Philosophy
- Competencies for dietetics practice are facilitated and achieved by identified supervised practice internship experiences.
- Interns benefit from learning experiences when they have the opportunity to individualize certain experiences to their needs and interests.
- Attainment of entry-level performance requirements for dietetics practice is enhanced by the variety of opportunities offered to interns within a diverse and well-rounded internship.
- The interests of the interns and the public are best served through collaboration of University units and the community.
- Commitment to ongoing evaluation and planning is necessary to assure program quality.
Mission
Consistent with the missions of the University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Science, and Department of Food Science and Nutrition, the mission of the University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship is to maintain a high-quality program which integrates didactic education, supervised practice, and public service to prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the food, health, and nutritional needs of the diverse communities they serve.
Goals and Objectives
The program graduates will be competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
Outcome Measures:
- At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 14 months (150% of the program length).
- At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- ≥ 75% of graduates responding to the U of MN DI Graduate Survey will give a rating of “satisfactory/meets expectations” or better when indicating their degree of “overall professional knowledge and skill demonstrated” in their work settings.
The program graduates will be well-trained to meet the food, health, and nutritional needs of the diverse communities they serve.
Outcome Measures:
- Of graduates who seek employment, ≥75 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- ≥ 75% of graduates responding to the U of MN DI Graduate Survey will give a rating of “satisfactory/meets expectations” or better when indicating their competence to perform the nutrition care process and use standardized nutrition language for individuals, groups, and populations of differing ages, diversity, and health status in their work settings.
- ≥ 75% of employers responding to the U of MN DI Employer Survey will give program graduates a rating of “excellent/above expectations” or better when indicating degree of overall professional knowledge and skill demonstrated in their work settings.
Program outcomes data available upon request
Expectations
We expect our interns to act in a professional manner. This includes dressing professionally, arriving on time, completing projects and assignments by the due dates, and communicating effectively with others.
We expect high motivation and a desire to help others. We expect an ongoing willingness to learn, accept challenges, and grow in skill and compassion. We require that interns uphold the confidentiality of all clients, and follow the internship program's policies and procedures, as well as requirements for each of our affiliated sites.