NUTRITION

School of Health and Human Sciences

Dietetic Internship: Mission and Goals

MISSION OF THE DIETETIC INTERNSHIP

The mission of the Dietetic Internship program is to prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for positions in clinical, foodservice, and community nutrition to improve health and enhance quality of life of individuals, families and communities. Through a supervised practice curriculum, the program is structured to provide diverse learning opportunities that enable program graduates to further develop and apply their knowledge and skills in order to provide quality nutrition care in diverse practice settings. The learning environment emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, oral and written communication, problem solving, teamwork, life-long learning, service  and professional engagement.

PROGRAM GOALS WITH CORRESPONDING OBJECTIVES

PROGRAM GOAL 1: TO PREPARE GRADUATES TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS OR RELATED FIELDS.

Objectives

  • 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%.
  • The program’s first time pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam on their first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 75%.
  • At least 75% of responding employers (identified by program graduates) will report program graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice as meeting or exceeding the rating of “competent”.
  • At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 18 months for Track 1 (150% of the program length which is 12 months for Track 1) and 24 months for Track 2 (150% of the program length which is 16 months for Track 2).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

PROGRAM GOAL 2: GRADUATES WILL DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Objectives

  • At least 30% of responding program graduates will report participating in one or more service and/or professional engagement activities by 3 years post graduation.
  • At least 50% of responding program graduates will report that they serve as a preceptor for an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program by 3 years post graduation.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.