Dietetic Internship
The OHSU Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition (GPHN) houses the longest-standing Dietetic Internship program west of the Mississippi River! Students in the Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate Program (DI) develop a solid knowledge and skills-based foundation to provide innovative, evidence-based nutrition care and dietetics services to improve the health of all individuals. Graduates gain employment in a variety of clinical, community, foodservice, research, private practice, and entrepreneurial positions.
The stand-alone DI is a full-time 9-month graduate certificate program that begins in September and finishes in June and provides students with the supervised practice experience needed to fulfill the competencies for dietitian nutritionists established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It be completed on its own or in combination with one of master's programs. Individuals completing the DI will need to have a master's or doctoral degree to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist after January 1, 2024.
The DI program strikes a balance between rigorous supervised practice training and evidence-based didactic learning opportunities. Service learning and community outreach experiences are facilitated and encouraged. The internship includes rotation sites in Portland and throughout the state of Oregon. The supervised practice component of the program consists of approximately 32 hours of supervised practice experiences (Tuesday through Friday) and didactic instruction on Mondays. The program has a strong clinical focus complemented by community outreach experiences. The program also encourages participation in enrichment activities in food security, sustainable food systems and food access
Learn more about Supervised Practice in Medford and Portland
Mission
The Dietetic Internship program prepares graduates to deliver evidence-based nutrition care and dietetics services to improve the health of all individuals. We foster excellence in dietetic interns through an array of experiences in professional leadership and practice to be carried forward into their respective careers.
Program goals and objectives
To prepare graduates for competitive entry-level positions in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Objectives
- Over a five-year period, 90% of students enrolled in the DI program will complete the program within 18 months, which is 150% of the program duration.
- Over a five-year period, 75% of students enrolled in the combined MS/DI program will complete the program within 36 months, which is 150% of the program duration.
- At least 80% 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%
- 80% of graduates will obtain employment in the field of nutrition and dietetics within one year of graduation.
- 75% of employers will rate our graduates as either superior or above average in comparison to employees of similar age, education, experience, and responsibility.
To foster professional leadership and specialty practice skills in graduates.
Objectives:
Of those who respond to follow-up surveys:
- 25% of graduates will report that they have assumed a leadership role in their place of employment within five years of graduation. Examples could include, but are not limited to, serving as a project lead, committee chair, task force member, spokesperson, trainer, or manager.
- 50% of graduates will report involvement within a local, state, or national professional organization and/or volunteer organization within five years of graduation. Examples could include, but are not limited to, serving on a board of directors or conference planning committee, participating in nutrition advocacy events, serving as an item writer for the registration exam, or volunteering at a non-profit such as a food bank or faith-based organization.
- 25% of graduates will report that they have obtained or are working towards obtaining one or more specialty certification(s) from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, or other certification from an accredited professional organization, or a graduate degree from an accredited university within five years of graduation.
- 50% of graduates will report that they have become a preceptor for one or more dietetic internship program within five years of graduation.
Outcome data available upon request.