Dietetic Internship

The Russell Sage College Dietetic Internship Program is accredited to accept 30 interns annually in the Onsite & Distance (Remote) Tracks

The dietetic internship incorporates three graduate courses totaling 1,280 hours of supervised experience in a variety of settings with two graduate coursework classes. Activities to achieve competencies for the concentration area, communications, are integrated into all five courses.

Those who complete the program will receive a Verification Statement and graduate certificate.  Interns have the option of applying the graduate certificate to a master’s degree in Applied Nutrition (a 2-year MS/DI) or Health Services Administration. The Internship Director is available for advisement about graduate course work.

Beginning on January 1, 2024 a minimum requirement of a master’s degree is required to take the registration examination for dietitians. For more information, please visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s website. 

Full-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within the standard 10-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 15 months to complete the program.

Part-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within a 20-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 33 months to complete the program.

Part-time positions have been approved by ACEND. Part-time interns complete the Dietetic Internship program over two academic years rather than one. Part-time schedules can vary and interns must work closely with the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator for scheduling and registration requirements.

All interns will be actively completing practicum and related coursework during the fall, spring and summer III semesters. Full-time interns are in practicum for 40 hours/week and part-time interns complete 24 hours/week of practicum (excluding holidays and allotted time between practicum rotations). These hours do not include lunch break.

Each semester will include a virtual orientation, advising sessions at minimum of once/semester and end of semester presentations.

In addition to practicum interns will complete NTR-525, Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (fall or spring semesters — will take concurrent to or before acute care clinical rotation) and NTR-555, Nutrition Research: Interpretation and Communication (fall, spring or summer semesters – will take concurrent with management or community rotation).  Both NTR-525 and NTR-555 are offered fully online.

The following components must satisfactorily be completed to receive the Verification Statement, which qualifies the intern to sit for the registration examination for dietitians.

DI Program requirements must be completed within two years of the start date.

The following materials will also be completed during the last week of the DI: paperwork required by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) to qualify for the RD exam; exit interviews and any other required business is completed. Completion packets which include Verification Statements are mailed.

All rotations are appointed by the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator. Interns are provided a preference survey upon acceptance into the program. The Dietetic Internship program coordinator works diligently to schedule and secure all onsite interns placements and great effort goes into matching placements with intern preferences. Interns will receive placement roughly a month prior to the start of the program.

Interns are assigned to a variety of facilities and transportation to and from each site is the responsibility of each intern. The director and coordinator will make every effort to arrange placements within close proximity to where the intern will be residing throughout the program, however, there are times when up to one-hour of travel may be required.

The Dietetic Internship Certificate Program is subject to Gainful Employment Regulations.

The Dietetic Internship program at Russell Sage’s School of Health Sciences is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND is the only accrediting agency for dietetics education recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). The address and telephone number of ACEND are: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, 312-899-4876. On the web: www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Russell Sage College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.