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Dietetic Internship

The dietetic internship (DI) is a supervised practice program that enables graduates to establish eligibility to write the registration examination for dietitians and to apply for active membership in the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The DI provides a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice experience to meet the competencies for entry-level dietitians and the standards of education set forth by Commission on Accreditation in Dietetics (CADE), the accrediting arm of ADA. The Dietetic Internship is offered through the Nutrition and Food Science (NFS) and Public Health Nutrition track in the Urban Public Health (UPH) program in the School of Health Sciences - a specialized unit of Hunter which offers programs in health related professions.

DI Program Mission Statement: The mission of the Hunter College Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is to provide students with a rigorous, high quality educational and supervised practice experience, which will prepare them as competent and effective dietetic practitioners with a focus in urban public health and community nutrition. The Hunter College DI Program provides interdisciplinary practicum and didactic experiences that will prepare dietetic interns to attain entry-level competencies in nutrition therapy, food service systems management, community nutrition, and public health nutrition. Dietetic interns will develop ethical values consistent with professional health care and abide by codes of practice while practicing within diverse multiethnic urban communities. Interns are encouraged to obtain the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree through the Urban Public Health (UPH) Program. The combination of the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential and the MPH will enhance opportunities for graduates to practice in community settings.
DI Program Schedule & Components: The DI program is offered once a year on a full time basis. It begins in the first week of September and continues through the last week in May. This 39-week program provides students with 35 weeks of supervised practice and didactic experiences and 4 weeks of vacation. Students are required to gain experience in all areas of dietetics: clinical, community, and food service systems management.
FAQs
DI Eligibility Requirements: Students must meet the following criteria for entrance to the Dietetic Internship.
DI Application Procedure: The Dietetic Internship admissions process requires three separate applications and fees:
DI Selection Procedure: A selection committee evaluates each applicant's promise as a dietetic practitioner. Acceptance into the program is not influenced by gender, age, sexual orientation, martial status, race, creed, national origin, color disabilities or handicap.
Evaluation of Dietetic Internship Applications
DI/MPH Combined Degree: The Dietetic Internship (DI) is housed in the Urban Public Health (UPH) program, which grants a Masters in Pubic Health (MPH) degree in Community Health Education with a specialization in Nutrition. The curriculum includes strategies of preventive medicine; models of health care delivery, and health policy designed to prepare graduates for careers in public health nutrition at local, national and international levels. Students who have applied to or been accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program may also apply to the MPH program prior to beginning the DI program in September or during the internship program.
DI Accreditation: The Dietetic Internship Program within the Urban Public Health Program's specialization in Nutrition and Food Science at Hunter College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-4876.
Prior Assessed Learning
Hunter College – Distance Dietetic Internship Application