Dietetic Internship Graduate Program

The Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences at the Florida State University offers a graduate program with a Dietetics Internship. Successfully completing an accredited dietetics internship is the second step in obtaining the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential.

To become credentialed as a registered dietitian (RD), a student must:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree with course work or satisfactorily complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program accredited by the Accreditation Counci for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
2. Complete an ACEND accredited post-baccalaureate dietetic internship (DI), such as this one offered at The FSU.
3. Pass the national registration examination for dietitians.

A license to practice dietetics in the state of Florida is required by law and is regulated by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance of the Florida state Department of Health.

Accreditation

The Florida State University DI Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Commission can be reached through The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600 (ext. 5500) [http://www.eatright.org/ACEND].

Graduate Program: Overview

Graduates of the Florida State University Dietetic Internship Program are competent professionals who demonstrate lifelong commitment to education, professional growth and provide outstanding service to their employers, profession and community.

The combined Master of Science - Dietetic Internship (MS-DI) at Florida State University prepares dietetic practitioners in the areas of medical nutrition therapy, sports nutrition, food service management and community nutrition. The Master’s degree and internship are usually completed in two years. The comprehensive examination for non-thesis MS students, Ph.D. preliminary examination or thesis defense must be passed before verification of completion of the internship can be completed. After completion of the DI program, the graduate will receive a verification of completion statement and will be eligible to sit for the RD examination. 

Mission Statement (3.6.2.1)

The mission of the Florida State University’s Internship in Dietetics, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, is to provide a post-baccalaureate route for students to complete the experiential requirements needed to take the national registry examination for certification as registered dietitians (RD’s). The program is intended to provide eligible students with supervised practice in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition and foodservice systems management to enhance their understanding and ability to apply principles of nutrition science and dietetics beyond the baccalaureate or DPD level. This program provides interns with an emphasis in either clinical nutrition or sports nutrition providing a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised experience.
The mission of the Internship in Dietetics is consistent with the mission of the University, which is to serve as a center for advanced graduate and professional studies. It is also consistent with the mission of the College of Human Sciences and the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences which is to enhance the well-being of individuals and families through educational activities focused on research, health, the environment and technology.

 
Program Goals and Outcomes (3.6.2.1)

Goal 1:  Prepare graduates to become successful, competent registered dietitians

• Outcome 1:  Over a five year period, the pass rate for DI graduates taking the registration examination for the first time will be at least 80%.
• Outcome 2:  Over a five year period, 70% of DI graduates who sought employment in dietetics will be employed within three months of program completion.
• Outcome 3:  Over a five year period, 90% of employers/supervisors who responded to the survey will express satisfaction with the performance of the FSU DI program graduates.

Goal 2:  Provide interns with a quality education and experiential learning which will facilitate completion in a timely manner

• Outcome 1:  Over a 5 year period, 90% of enrolled students will complete the program requirements within three years.
• Outcome 2:  Over a five year period, 80% of DI graduates will agree that their internship experiences enable them to successfully perform in an entry level position in dietetics.
• Outcome 3:  Over a five year period, 80% of DI interns will agree that their internship rotations provided core competencies expected by entry level dietitians.

Requirements for Admission to Dietetic Internship

• Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
• Applicants must be accepted into one of the MS programs in the department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences at Florida State University.
• Evidence of a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for DPD courses AND a minimum combined GRE score of 295 (with no portion of the GRE below 145) and a writing score of 3.5 or higher for GRE exams taken after August 1, 2011.
• Three letters of recommendation - one from your DPD director, one from a DPD instructor other than your DPD director, and one from an employer (if no employer exists, then a second letter from another instructor is acceptable).
• Good standing in the institution of higher learning last attended.

Please see the following links for more information:

Prospective Students
For more information about application and admissions to the program, estimated program costs and more

Current Students
For more information on curriculum, and policies and procedures and more

Preceptors
For more information on becoming a preceptor, and policies and procedures for preceptors

For additional graduate information email: Dr. Maria T. Spicer, Internship Director (850-644-1828)

Maria Spicer PhD, RD, LD/N Dietetics Internship Program Director mspicer@fsu.edu

The Dietetic Internship of The Florida State University adheres to the University’s nondiscrimination policies.