Dietetic Internship: Program Overview

Program Overview

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) is an intensive program of practical training in nutrition beyond the baccalaureate degree. Its goal is to provide learning experiences through which dietetic interns acquire the core professional competencies required for practice as registered dietitians with a unique emphasis combining nutrition therapy and community dietetics. The program has two tracks.

Track One-Dietetic internship

Track One is a full-time program providing over 900 hours of supervised clinical experience. The program begins in late August and ends in late May. A maximum of 16 - 20 interns are accepted annually. The clinical experiences and didactic education provide the core professional competencies for entry-level dietetic practice as well as the competencies for a unique emphasis in nutrition therapy/community dietetics. Varied areas of experience are provided to help produce the well rounded practitioners for today's continually evolving health care environment.

Track Two - Combined Internship/Master's Degree

Track Two is an innovative option combining clinical experience with graduate study. This option is administered jointly between UMDNJ and the Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Students in this track are simultaneously in, and complete all requirements of the Dietetic Internship Program at UMDNJ and the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University. The clinical experiences are identical to those in Track One. In addition, the graduate study provides students with the skills to critically evaluate and actively conduct research in nutritional sciences. A maximum of 4 students are accepted at this time. The clinical component of this combined program will be completed within two years; the length of time for completion of the Master of Science degree is project dependent.

With a strong commitment to lifelong learning, UMDNJ-SHRP offers a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Nutrition exclusively for the Registered Dietitian. Graduates of the UMDNJ Dietetic Internship Program who maintain a 3.2 GPA or better are allowed automatic admission into this graduate program. In addition, graduates of the UMDNJ Dietetic Internship Program are granted six credits toward the M. S. Degree for work completed in the Internship Program if they begin the Masters program within 5 years of completing the Internship.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Dietetic Internship Program is to provide the didactic and clinical education necessary to train dietitians that have a broad based knowledge of food, nutrient composition and the role of nutrition in regulation of body processes. Graduates of the program will be able to use this knowledge in working collaboratively with other health care professionals, educators and policy makers to promote health and alleviate many of the nutritionally related health problems existing in the community, state and nation.

The goals of the Dietetic Internship Program are:

• To provide clinical and didactic learning experiences reflecting the breadth of dietetic practice that allow dietetic students to become competent entry-level Registered Dietitians and graduates with the skills necessary to assume expanding roles in the health care environment.
• To expand the knowledge and skills needed to develop practitioners who are able to actively participate in the application and practice of research, public policy and legislative issues and development and implementation of public presentations.
• To foster attitudes and behaviors consistent with ethical, professional practice that will instill a sense of commitment and involvement in the profession and life-long learning.

Track 2 (DI/MS) has the additional goal:

• To provide students with the skills required for critically evaluating and actively conducting research in the nutritional sciences through completion of the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.

The learning experiences of the UMDNJ internship program have been selected in accordance with our program mission and goals. The program graduates dietitians dedicated to the principles of health promotion and disease prevention and trained to fulfill their professional role competently and skillfully at a level commensurate with their experience.

To prepare the student to assume the role of the dietitian, the program provides experiences with individuals of all ages both well and ill. Beginning in a supervised environment, the intern gradually acquires the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to fill the existing need for trained dietitians.

Accreditation Status

The School of Health Related Professions, as part of UMDNJ, is accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 312-899-5400.

UMDNJ - SHRP does not discriminate against qualified individuals on the basis of race, creed, national origin, or disability. The Disability Compliance Coordinator may be reached at 973-972-8594.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to providing appropriate support for its student body.