Dietetic Internship Program Description
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Dietetic Internship (DI) at The University of Southern Mississippi is to educate individuals who will successfully function as entry-level generalist dietitians in the state, region, and nation. The DI provides supervised application of dietetic academic preparation in a variety of settings.
Program Goal 1
To develop and maintain a high quality Dietetic Internship that prepares students for careers in dietetics and provides the knowledge, skills, and values for post-graduate education.
Institutional Mission Reference
The mission of the Dietetic internship is to educate dietitians who will successfully function as entry-level generalist dietitians.
Outcome Measures
1.1 80% of Dietetic Internship graduates will pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians on the first attempt.
1.2 Dietetic intern program graduates will indicate they are adequately prepared to begin practice as an entry level
dietitian in the following areas: foodservice management, school foodservice, clinical nutrition, community nutrition,
and long-term care, as measured by an average score of 4/5 on the DI Program Evaluation
1.3 Program graduates will score at least a 15 on the nutrition portion of the registration exam.
1.4 Program graduates will score at least a 15 on the food systems portion of the registration exam.
1.5 Employers will rank program graduates overall job performance in their current position as satisfactory,
as indicated by an average score of 4/5.
Program Goal 2
To sustain a high quality program, utilizing effective support staff and appropriate learning opportunities in practicum rotations
Institutional Mission Reference
The DI provides generalist practical supervised application of academic preparation in dietetics in a variety of settings.
Outcome Measures
2.1 Clinical facility preceptors will receive an average of 4/5 for guidance and helpfulness, as evaluated by interns.
2.2 Management facility preceptors will receive an average of 4/5 for guidance and helpfulness, as evaluated by interns.
Program Goal 3
To prepare and supply dietetic professionals that meet the needs of the Southeastern region of the United States (GA, AL, FL, MS, AR, LA, TX, & TN)
Institutional Mission Reference
...educate dietitians who will successfully function as generalist dietitians in the state and region.
Outcome Measures
3.1 90% of Dietetic Internship graduates will be employed in an area of dietetics within 6 months of completing
the internship.
3.2 95% of interns who are admitted into the program will successfully complete all program requirements and earn a
Verification Statement
3.3 80% of Dietetic Internship graduates will be employed in the SE region of the United States within 6 months of
completing the internship.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively use communicate dietetic practice-related information, orally and in writing
- Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct research, present and apply research findings relevant to dietetics practice.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills to evaluate problems related to dietetic practice, synthesize relevant data, and identify solutions to the problems.
- Students will understand the role of nutrition in human health, disease prevention, and health promotion in a variety of settings.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of food systems, including management principles, financial management, menu planning and production, and food science.
- Students will demonstrate professional ethics; collaboration, and participate actively in group efforts, demonstrating respect for other people's opinions, feelings, and values.
The Dietetic Internship at The University of Southern Mississippi is a post baccalaureate dietetic program offering over 900 hours of intensive training in food service management, clinical nutrition and community nutrition. After completing the program, a student is qualified to begin entry-level practice and is eligible to take the examination to become a registered dietitian (R.D.).
The Southern Miss Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60440-9833, 800.877.1600.
Dietetic Internship Program
Students are admitted either during the preselection process in January or during the April computer match. The Internship begins when the Southern Miss summer semester begins. Interns may enroll as part-time or full-time graduate students. Interns attend classes during the summer semester and begin supervised practice in the fall semester. The supervised practice continues through the spring semester, spanning 34 weeks. Interns are required to participate in supervised practice 32 hours per week. Each intern is assigned to a primary supervised practice facility in either Jackson or Hattiesburg.
Interns complete the following rotations: General Clinical Nutrition, Renal Nutrition, Nutrition Support, Long-Term Care, WIC-Community Nutrition, Wellness, School Food Service, Healthcare Food Service Management, three-week clinical staff experience rotation, and a choice of their own two-week special interest rotations at the end of the internship. See sample rotation table.
Required Classes
| Summer | Fall | Spring | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFS 640 | Food Systems Management | NFS 664 | Seminar | NFS 664 | Seminar |
| NFS 630 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | NFS 567L | Practicum in Dietetics | NFS 567L | Practicum in Dietetics |
| NFS 694 | Current Topics in Food System Management | NFS 715 | Recent Developments in Applied Nutrition | ||
Students interested in pursuing the master's degree following completion of the Dietetic Internship are encouraged to begin academic advisement prior to beginning the Internship.
Dietetic Internship Requirements and Application Procedures
Dietetic Internship Estimated Financial Expenses
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition | Resident: $6,552 Non-resident: $15,600 |
| Textbooks and other supplies | $800 |
| Texts, modules, lab coats, etc. | $400 |
| Professional Meetings | ADA Food, Nutrition Conference &
Exposition Registration $250 plus travel costs* MS Dietetic Assoc. (MDA) Annual Meeting Registration $50* |
*Hotel, Meals, Travel cost vary/Fees subject to change without notice
Other Program Requirements
Interns:
- Must have regular access to a computer with Internet/e-mail capability
- Must be "ServSafe©" certified prior to beginning supervised practice fall semester
- Are responsible for their own housing during supervised practice
- Are responsible for transportation to and from clinical facilities
Financial Aid
Full-time graduate students are eligible for federally guaranteed student loans and other forms of financial assistance. Those interested in such assistance should contact the Southern Miss office of Financial Aid at 601.266.4774 or at www.usm.edu/financialaid/.
International Students
In order for an individuals having been educated outside of the United States to become Registered Dietitians or Registered Technicians, registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), they must first meet certain requirements different from US students. International students who wish to apply for a position in the Southern Miss Dietetic internship must first meet all requirements for an international student at the university.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is the accrediting agency for the American Dietetic Association. CDR is a member of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which was designed to establish and monitor adherence to strict national certification standards. In regards to foreign students, the CDR has established registration eligibility reciprocity agreements with a number of foreign dietetic associations/regulatory boards. Foreign students can be granted reciprocity respectively from the Dietitians of Canada, Dutch Association of Dietitians/ Ministry of Welfare, Public Health and Culture, the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission, the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, and the Dietitians Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine in the United Kingdom.