Application toDietetic Internships

Application toDietetic Internships

Ginny Garza, M.Ed., R.D.

Dietetic Internship Program Director

Route to R.D.Route to R.D.

Bachelor’s Degree from CADE accredited program

Complete CADE accredited Dietetic Internship

Pass national R.D. exam

All CADE Accredited Internships Provide:All CADE Accredited Internships Provide:

At least 900 hours of supervised practice

Opportunity to demonstrate ability in entry-level “Competency Statements”

Internships differ by:Internships differ by:

Emphasis area– Nutrition Therapy– Community– Foodservice Systems Management– Business/Entrepreneur– Generalist

Affiliation with university, hospital, etc. Location Length Cost

Information on Dietetic InternshipsInformation on Dietetic Internships

ADA Web Site www.eatright.org/

– Click on Accreditation and Credentialing– Click on Postbachelor’s Dietetic Internships

Directory of Dietetics Programs Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice

Experience

Applying to InternshipsApplying to Internships

Ask for Information/Application Packet Follow instructions METICULOUSLY Send for official transcripts from every

college attended

Application PacketApplication Packet

Application form available on disk from ADA

Neatness counts Written communication skills evaluated Start several months before postmark

deadline Follow directions!

Memberships, AwardsMemberships, Awards

American Dietetic Association– Dietetic Practice Groups

New Mexico Dietetic Association Society for Nutrition Education UNM Nutrition Club

– Offices held (shows commitment and responsibility)

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation

Choose people who fit the criteria for evaluators– Faculty– Work/volunteer supervisor

Ask a month before you need the letter Sign cover sheet about confidentiality Provide information to help them write

the letter (don’t be shy)– Include specific information about your

abilities and skills

Work ExperienceWork Experience

Describe key responsibilities with strong verbs– Conduct, responsible for, ensure,

maintain standards ADA standard application separates

nutrition-related (including volunteer)

GPAGPA DPD courses = courses required for BS

degree in Nutrition/Dietetics Required = in Student Handbook Additional = other courses you chose to take A = 4.0 A- = 3.67 B+ = 3.33

– See UNM catalog

For each course, multiply credit hours times grade points

Before you mail itBefore you mail it

Ask someone to review entire packet for completeness/errors

Redo, don’t erase or use white-out Don’t forget Computer Matching

Computer MatchingComputer Matching

Prioritize your choices Once form sent in to D&D Digital you

cannot change your mind You must attend either the internship

you are matched to or no internship

UNM Dietetic InternshipUNM Dietetic Internship

Generalist Program: FT and PT option Accept 8-14 applicants (up to 3 PT) FT: August through May; PT: 2 years Enrolled as a graduate student Earn 12 graduate credit hours toward MS

– 3 credit hours each semester for on-campus graduate course

– 3 credit hours each semester for supervised practice off-campus

Cost is tuition only (less than $3,000 for NM residents)

Rotations: 30 hours per week of supervised practiceRotations: 30 hours per week of supervised practice

11 weeks - Clinical Nutrition 8 weeks - Foodservice Management 8 weeks - Community Nutrition 5 weeks - Enrichment (intern chooses

area)

In each rotation:In each rotation:

intern meets each competency statement by performing planned activities in the supervised practice facility under direction of a preceptor (30-32 hours per week)

intern writes weekly journal intern attends graduate class on

campus one day per week

Upon Completion of Internship:Upon Completion of Internship:

take R.D. exam apply for state licensure if applicable

Selection Criteria for UNM Dietetic InternshipSelection Criteria for UNM Dietetic Internship

GPA for last 60 hours– minimum of 3.0

GPA for nutrition courses– minimum of 3.0

Letters of recommendation Work/Volunteer experience

– skills demonstrated– responsibility– duration

Letter of application