Dietetic Internship Program

Program Concentration: Medical Nutrition Therapy in Clinical & Community Dietetics

Phone:(908) 889-2488       
Fax: (908) 889-2505

Director:      
M. Geraldine McKay, M. Ed, R.D.
mckayge@umdnj.edu

Faculty:

Cynthia Kwiatkowski, M.S., R.D., CNSC
kwiatkca@umdnj.edu

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Please Join us at one of our Open House Events scheduled for November 16, 2012 and January 4, 2013

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Program Overview

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) is housed within the Department of Nutritional Sciences. It is an intensive full time program providing a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice in nutrition and dietetics beyond the baccalaureate degree.  A minimum of a Bachelor's degree and completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics(DPD)are required. The program provides learning experiences through which dietetic interns acquire the core professional competencies required for practice as registered dietitians as well as additional competencies to fulfill the concentration in medical nutrition therapy in clinical and community dietetics. 

Concentration Description: Medical Nutrition Therapy in Clinical and Community Dietetics

The UMDNJ Dietetic Internship Program builds on previously acquired knowledge of food, nutrition and biological sciences. Course instruction focuses on theory and techniques of nutritional evaluation, management and care, and the scientific principles upon which to plan medical nutrition therapy. Since many of the implementation strategies used by a dietitian require communication, counseling and educational skills, classroom instruction emphasizes these principles and techniques. Dietetic interns have opportunities to work collaboratively with a variety of other health professionals and diverse learning experiences are provided in areas such as:

Acute clinical care including medical, surgical, renal, intensive care/nutrition support; ambulatory nutrition care; obstetric and pediatric rotations, rehabilitation, geriatrics, oral health, diabetes, community education and food access, management and delivery of community health promotion, multi-skilling, food service systems management and specialty dietetics practice.

The dietetic interns have opportunities to observe and participate with dietitians who are practitioners who work directly with or serve as consultants to community agencies, school systems, physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals. Throughout the internship year, the interns plan and prepare teaching aids for use in patient instruction or community based health promotion and disease prevention programs, utilize a variety of current technologies and participate in research projects.

Graduates of the program are able to assess the nutritional needs of individuals and groups. Based upon this assessment, a nutrition care plan determines the type of nutrition therapy required, the treatment modality, intervention strategies, and educational needs. Implementation of the nutrition care plan occurs through the provision of appropriate foods or other forms of nutrition support, individual client counseling or community education, and follow-up evaluation.  

The competencies for the concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy in Clinical and Community Dietetics are:

1. Integrates pathophysiology, applies and interprets principles of medical nutrition therapy in patients with complicated disease states and conditions.

2. Conducts individualized comprehensive counseling and education sessions for patients/clients with diabetes and renal disease.

3. Develops, implements and evaluates a comprehensive, interactive community-based food and nutrition education program targeting adolescents located in a school setting.

The program offers two tracks.

Track I: Dietetic Internship only through UMDNJ

A maximum of sixteen students (dietetic interns) are admitted into Track I on an annual basis and complete the program as UMDNJ-SHRP students. The on-site requirements begin in late August and continue through late May of the following year. Graduates are awarded a certificate solely from UMDNJ-SHRP attesting to their successful completion of the program, receive a Verification statement and they become eligible for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to take the Registration Examination with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Track 2: Dietetic Internship through UMDNJ and Master's Degree with Rutgers University

Students( dietetic interns) in Track II, the Combined Masters-Dietetic Internship Program with Rutgers University, are admitted as students into both UMDNJ-SHRP and Rutgers University, Department of Nutritional Sciences and are required to meet the admissions and graduation requirements for both institutions. This track has a maximum enrollment of four students. The first semester is spent at UMDNJ-SHRP completing half of the required supervised practice hours. The next two semesters are dedicated to graduate courses and Master's thesis research at Rutgers University. Students return to UMDNJ-SHRP in the spring of the second year to complete the second half of the supervised practice hours.  Upon completion of the supervised practice requirements, students are awarded a certificate from UMDNJ-SHRP, receive a Verification Statment, are prepared to meet the requirements for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and are eligible to take the Registration Examination with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In the following summer, students return to Rutgers University to complete the writing and defense of the Masters thesis. Fulfillment of the academic requirements for the Master of Science Degree are then completed at Rutgers University with the conferral of the degree granted by Rutgers, the State University. 

Once accepted to the program, students in both Track 1 and 2 complete an independent summer course prior to beginning supervised practice rotations.

Program Mission

The Dietetic Internship Program at UMDNJ-SHRP has a unique mission that is consistent with the preparation of entry-level registered dietitians. The program is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in Dietetics and Nutrition by providing the clinical and didactic education necessary to train competent, critically thinking and compassionate dietetic practitioners to apply a broad knowledge base of food, nutrient composition and the role of nutrition in the regulation of body processes. Graduates of the program are able to perform competently, work independently and collaboratively with other health professionals, educators and policy makers to promote health and positively impact the nutritional status of individuals within the community, state, national and global environments.  They are well-rounded practitioners able to adapt with the evolving healthcare environment. The mission of the Dietetic Internship Program is compatible with the University, School and Department Mission statements.

Program Goals and Outcomes

The goals of the Dietetic Internship Program for both Tracks 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 II (DI/MS) has the additional goal:

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

Program Outcomes (Track I and II)

 90% of the students who enroll in the DI program will complete the program requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion.  ( Expected completion is 10 months with a maximum completion of 15 months).

 80% of graduates, over a 5 year period will successfully pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians on the 1st attempt.

90% of employers who respond to a graduate employer survey will rate the graduates performance as meeting or exceeding expectations.

50% or more of graduates will participate in one of the following activities: Public Policy/Legislative Issues, Public and Professional presentations.

25% of gradutes who respond to an alumni survey will have enrolled in an advanced degree program and/or seek certification in a specialty practice area at 5 years or longer following graduation.

Additional Program Outcome (Track II):

90% of students enrolled in this track will complete the MS Degree Requirements within 4 years following completion of the supervised practice requirements.

          The learning experiences of the UMDNJ internship program have been selected in accordance with our program mission, goals and outcomes. 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.

Lifelong Learning at UMDNJ SHRP

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 SHRP Dietetic Internship Program who maintain a 3.2 GPA or better are granted admission into this graduate program after submitting a complete application and interviewing with the program faculty. In addition, graduates of the UMDNJ SHRP Dietetic Internship Program are granted six credits toward the M.S. Degree if they begin the Master's program within 5 years of completing the Internship Program.
  

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 Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 312-899-5400.
In June 2012, the program received continued full accreditation status through 2021 for both Track 1 and 2.

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.