-led by Acadia and Nova Scotia Health to ensure clarity in roles and expectations, and refreshers on key skills, prior to practicum.

Success in the program requires students to meet all academic requirements for the degree program and practicum program, including meeting the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEPs) required to function as an entry-level dietitian in Canada, as outlined by the accreditation standards.

Entry to the Practicum Program is competitive and based on strong academic achievement, participation in course work and class attendance, active involvement in volunteer activities, favourable references, and an interview process that allows you to demonstrate your readiness.

Eligibility Criteria

• Full-time Acadia BSN (Dietetics Option) student
• Minimum GPA of 2.67, maintained after acceptance to the program
• Minimum grade of B- in all of: NUTR 1323 (Human Nutrition 2), NUTR 1343 (Food 2), NUTR 2023 (Communications in Nutrition & Dietetics), and NUTR 3003 (Principles of Nutritional Assessment), and a minimum of C- in any remaining nutrition and dietetics courses, maintained after acceptance to the program

Application Process

Step 1: Intent to Apply Form. Submitted to Practicum Coordinator via email judy.lowe@acadiau.ca by 4:30 pm ATL time November 20, 2026.

You need to submit this form if you are applying to any of the following:

• • Acadia Dietetic Practicum Program
  • Eastern Health Dietetic Internship Program
  • Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program
  • Nova Scotia Health Authority Central Zone Dietetic Internship Program
  • The Moncton Hospital Graduate Dietetic Internship Program
  • Fraser Health Dietetic Practicum Program

On this form you indicate three referees. Reference requests will be sent to your referees directly by the Practicum Coordinator and returned via reply email. Carefully select references that can speak to all components of the reference form. You will need one academic reference (either an SND composite reference, or a reference from a faculty member in another department at Acadia, or from another university, and two others who can speak about your work, volunteer, and/or character. All references must be returned to the Practicum Coordinator by the deadline, and are confidential (only seen by the Practicum Coordinator and the selection committee members).

Step 2: Application Package. Submit the following as one document to the Practicum Coordinator, via email judy.lowe@acadiau.ca by 4:30 pm ATL time, January 15, 2027.

1. 1. Application Form
   2. Cover Letter
      • Addressed to: Acadia Dietetic Program Selection Committee, School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Box 68, 12 University Avenue, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6.
      • Format: business letter format with a professional tone, including grammar, sentence structure and correct spelling; maximum 1 page, single spaced, minimum 11-point font, with standard margins.
      • Content: describe your interest in the Acadia Practicum Program, including how it relates to your career goals; explain how your studies and experiences have prepared you for the program.
   3. Resume
      • Format: maximum length 2 pages, single spaced, minimum 11-point font, 1-inch margins.
      • Content: education, work and/or volunteer experience, describing for each the skills, responsibilities, and abilities gained that are relevant to dietetics.
      • Highlight: memberships, awards, certificates, research activities, extracurricular activities.
   4. Transcript – An unofficial Acadia University transcript, downloadable from Colleague Self-Service under "Transcript Requests."

The following are considered valuable in the selection process.
•    Practical experience through school, service or paid work
•    Leadership potential
•    Strong organizational and time management skills
•    Good judgment, moral integrity, trustworthiness, and honesty
•    Dependability, strong work ethic and attention to detail
•    Good verbal and written communications skills
•    Ability to maintain confidentiality
•    Recognize and respect the roles of interdisciplinary team members
•    Ability to tolerate and manage stress
•    Initiative and self-directed learning
•    Self-awareness of strengths and limitations
•    Ability to accept and use performance feedback for growth
•    Flexibility and adaptability to rapidly changing environments
•    Uncertainty tolerance

Step 3: Interview. The dates for the 2027 applications are February 22-23, 2027.

The Selection Committee consists of preceptors/dietitians representing the Western Zone of NSH and other partner organizations, who review all applications that meet eligibility criteria and determine a short list of applicants for interviews. Short-listed students  will be invited to an in-person interview, held in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics. The format of the interview process will be indicated upon invitation. Applicants who participated in the interview process will be notified of the decisions of the Selection Committee within 2 weeks of the interviews.

It is essential that students are willing and able to accept placement sites in any one of the three regions of the Western Zone of NSH. Applicants will rank their placement location preferences, which will be taken into consideration as is possible.It is essential that students are willing and able to accept placement sites in any one of the three regions of the Western Zone of NSH. Applicants will rank their placement location preferences, which will be taken into consideration as is possible.

Upon Admission

Students accepted to the Acadia Dietetic Practicum Program must refer to the Dietetic Practicum Manual under Policies and Procedures for all pre-placement information and requirements, including pre-placement documentation, immunizations, pre-clinical courses, orientation and expectations.

Practicum students are full-time Acadia students and the training placements are unpaid. As full time students, domestic students may be eligible for student assistance if they are residents of most Canadian provinces.

Students are responsible for covering a number of costs while in the program, including:

• Payments related to pre-placement documentation and training (e.g., Criminal Records Check, Immunizations, etc. See Dietetic Practicum Manual).
• Tuition for the two practicum courses: NUTR 4033 and 4043. Tuition fees are equivalent to two (3h) courses as set in the most current academic calendar.
• Accommodation, food, travel, parking.
• Travel to all placement locations. The ability to travel to the various host placement sites throughout Western Nova Scotia are essential. A registered, reliable, motorized vehicle is needed as there is limited access to public transportation in rural Nova Scotia and NSH insurance policies prohibit students from travelling in the personal vehicles of preceptors.