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Dietetic Internship

Program Description

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (www.umass.edu) is an 11-month, 12- credit, non-degree post-baccalaureate program that provides the practical experience necessary to qualify a student to take the nationally-administered Registered Dietitian (R.D.) examination. The philosophy of the program is based on our recognition that in many geographic areas there is a need for broadly-trained dietitians, and that many students benefit from exposure to a wide variety of practice settings before deciding where to specialize. Our program strives to provide an opportunity for the best-qualified applicants to participate in varied and enriching supervised practice experiences that can form the broad basis for a career in any segment of the field of dietetics.

Interns spend a minimum of 24 hours per week in a field site, gaining experience in a variety of nutritional care, food service management, and community nutrition activities. In addition, interns meet two-three times per month for seminar and other academic and networking sessions. Many health-care facilities and other organizations within a 60-mile radius of Amherst cooperate with the University of Massachusetts/Amherst to provide the experiences necessary to meet all the required competencies. Most of the intern's time is spent at the field sites, with only a small portion of time spent at the University itself.

Our program provides individualized attention, as interns most often work one-on-one with their preceptors. Our culturally and intellectually vibrant area, within easy driving distance of Hartford, Boston, and New York City, has attracted interns from around the country. Several graduates have made this picturesque location their home following the internship. To talk with current or recent interns about their experiences in the program, contact the Program Director.

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association. The address and phone number of CADE are 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-9431, 312/899-5400.

In order to successfully complete the Dietetic Internship, interns are expected to meet all the specific competencies, established by CADE for each rotation. Competencies are based on learning experiences designed to simulate a wide range of activities practiced by entry-level dietitians. Interns work with preceptors in each field site and with the Internship Director to insure that all competencies are met. Additional work (e.g. reading, research) is required above and beyond the minimum 24 hours/week in the field site, especially during the clinical rotation. The program becomes full-time (i.e. 40 hours/week) for the staff relief portion of the clinical rotation (approximately the last three weeks of that rotation).