Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences

The Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) program at Queens College prepares individuals to become New York-certified family and consumer sciences teachers. The FCSE program provides individuals with knowledge and skills in a variety of family and consumer sciences content areas, and also supplies the professional education required to become competent and committed teachers of today’s adolescents in grades 5 through 12. Teaching FCS is a rewarding and challenging career. If you would like to learn more, continue reading to find out which program is right for you.

If you are currently a student in high school or a community college, then the Bachelor of Arts program is right for you.

Depending on your background, we offer two different FCSE graduate programs:

• For individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are looking for a new career, we have a post-baccalaureate program.
• For New York-certified teachers who are looking to add a certification in FCS, the post-baccalaureate program is also appropriate.
• For FCS teachers who are looking to obtain professional certification in FCS, we have a graduate program that leads to a Master of Science in Education.

All of our FCSE programs are registered with the New York State Education Department and, therefore, lead to either an initial or professional certificate required by the state to be a FCS teacher. The programs are also nationally accredited by the National Council of Accreditation in Teacher Education (NCATE), which means the programs meet a high standard of excellence in preparing candidates to become FCS teachers.

Program Director

Andrea B. Mosenson Ph.D
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education
Program Coordinator & Advisor
(718) 997-4161
andrea.mosenson@qc.cuny.edu

MSED Brochure for Program

To educate students in the principles of  food management and the role food service operations have in food sustainability, culture and the health and well being of people served in hospitals, restaurants and the food industry.

The goals of the Food Service Management specialization are to:

1. Impart fundamentals of food science, nutrition, meal planning, food sustainability, institutional management and accounting to plan and supervise meal production to enhance the health and well being of a culturally diverse community.

2. Develop student’s ability to solve problems and think critically in managing areas of food industry such as restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, farm to table operations and community programs.

Opportunities for Food Management Studies Students:

FNES Vegetable and Herb Garden​:

Work in the FNES Vegetable and Herb Garden  to learn about food sustainability.

Internships in the food industry:

There are internships available in school food services, restaurants, nursing homes, senior centers or the FNES Vegetable and Herb Garden on- campus.

Study Abroad opportunity in Florence, Italy:

Go for a full semester or take one  class during the winter or summer session. Students take classes toward the food management degree and have an option to work in a student run restaurant or pastry shop in Florence. General college courses are also available in foreign language, art and more. Scholarships are available.

BALA program at Queens College: Students with a 3.0 GPA or better can apply to be part of the Business and Liberal Arts (BALA) program  to learn about basic business principles  such as  business writing, entrepreneurship, law  and ethics.

Program Director

The Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (FNES) of Queens College, City University of New York offers a Didactic Program in Dietetics through the undergraduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics. This program is based on the standards of Education of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the goals of the FNES Department.

The curriculum consists of 24 classes (79 credits) including biology, chemistry, psychology, food science, nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, food service management, nutrition counseling, research methods, life cycle and community nutrition. Upon completion of the curriculum and earning a bachelor’s degree (B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics) students will be eligible to start a ACEND approved Dietetic Internship for which they have applied and been accepted into.

For more detailed information about the program please refer to the Nutrition and Dietetics Student Handbook under Program Resources on the right.

Accreditation Status

Program Mission

The Queens College Nutrition and Dietetics program prepares students to think critically and solve problems within the context of nutrition and dietetics for entry into supervised practice programs that lead to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists, and for entry into graduate studies and careers enhancing the nutrition health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in an increasingly global society.  

Program Goals and Objective

Program outcome data are available upon request.

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 develop their skills in the practice of dietetics.  The curriculum is based on the 2017 Standards of Education of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You may visit the ACEND website at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend for more information on accreditiation of dietetics programs. The Queens College Dietetic Internship is fully accredited by ACEND through 2020.  The address for ACEND is 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. The telephone number is 800/877-1600, ext.5400.

The Queens College Dietetic Internship is a post baccalaureate program that admits only individuals who have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by ACEND and at least a bachelor’s degree. A Verification Statement of DPD completion is necessary to be eligible to apply to the dietetic internship. Upon completion of the ACEND accredited dietetic internship, graduates receive a Verification Statement of dietetic internship completion which is required for eligibility to take the registration exam for dietitian-nutritionists of the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). The exam must be passed to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) which also fulfills requirements in New York state to become a certified dietitian-nutritionist (CDN). For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students

The Dietetic Internship is part of the Nutrition Specialty in the Master of Science Program in Nutrition and Exercise, within the Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES) Department.  Therefore, all who apply for the Dietetic Internship must apply to the graduate program by the deadline for the year they expect to enter. Application to the graduate program occurs after acceptance to the internship.

The MS degree does not have to be completed for verification of completion of the Internship. However please note that effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Program Mission

The mission of the Queens College Dietetic Internship is to prepare interns as entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists in a manner that promotes flexibility and innovation in an increasingly global society.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. The program will develop competent entry level dietitian-nutritionists utilizing the resources of Queens College, City University of New York.

Objectives:

• 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian-nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the exam within 1 year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian-nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of employers’ survey responses, collected within 12 months of program completion, will indicate satisfaction with graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice.
• 90% of graduates’ survey responses, collected within 12 months of program completion, indicate satisfaction with their preparation for entry-level practice.

Goal 2. The program will contribute to meeting the employment demand for registered dietitian-nutritionists (RDNs) who are able to innovate and serve diverse populations in various settings.

Objectives:

• At least 80% of program students complete program requirements within 14.25 months (150% of program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• 70% of graduates’ survey responses, collected within 12 months of program completion, indicate they contribute to innovation and serve diverse populations at their place of employment.

The program outcomes data are available on request.

PROGRAM

Each student will be assigned site placements by the Dietetic Internship Director and be required to work in one or more facilities to successfully complete 1300 hours of experience.  Students must work full-time in the assigned facility. Students complete requirements of the Dietetic Internship Seminar course and one additional graduate course each semester, fall and spring, of the DI year.

Credit for Prior Experience

The Queens College Dietetic Internship does not award credit for prior experience. Rotation work and projects will be planned to build on prior experience.  Required graduate courses provide preparation for rotations.

Program Schedule (9.5 months; 38 weeks; 1300 practice hours)

Program Orientation – 1 week
Community (Programs and Counseling) – 15 weeks (544 practice hours)
Clinical (General Medicine, Critical Care and Extended Care) – 14 weeks (504 practice hours)
Food Service Management (Production, Service and Financial) – 7 weeks (252 practice hours)
Holiday Break – 1 week

Please see Sample Rotation Schedule, upper right of this page.

Concentration

The program emphasis area is Community Nutrition. Interns complete a comprehensive community needs assessment and intervention, case report researching chronic disease with counseling intervention and address principles of sustainability through activities of the FNES Campus Garden.

Clinical case, ethics and innovations in practice reports, foodservice management projects and an outcomes research group project often related to a topic in community-based dietetics, further strengthen the interns’ portfolio of experiences.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
​

Applicants to the dietetic internship submit an application in the DICAS system, participate in the computer match via the D and D Digital system (see Application Information below) and must meet the following requirements before they begin the program, to promote students’ success and safety in the internship:

1. Core program requirements (application):

• ​A baccalaureate degree from an accredited school or foreign equivalent as determined by a recognized credentialing agency
• Verification Statement from ACEND-accredited DPD received within the last 3 years or with graduate course completion in MNT and Assessment within 3 years
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 / DPD GPA of 3.0 / Science GPA of 2.8
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation: 1 from work supervisor, 1 from professor and third from either supervisor or instructor
• Relevant volunteer and or work experience within the dietetic profession; leadership experience preferred
• Resume
• Ability to work within the United States
• Writing ability
• Personal interview

2. Health requirements (shown upon acceptance to the DI program):

• Physical Examination
• Proof of negative “2 Step PPD” or Quantiferon TB Test within 3 months of admission
• Proof of titers (blood tests) showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, Varicella, and Rubella
• Tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years
• Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination or signed waiver to decline. Hepatitis B titer may be required from hospital practice site.
• Annual influenza vaccination
• Drug urine screening
• Health insurance
• Background check and finger printing (as required by rotation site)

3. Matriculated status in the Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences graduate program (upon acceptance to DI)
4. References and resources required by the program (as noted below under Cost) ​
5. Signed Internship Agreement (​upon acceptance to the DI program)
6. Tuition for each semester must be paid in full prior to the start of each semester, fall and spring.
7. Other needed materials:

• Liability Insurance (students in the Dietetic Internship Program are covered by professional liability insurance through Queens College as they are placed at sites with active affiliation agreements with the college)
• Viable, professionally stated email address​

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Deadline

The deadline for filing the application is February 15.

Application Fee

A $35.00 fee is required. Be sure the same applicant name on your DICAS application is noted on your check. Make checks payable to the Queens College FNES Department Fund and send to:

Queens College, CUNY
Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Department
c/o Lucille Dimola
Remsen Hall 306
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Queens, NY 11367-1597.

Application Materials

The Queens College DI participates in the electronic filing of Dietetic Internship applications (DICAS) to include:

1. Accurate completion of application as per DICAS instructions
2. Personal Statement
3. Three letters of recommendation – 2 from work supervisors and 1 from professor OR 1 from work supervisor and 2 from professors (do not submit 3 recommendations only from supervisors or only from professors)
4. DPD Verification Statement of completion / intent to complete
5. Official Transcripts from all colleges attended
6. Resume

Please see the DICAS website https://portal.dicas.org/

Application Checklist at the top right of this page provides assistance with the application.

Computer Matching

Queens College participates in Computer Matching for the class that begins in the fall only.  The deadline to register for computer matching is February 15 to be eligible for acceptance into the Queens College DI.  Apply online at http://dnddigital.com or contact D&D Digital Systems at 515.292.0490.

Enrollment

The DI spans the fall and spring academic semesters. Each semester all interns are required to take one graduate didactic course (fall: Medical Nutrition Therapy; spring: Advanced Counseling, Community Nutrition or other, 3 credits each) along with enrollment in the DI (6 credits), for a total of 9 graduate credits per semester. Six graduate credits of the DI in addition to the 6 didactic course credits earned (12 credits altogether) may be applied toward the MS degree in Nutrition & Exercise Sciences (NES) Nutrition Specialization.

The Program accepts 12 interns annually.

Cost

Tuition for the internship year for NY state resident is $8460 + $198.35 student fee.

Tuition information can be found on the Queens College Bursars Office website.

The internship represents 6 credits plus one 3-credit graduate course each semester for a total of 18 graduate credits.

If you need financial aid, please contact the Queens College Office of Financial Aid .

Additional internship expenses include:

• DICAS: DICAS fee is $40 for one internship program and $20 for each additional program.
• D&D Digital: National computer matching fee is $50
• Dietetic Internship Fee: $35.  The fee would be made out to Queens College FNES Department Fund and sent as indicated above under Application Information.
• Tuition:
• $470/credit- New York State residents
• $855/credit- Non-residents
• $198.35 consolidated fee, includes activity fee, consolidated fees and technology fees per semester
• Medical Insurance: Students must carry their own medical insurance and proof of coverage must be shown to the Internship Director before going to first facility.
• Medical exam within 3 months before the start of the internship; interns must submit verification of completion indicating medical clearance to practice.
• Proof of a TB test, tetanus and flu vaccination, titers for MMR and varicella, Hepatitis B series or waiver, drug testing, vaccination or waiver for meningitis and others as may be required by practice sites.
• ServSafe Manager certification, up to $180 https://www.servsafe.com/access/ss/Catalog/ProductList/10​
• Finger-printing if required by practice site
• Books:  A reading list is available upon request (~ $500 for books).
• Professional conference up to $150
• RD Exam Review Course and Manual $385
• Transportation: All students are required to have their own transportation and assume expenses commuting to and from sites including tolls, parking and public transportation as needed.
• Housing: A dormitory is available on campus.  There are several types of spaces available. Off-campus housing is also available.
• Lab coat and/or uniform in some assigned facilities, comfortable, closed, slip-resistant shoes.
• Background checks where required by assigned facilities (may include additional drug test and/or fingerprinting, and may be at the student’s expense).
• Cell phone, laptop computer, web-cam, printer-scanner combination, daily internet access.
• Financial aid is available.
• Additional costs include cost of living expenses for New York City.

Please see Internship Handbook, below, for additional information and detail on the dietetic internship program and polices and procedures.

Please contact the program director for more information:

Allison Charny, MS RDN CDE CDN
Director of Queens College Dietetic Internship
Queens College – CUNY
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Remsen 306A
Queens, New York 11367
718-997-4138
allison.charny@qc.cuny.edu

Program Resources