Brief Rotation Overview

Students will spend approximately 256 hours (eight 4-day weeks) in a food service management (FSM) rotation, gaining managerial experience in a food service environment. Most FSM rotations are located within school or healthcare systems. Other opportunities for FSM experience may be available including the VA, Meals-on-Wheels facilities and Head Start programs. Completion of the ServSafe for managers training (or its equivalent) must be done prior to starting the FSM rotation.

Students will spend approximately 256 hours (eight 4-day weeks) in a community nutrition rotation, gaining experience and building skills in a variety of settings within the community. This rotation offers the most diverse opportunities for students ranging from the Food Bank of Western Mass to a pediatric endocrine clinic.

Students will spend approximately 384-480 hours (12-15 4-day weeks) in a clinical rotation. A pre-clinical workshop is held to review the basics of MNT and A & P, which prepares students for their in-person clinical experience. Students will also spend 48 hours (two 3-day weeks) in long-term care (LTC) specializing in gerontological nutrition and dementia.

Additionally, students spend 48 hours (two 3-day weeks) at a Veterans Affairs (VA) rotation where they focus on individual and group nutrition counseling experiences. Students also choose a specialty rotation (“plan your own - PYO”) where they will spend 64 hours (two 4-day weeks) working in an area of personal interest. While students are encouraged to reach out to individual preceptors (this encourages networking and fosters initiative), the director has a list of rotation options and contact information from which to choose. It is not expected that students facilitate the PYO rotation solely on their own.