Dietetic Internship Program

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University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview

The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview - Dietetic Internship program is 43-weeks long and provides a variety of supervised practice experiences within an innovative and progressive health care system. Established in 1917, the program is one of the oldest dietetic internships in the United States. It is a full-time, hospital-based internship with a concentration in the area of Medical Nutrition Therapy.

While supervised learning experiences are provided in all areas of dietetics to meet the competencies set by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE), the program provides a greater depth of learning in the area of Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Interns are provided supervised learning experiences in large, teaching hospitals like the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview and the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital as well as in community hospitals, skilled nursing/transitional care units and community clinics. Interns are supervised by registered dietitians specializing in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition management and community nutrition.

Curriculum

Admission Requirements and Selection Criteria

Our Dietetic Internship program does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, national origin, handicap or religion. To be eligible for admission, the following requirements must be met:

Overall GPA of 3.1 (4.0 scale) or higher from baccalaureate program.
Verification of completion or intent to complete an approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
Recency of education: if DPD requirements were completed more than three years prior to applying to the internship, an upper-division course in Physiology and another in Medical Nutrition Therapy and Advanced Clinical Nutrition must be taken before the start date of the internship.
For preselect students: Completion of DPD and baccalaureate degree from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
For computer match students: Completion of DPD and baccalaureate/advanced degrees from accredited institutions

Selection criteria

Strong GPA [grades in subjects like biochemistry, advanced nutrition/metabolism, MNT, community nutrition, food service will be taken in to consideration by the selection committee]
Work experience in dietetics and/or non -dietetics related fields
3 Recommendation letters- Two from faculty and one from an employer
Well written personal statement that covers all the required categories
Completion of the supplemental application form with all the required details
Overall potential of student to successfully complete an internship in a high acuity teaching hospital- as determined by selection committee members from overall review of application materials.
Upon appointment to the internship, interns must submit proof of health insurance, provide immunization records for specific immunizations required by the hospital and successfully complete a criminal background check.

Expenses

To participate in the Dietetic Internship program, you will incur several expenses. Interns are required to have a reliable form of transportation and a valid driver's license and auto insurance. Due to the travel distance between facilities, public transportation is not adequate.

Program Details and Application Instructions

Accreditation
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview - Dietetic Internship Program has been granted accreditation by The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education [CADE] - the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,for the 2006-2016 period.

CADE exists to serve the public by establishing and enforcing eligibility requirements and accreditation standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. Programs meeting those standards are accredited by CADE. CADE is recognized by the United States Department of Education affirming that CADE meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs

After completing the internship program and successfully meeting all the graduation requirements, interns are issued a verification statement. Once the verification statement is issued, interns are then eligible to take the registration examination set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). A student becomes a Registered Dietician only after successfully passing the registration exam.

For information about accreditation status, contact:
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
1-800-877-1600 ext 5400
education@eatright.org

Contact Information
Shyamala Ganesh M.S., R.D., L.D.
Director, Dietetic Internship Program
612-273-3219
sganesh1@fairview.org

Last revised: Nov 29, 2011