Overview

Mission Statement

It is the intention of the Dietetic Internship at the University of Delaware to develop outstanding future oriented dietitians for the profession and society. The program emphasizes that this is the beginning of a career involving continuing education, a variety of experiences and professional growth. This program expects to educate the future leaders of our profession.

Goals & the Expected Outcomes

Measurable Goal #1: To provide dietetic professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to function as an entry-level dietitian.

1. Target measure for program completion rate: At least 95% of students enrolled in the program will successfully complete all program requirements within 150% (12 months) of the time planned for completion (8 months).
2. Target measure for employer satisfaction survey: At least 95% of the graduates will receive a minimum of an overall satisfactory rating by employers.
3. Target measure for graduate surveys: At least 95% of the graduates will feel that they were at least adequately prepared for entry-level practice.
4. Target measure for the registration examination for dietitians: Over a five-year period, the pass rate for program graduates taking the registration examination will be at least 80%.

Measurable Goal #2: To provide a comprehensive program with a concentration in community nutrition that will prepare graduates to work in all areas of dietetics.

1. Target measure for graduate employment: Over a five-year period, 70% or more of program graduates who sought employment in dietetics will be employed within three months of program completion.

Accreditation

The University of Delaware's Dietetic Internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext 5400. Http://www.eatright.org/ACEND

 

Schedule

The University of Delaware Dietetic Internship is approved to accept up to 42 interns annually. The program is delivered online for all interns. This program utilizes a variety of technologies in the overall management of the program. Except for the initial one week on-campus orientation program, all instruction, courses, assignments and conferencing is done via the Internet.

Students who live outside the State of Delaware will be required to locate their own preceptors and facilities, subject to approval by the Internship faculty. Interns accepted into the local program DO NOT plan their own schedules. Most local spots are filled during the pre-select round of admissions (open to UD didactic students only). Upon acceptance into the Internship, all students will be provided with a copy of the internship curriculum to use in completion of the program.

The Internship experience begins with a one week orientation program starting in mid August. Orientation is held in Newark, Delaware on the campus of the University of Delaware. All interns admitted to the Dietetic Internship must attend this orientation program. The purpose of this experience is to help students make the transition between undergraduate education and the professional practice environment. Students will be provided with hotel information for the Orientation program, but are responsible for making their own arrangements for travel and accommodations.

In addition to the supervised practice experience, interns complete the didactic portion of the program on Thursday mornings for one hour and fifteen minutes. This course is offered online and is a mandatory part of the internship. Various faculty and practitioners serve as guest speakers on current topics relevant to the practice of nutrition and dietetics.

For more information on rotation schedules, see the Schedule page.