Program Description

The Brooklyn College Dietetic Internship is a 1,000-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.

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 (5 credits)

Spring Semester

HNSC 7201X: Seminar in Clinical Application (3 credits)
HNSC 7203X: Fieldwork in Dietetic Practice II (5 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): 300 hours
Food Systems Management (FSM): 200 hours
Public Health and Community Wellness (PH): 300 hours
Independent Practice (IP): 200 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 1,000 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, and the graduate degree*, the program director will review the student's record and if rotation hours, clinical assignments, course work, and preceptor evaluations are satisfactory, will issue a DI Verification Statement 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.

* Graduate degree requirement: Students in the DI must complete graduate degree requirements at Brooklyn College or submit an official transcript indicating completion of a graduate degree. The graduate degree must be conferred before students can receive their verification statement. The verification statement and the graduate degree will be awarded at the same time.

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 nutritionist. 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)

The five steps to becoming an RDN:

Complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program). Note: Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (Dietetic registration exam).
Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam.
Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
Maintain continuing education.

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.