Dietetic Internship

Department

Department of Nutrition, Health and Human Performance

Degree Type

Internship

Dietetic Internship Mission Statement

The Meredith College Dietetic Internship Program builds on the academic preparation of the Didactic Program in Dietetics by providing supervised practice experiences in clinical nutrition, public health nutrition and food service management. The program cultivates entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who are eligible for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam. Using evidence-based learning and application, Dietetic Interns will strive for professional competence, leadership roles and service to the community.

Internship Goals

The program will produce competent graduates that are ready for entry-level positions in the field of nutrition/dietetics, and/or advanced degree programs in nutrition, dietetics, or related fields.
The program will produce graduates that provide leadership or service, professionally or in the community.

Accreditation Status

The Meredith College Dietetic Internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Prior Assessed Learning Policy

Meredith College Dietetic Internship (DI) participates in the Prior Assessed Learning Policy (PAL) process. Students who believe they have relevant nutrition and dietetics experience may apply for PAL, which may count as hours towards their supervised practice experience and assignments/competencies.

Credit is granted based on what was learned during the experience and identified competencies rather than how many hours were worked. Dietetic Internship assignments/competencies need to be met with adequate depth and breadth and meet, a a minimum, entry-level skills according to established DI evaluation criteria.

Any credit granted will shorten the required hours/length of the internship. Tuition rates will remain unchanged. there is no fee to review the student's PAL application.

To qualify, a student must have completed experiences that meet the following criteria:

All previous coursework or experiences required by the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are excluded from consideration for PAL credit. Experiences must have been completed after earning the Didactic Practice in Dietetics (DPD) Verification statement.
All experiences submitted for PAL must be less than six years old.
Learning that is part of a hands-on educational program may be considered (i.e. practicum completed for graduate degree credit).
All PAL applications are reviewed, and approvals are granted case-by-case.
Meredith College DI may award up to 160 hours of PAL credit per intern for qualified experience(s).
Once the intern receives confirmation that PAL credit has been granted, the details of the PAL credit will be provided in writing, any missing competencies will be explained, any action required by the student will be included, and the hours will be applied toward the program's total required supervised practice hours. Tuition will not be reduced if approval for PAL is granted.
Regardless of the number of PAL credits granted, interns will be required to attend all class days and complete any program-specific project/presentation demonstrating knowledge and application.
Please remember that your internship is a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow in your professional experience. You might not want to shorten that time, even if you can. The DI is a great way to broaden and deepen your experience and gain professional contacts. Once you being working as an RD, it is unlikely you will have access to the wide variety of experiences and quality of mentorship that a preceptor can give.
The Internship Director will make the final decision to approve PAL.
Related practice areas include:
1. Food Service Management
2. Community Nutrition (WIC, Public Health Nutritionist, etc.)
3. Community Nutrition (Wellness)
4. Credit will not be given for any acute care clinical experiences.

Examples of prior experiences may include:

Public Health Nutritionist
WIC Nutritionist
Food Service Director/Manager or Supervisor
Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR)

Procedure:

Students interested in applying for PAL credit will contact the Program Director regarding their interest. The student must indicate which rotation(s) they are applying for PAL.
1. Food Service Management
2. Community Nutrition - WIC/Public Health
3. Community Nutrition - Wellness
Intern must complete and submit all required forms and documentation in the form of an e-portfolio (PAL Competency Documentation Application) via email to the Program Director by:
- Spring Match: December 1st. Students will receive communication regarding the amount (if any) of PAL credit received by January 15th.
- In addition, students will have the opportunity to apply for PAL upon acceptance to the program.

Documentation e-portfolio submission should include, but not limited to:

Resume, including all relevant job titles and total hours worked in each position
Detailed job descriptions
A comprehensive portfolio that includes samples of projects, reports, presentation, audits (safety, sanitation, HACCP), lesson plans, meeting notes, nutrition education materials, menus, newsletters, marketing content, in-service training sessions, theme meals, budgeting, inventory, nutrition counseling notes, etc.
Job Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
A written summary of work performed, hours worked, responsibilities and skills achieved is to be countersigned by the supervisor. Students must include the supervisor's name, title, and contact information
Completed Meredith College Dietetic Internship rotation evaluation(s) for related PAL assignments by a direct supervisor - please reach out to the DI Director at ostrowsk@meredith.edu to obtain these evaluations

Programs:

Traditional Pathway
Meredith College admits a maximum of 12 interns. Visit the Traditional Pathway website.

Site Preceptor Pathway (SPP)
Meredith College admits a maximum of 12 interns. Visit the SPP website.

Distance Pathway (DP)

Meredith College admits a maximum of 8 interns. Visit the DP website.

Certification of Program Completion
The intern who successfully completes the Dietetic Internship program and has earned a graduate degree will receive a Program Verification Statement signed by the Program Director. This allows the intern to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam for Dietitian Nutritionists.