College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Dietetic Internship


Dietetic Internship Student Sunny Henderson presenting on her internship experience

Program Description
The California Sate University, Fresno Dietetic Internship is a 9-month program with an emphasis in general dietetics. Interns complete supervised practice experiences in a variety of facilities in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, including a veterans’ hospital, a state prison, a school district, two private hospitals, an out-patient diabetes program, and cooperative extension. Eight units of graduate- level course work are required as part of the dietetic internship.

Mission
The mission of the California State University, Fresno Dietetic Internship is to provide a high- quality post-baccalaureate educational opportunity that prepares competent entry-level generalist dietitians with the knowledge and skills for providing food and nutrition services to the population of the San Joaquin Valley.

Program Goals

  1. To prepare graduates to successfully meet the requirements for dietetics registration.
  2. To prepare graduates who will be able to meet the employment requirements for generalist dietitians.
  3. To provide a supply of well-trained dietetics practitioners who will serve the population of the San Joaquin Valley.
  4. To prepare dietetics professionals who participate in continual professional growth through educational opportunities, including graduate studies, and realize career growth.

Accreditation Status
The California State University , Fresno Dietetic Internship has been granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800/877-1600.

Length
Students are enrolled in the university for the Fall and Spring semesters. The Fall semester will begin in late August and end the third week in December. The Spring semester begins in late January and ends mid-May. Specific dates follow the academic calendar and are published in the General Catalog. The catalog is available in late spring. In order to complete required hours of field experience, students complete the elective in January before Spring semester starts.

Program Curriculum
Rotations

  • Intern Orientation - 1 Week
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy - 12 Weeks
  • Foodservice Systems Management - 11 Weeks
  • Community Nutrition - 6 Weeks
  • Elective - 2 Weeks
  • Staff Experience - 2 Weeks

Graduate Courses

  • Nutrition Counseling - 3 Units
  • Food and Nutrition Resource Management - 3 Units
  • Graduate Seminars (2)  - 2 Units

Number of Interns
The program is accepting a maximum of 10 students.

Minimum Application Requirements

  1. Completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Completed an approved DPD within the last 5 years.
  3. Earned a minimum 3.0 GPA on last 60 semester/ 90 quarter units.
  4. Earned a minimum score of 300V/300Q on the GRE General Test.
  5. Earned a minimum of 550 on TOEFL if native language is not English.
  6. Accepted interns must successfully complete background checks and fingerprinting before beginning program.

Preferred Qualifications

  1. Recommended score of 480V/580Q on the GRE general test.
  2. Work experience, paid or volunteer in dietetics.

Application Procedure

Detailed application procedures available at: http://cast.csufresno.edu/fsn

  1. Prepare an application for graduate admission, including:
    • Evidence of a baccalaureate degree
    • One complete official set of transcripts for all college coursework
    • Scores from the GRE General Test
    • Confirmation page from University application (available at http://www.csumento.edu) Graduate application should be submitted on line. CSU application fee required.

  2. Prepare an application to the dietetic internship, including:
    • ADA Standard Dietetic Internship Application Form (link available at http://cast.csufresno.edu/fsn.)
    • Resume using format in application instructions
    • Three letters of reference using ADA Standard Reference Form
    • Statement of professional interest and goals(1 page)
    • One complete set of official transcripts for all college coursework
    • Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent from a Didactic Program in Dietetics

  3. Submit all of the above in one packet to:
    Mollie Smith, MS, RD
    Dietetic Internship Application Committee
    California State University, Fresno
    Department of Food Science and Nutrition
    5300 N. Campus Drive, M/S FF 17
    Fresno, CA 93740-8019
  4. Submit an application to D & D Digital (for computer match)

Application Deadline
Postmarked no later than February 17, 2009.

Documents
 Application Checklist (PDF)
Application Procedure (PDF)
Cost Sheet (PDF)

View the PowerPoint Presentation about the Fresno State Dietetic Internship
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For more information on this program, please contact the Dietetic Internship Director, Mollie Smith, MS, RD.  If you do not receive a timely response from this faculty member and it is during the University's summer, winter or spring break, please contact the Department of Food Science and Nutrition Research for more information.