Nutrition
Dietetic Internship (DI)
Program Description | Goals | Curriculum | Expenses | Requirements | Applications Forms | Comments
Mission of the Dietetic Internship Program: To prepare dietetic professionals to serve the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health and well-being.
Program description
The dietetic internship (DI) is a 35-week, 18-semester hour graduate certificate program of supervised practice and didactic course work. The internship program is for students who, at the time of entrance into the program, have met two specific requirements: (1) completed the coursework required for a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and (2) received a Verification Statement making them eligible to apply to Dietetic Internship Programs. (For more information on the DPD requirements visit (www.eatright.org/Public/7782_13280.cfm). It is a general internship with a general emphasis and is based on the Standards of Education and the Competency Statements for Supervised Practice established by CADE. The DI is designed to provide interns with an opportunity to develop skills that prepare them for a competitive marketplace. The expected outcome is a competent entry-level practitioner. Graduates receive a Verification Statement that makes them eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). The program has been granted initial accreditation by CADE. The accreditation is for 10 years (until 2011).
Goals
- To prepare interns to become competent entry level practitioners
- Outcome measures:
- > 80% of graduates from each class (academic year) will successfully pass the Registration Exam for Dietitians on the first attempt.
- > 80% of graduates, over a five year period, will successfully pass the Registration Exam for Dietitians.
- > 90% of employers will indicate that graduates are performing at entry-level competence
- > 90 % of graduates who complete the 1-year survey will rate their preparation as adequate
- 100% of interns will receive > 85% on evaluations from practice sites before receiving a verification statement
- > 80% on interns will demonstrate a minimum of a 25% increase in scores from computerized exam (pre-test to post-test)
- Outcome measures:
- To develop critical thinking skills using principles of problem-based learning and portfolio development.
- Outcome measures
- 100% of interns will receive > 85% on rubrics used to assess completeness and quality of the portfolio
- > 90 % of interns will indicate on end-of-program evaluation that that they have meet all program learning outcomes and competencies
- Outcome measures
- To promote life long learning and professional growth.
- Outcome measures:
- 100% of graduates who complete the 1- year survey will indicate that the program encouraged professional growth and life-long learning
- 100% of graduates who complete the 1- year survey will indicate participation in at least one professional education activity in accordance with their Professional Development Portfolio.
- 100% of graduates who complete the 3-year survey will document participation in professional education activities in accordance with their Professional Development Portfolio.
- > 50% of graduates who complete the 3-year survey will document participation in a leadership role in a professional organization, such as committee member, newsletter editor, elected officer.
The DI covers two semesters of didactic work in combination with over 900 hours of supervised practice. Interns have two options for completion of program work. The intern can either take one graduate course with the supervised practice each semester (option A) or just complete the supervised practice without any graduate coursework (option B). For those taking the graduate classes, 15 hours can be applied to the graduate degree program. For those not taking the classes, only 9 hours can be applied to the graduate program.Option A: Fall Semester
NUTR 6002: Supervised Practice I (6)
NUTR 6104: Advanced Normal Nutrition (3)
Total Credits: 9Option A: Spring Semester
NUTR 6003: Supervised Practice II (6)
NUTR 6102: Nutrition Intervention (3)
Total Credits: 9Option B: Fall Semester
NUTR 6002: Supervised Practice I (9)
Total Credits: 9Option B: Spring Semester
NUTR 6003: Supervised Practice II (9)
Total Credits: 9The supervised practice component includes NUTR 6002 and 6003 which provide a minimum of 750 hours practice experience in the areas of clinical nutrition (acute care, critical care, renal dialysis, and long-term care), food service systems, and community nutrition (senior centers, elementary school, health fairs, health clinic, Project Open Hand, and out-patient diabetes center) and approximately 180 hours in an area of interest.
Expenses
The estimated costs of the program are:
Application Fee $50.00
Computer Matching Fee $50.00
ADA Membership (optional) $42.00 a year
Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association Membership (optional) $10 a yearClick here for information on Tuition and Fees
Application Requirements
The selection of candidates for the Dietetic Internship is competitive. Applicants must meet the requirements established by CADE of ADA for Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD), have acceptable grade point averages and scores on admission tests, and show potential for academic development and professional leadership. Admission is based upon the following:- Verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics or a declaration of intent to complete a DPD program
- Overall GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale; Professional Sciences GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and Physical, Biological Sciences GPA of a minimum 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- A minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative scores)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Work experience
- Volunteer Activities
Application Forms and Process
The Director of the Dietetic Internship appoints a Selection Committee each year to review and rank applicants on the basis of their application packet. Interviews are not required but applicants may arrange an interview with the Internship Director.An Open House is held in October and January of each year. Potential applicants have an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet and talk with current interns, tour Georgia State University, and meet some of the preceptors and faculty members. Information about the date, time, and location of the Open Houses will be placed on the website at the beginning of Fall semester.
This program participates in the computer matching process through the:
American Dietetic Association and D&D Digital Systems
Suite 301, 304 Main Street
Ames, IA 50010.
phone: (515) 292-0490
email: dnd@netins.netThe computer matching number for this program is 283.
Application packets and forms are available below. Applications for the program must be postmarked by the February deadline established by CADE. Your application packet must be complete and include all forms listed in the Application Forms section. All application information must be submitted in one envelope. Information should be word processed or typed. Click on each link in the Application Forms section to obtain instructions and the appropriate forms.
Completed application packets should be mailed to:
Office of Academic Assistance
College of Health and Human Sciences
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3995
Atlanta GA 30302-3995Required Application Materials
There are two ways to apply to the Dietetic Internship Program. You may apply online or you may print/download the application materials. Please go to the College of Health and Human Sciences Graduate Admissions Page to either apply online or download application materials.
Notification of Appointment
D&D Digital Systems will notify you regarding computer-matching results. These results will be mailed to you before the appointment date in April. You must call the Division of Nutrition at 404.651.3085 to accept your appointment on the date established by CADE.
Comments from Students“The GSU dietetic internship program, to borrow a famous phrase, Covers Dixie like the Dew. Not only does the program offer the absolute best learning experiences, it also provides invaluable networking opportunities. As a clinical dietitian I am convinced that the Georgia State program is the standard by which all other dietetic internships should be measured. Looking back it amazes me that so much could be fit into the short nine month internship. I am and will always be proud to have been associated with the GSU internship program; it is a great calling card.”
Chef Joseph E. Engelbird, RD, LD, Dietitian, Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton, GA and Culinary Arts Instructor, Art Institute of Atlanta, B.S. 2002; Dietetic Internship, 2003
“ Georgia State University’s Dietetic Internship program is multi-faceted, which allowed me to experience many different aspects of dietetics that I would not have seen or known about otherwise. I truly felt that I had received expert training and knowledge in each of these areas, making me qualified to begin my professional career. At the end of the internship, I was hired for a full-time position as a dietitian by an organization which served as one of my practice sites.”
Alene Albritton, RD, LD, Dietitian, Project Open Hand, Atlanta, GA., B.S., 2001; Dietetic Internship, 2002
“I am currently employed as a clinical dietitian in a community hospital providing medical nutrition therapy in both a general medicine and a coronary care unit. Through opportunities working with exceptional preceptors in acute care setting, the dietetic internship at GSU provided me with all of the skills that I needed to perform well and to function as an important member of a multi-disciplinary team. The comprehensive program exposed me to all angles of the practice of dietetics – not just clinical nutrition – in order to make me a well-rounded professional capable of functioning in many capacities.”
Allison Harrison, MS, RD, LD, Clinical Dietitian, Crawford Long Hospital of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, MS, 2002; Dietetic Internship, 2003
- Outcome measures: