Dietetic Internship
The Dietetic Internship (DI) at Queens College offers an intern the opportunity to acquire the essential knowledge and skills for a position as an entry-level dietitian. Interns are placed in a variety of local facilities to enhance their basic skills in the practice of dietetics. The curriculum is based on the Standards of Education of the Accreditation Counsel for Education in Nutrition and Dietetic (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND formerly ADA). Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be eligible to sit for the Dietetic Registration Examination, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). The Program is fully accredited by ACEND through 2020. The address for ACEND is 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. The telephone number is 800/877-1600, ext.5400
The Dietetic Internship is part of the Nutrition Specialty in the Master of Science Program in Nutrition and Exercise (329NU). Therefore, all people who apply for the Dietetic Internship must apply separately to the graduate program by the deadline date of the year they expect to enter the DI. The MS degree does not have to be completed for verification of completion of the internship.
Program Mission
The mission of the Queens College Dietetic Internship is: To prepare entry-level dietetics practitioners in a manner that promotes flexibility and innovation in the increasingly global society.
The Program
Each student will be required to work in one or more facilities, assigned by the Queens College Program Director, to complete successfully a minimum of 1305 hours of experience. Students must work full-time or part time for a minimum of 24 hours per week in the assigned facility. Students will be required to gain experience in all areas of Dietetics. The program emphasis area is Community Nutrition.
Entrance Requirements
Minimum of a 3.0 GPA in prior college work to be considered for admission to the program and maintenance of a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in graduate work at Queens College.
The Verification of DPD completion from a program accredited by ACEND.
Matriculated status in the Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES) Graduate program (see Queens College Web site www.qc.cuny.edu for further information regarding graduate admissions.
Recency of dietetics education (within the past 5 years)
Willingness to work as a member of a team and ability to function independently
A personal interview may be required as part of the selection process
Program Goals
- The Dietetic Internship Program will assure that all interns understand the requirements for successful completion of the program for verification.
Desired outcomes:
• Over a five-year period, 95% of all interns will complete the program within 15 months of their entrance into the program.
• 100% of all interns will read and understand the requirements for successful completion of the program.
- The program will develop competent entry-level practitioners.
Desired outcomes:
• Over a five-year period, a minimum of 80% of all graduates who take the Registration Exam for the first time will pass.
• Over a five-year period, 90% of employed graduates will say they were well prepared for their first job.
• Over a five-year period, 90% of all employers will indicate their overall satisfaction with the graduates’ knowledge of their chosen specialty, their ability to solve problems, think critically and communicate effectively.
- The program will develop dietetics professionals who are capable of working in various settings.
Desired outcomes:
• Each student will receive a score of Satisfactory or better on all practice evaluation forms
• On all self-evaluation forms, a minimum of 90% of the interns will indicate confidence in their ability to meet this goal.
• Over a five-year period, 70% or more of the DI graduates who have sought employment in dietetics will be employed within three months of completion of the program.
• Over a five-year period, 90% of employers will indicate overall satisfaction of the graduates’ ability to meet this goal.
Application Information and Deadline
The deadline for filing the application is February 15, 2013. An application fee of $35.00 must be sent to the Program Director. Make checks payable to Department Fund.
Mailing Address:
Prof. Fern Gale Estrow. MS, RD, CDN
Director of Dietetic Internship Program
Queens College
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Remsen Hall 306D
Queens, New York 11367-1597
The Queens College DI participates in electronic filing of Dietetic Internship applications (DICAS). For further information, contact the Program Director Prof. Fern Gale Estrow at fern.estrow@qc.cuny.edu or718-997-4138.
Computer Matching
Queens College participates in Computer Matching for the class that begins in the fall only. The deadline is February 15, 2013. You must go through computer matching in order to be eligible for acceptance into the Queens College DI. Contact your DPD Director for a packet or you can apply on-line at http://dnddigital.com or contact D&D Digital Systems at 515-292-0490.
Waiver for Prior Experience
If you are accepted into the internship and you have prior experience in food service or basic community, we will consider waiving the practical experience if:
- You have a minimum of three years experience in that area and
- You can show how you have met all the learning experiences and
- You pass a test with a minimum grade of 80%.
We will waive only one of those areas. We will not waive any part of the clinical or advanced Community Experience. Once you are accepted, if you believe you qualify to receive this waiver, please contact the program director so we may plan appropriately for the rest of your experience.
Fees
Tuition information is on the Queens College Bursars Office website. Interns are required to take one didactic course each semester (3 credits), in addition to the internship (6 credits) for a total of 9 credits a semester or 18 credits for the year. You will also have to pay additional fees each semester. If you need financial aid, please contact the Queens College Office of Financial Aid at 718-997-5100.
Curriculum
All interns are required to take and pass one graduate didactic course each semester. In the fall the required course is FNES 767, Advanced Diet Therapy. In the spring, there are several choices, depending upon which courses are offered.
In addition, the Dietetic Internship courses FNES 773 in the fall (6 credits) and FNES 774 in the spring, include both the practice experience on site and the weekly seminar.
A Suggested Rotation Schedule can be viewed under Resources.
