Program Description
The Brooklyn College Dietetic Internship is a 1,200-hour, full-time, supervised practice program covering the fall and spring semesters. Students will gain experience in a variety of settings, including medical nutrition therapy, food systems management, public health and community wellness, and independent practice. The supervised practice will take place in affiliated hospitals and institutions in and around New York City. Students will also participate in two seminar courses, which will be given concurrently with the supervised practice. Students are encouraged to obtain the M.S. degree in nutrition to enhance their career opportunities.
Supervised Practice Hours
Interns will complete supervised practice hours as well as a two-semester seminar course that meets weekly.
Fall Semester
- HNSC 7200X: Seminar in Nutritional Practice (3 credits)
- HNSC 7202X: Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice I (6 credits)
Spring Semester
- HNSC 7201X: Seminar in Clinical Application (3 credits)
- HNSC 7203X: Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice II (6 credits)
NOTE: The graduate schedule of classes are published on the Brooklyn College website every semester. The DI program follows the Brooklyn College academic calendar.
Rotation Schedule for Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice I and II (7202X and 7203X):
- Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): 450 hours
- Food Systems Management (FSM): 200 hours
- Public Health and Community Wellness (PH): 300 hours
- Independent Practice (IP): 250 hours
Rotation Sites and Facilities
Brooklyn College Dietetic Interns work with preceptors at supervised practice sites in the New York area. The DI director and dietetic program coordinator will assign students to facilities for their rotations and scheduling will be discussed on an individual basis with preceptors. Students must be willing to travel anywhere within the five boroughs of New York City
Assignments/Projects
Assignments and projects are posted on Blackboard. Interns are required to fulfill the ACEND-Required Core Competencies (Appendix A). Students are required to maintain a written and electronic portfolio of all completed assignments and submit a log of hours and activities completed during their rotations.
Program Completion Requirements
- A minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised practice plus additional didactic hours (seminar coursework) must be satisfactorily completed within 12 months from starting date.
- Students must satisfactorily complete all rotation assignments as evidenced by the evaluation forms completed by the site preceptor appropriate for each individual rotation. Preceptors evaluate students' overall performance on learning objectives related to competencies specific for each rotation.
- If a rotation is not successfully completed as indicated on the evaluation forms, students must repeat the rotation over until satisfactorily completed within 12 months of commencement of the DI program.
- Students must receive a minimum average grade of B in courses Seminar in Nutritional Practice -HNSC 7200X, Seminar in Clinical Application -7201X, Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice I -7202X and Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice II -7203X.
Upon completion of clinical practice and course work by the student, the program director will review the student's record and if rotation hours, clinical assignments, course work, and preceptor evaluations are satisfactory, will issue five original DI Verification Statements as well as a Registration Eligibility Application Name/Address Verification Form and instructions. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) copy is to be completed and returned to the program director. The program director will forward the Computerized Registration Eligibility Application to CDR. You will receive examination application instructions from Pearson VUE once you are approved to take the exam. It is the responsibility of each graduate to complete the application from Pearson VUE, provide the required fee, and schedule an examination appointment. Interns who have not completed all internship requirements will not be given Verification Statements, nor will their names be submitted to CDR to sit for the RD exam.
Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists
Each intern is instructed on the process for completing the application form to write the examination to become a registered dietitian. For more information about the process, visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration's website.
For additional information regarding the Brooklyn College Dietetic Internship, see the Dietetic Internship Student Handbook (pdf).
Requirements and Process to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (DI).
- Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's (CDR) dietetic registration examination. After 2024, a graduate degree is required in order to sit for the exam.
New York State Certification (CDN)
In addition to RDN credentialing, New York State has certification for Dietitian/Nutritionists (CDN). Once you become an RDN, you will be able to apply for the CDN since you have completed the necessary education and training requirements.
