Program Description and Calendar
The Dietetic Internship at Montclair State University is a 9-month, full-time program, consisting of a minimum of 1,080 hours of supervised practice in the field of dietetics as well as classroom education. There are opportunities for some students to gain additional experience and hours at professional meetings, program planning events, and participation in health fairs.
As of 2023-2024 Spring match, a maximum of thirty students are accepted into the program. The Montclair State University Dietetic Internship is currently granted full accreditation by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040.
The Dietetic Internship is offered on a full-time basis over 36 weeks in order for students to achieve the competencies set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and become eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Upon passing the examination, graduates earn the credential Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Four days each week are devoted to supervised field experience. Students rotate through various facilities for experience in clinical dietetics, foodservice management, community nutrition, wellness, education, and research. Typical in-patient clinical nutrition rotations include medicine and surgery, intensive care, long-term care, and rehabilitation. Typical out-patient experiences include diabetes management and dialysis. Additional rotations in food service management, community nutrition programs such as Head Start, Cooperative Extension, the Nutrition Program for the Elderly, wellness programs, and research allow for the achievement of program goals. Interns are assigned to supervised practice sites by program faculty; interns are not required to locate their own sites.
Mondays are typically reserved for didactic education, which includes lectures, presentations, guest speakers, and field trips.
Potential areas of employment following program completion include healthcare institutions, foodservice operations, wellness programs, home health agencies, health clubs, government programs, research, consulting and business.
Program Calendar
Orientation to the Dietetic Internship typically begins in late August with supervised practice rotations beginning in September. There are no rotations on Thanksgiving. Holiday recess/make-up weeks are provided over the December holiday period and during the University Spring Break, in March. There is no class on Memorial Day. Graduation takes place in May.
Academic Calendar
*Calendars are subject to change due to regulatory or administrative reasons.