Dietetic Internship, DI, Master of Science

The Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Marywood University offers a two-year Dietetic Internship leading to a graduate degree and achievement of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Competencies/Learning Outcomes with a focus on Health Promotion and Wellness. The Marywood University Dietetic Internship is an accredited ACEND program. A copy of the accreditation approval standards and/or the commission’s policy may be obtained by contacting ACEND staff at the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606, telephone number [phone].

Mission Statement of the Dietetic Internship (DI)

The philosophy of Marywood University Master of Science Degree Dietetic Internship (MUMDDI) runs parallel with the mission of the program and the mission of Marywood University. Students enhance broadening intellectual perspectives, and promote ethical professional practice based on humanitarian values. Students are encouraged to discover their passions, prepare for their careers, and acquire tools and motivation for a lifelong process of learning following the Code of Ethics, the Scope/Standards of Practice, and the Standards of Professional Performance of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. MUMDDI is passionate about developing competent practitioners dedicated to service of others and to the profession. Throughout the 22-month program, students will be provided with a professional and academic environment in which to develop the skills needed to become competent in the areas of nutrition therapy, community dietetics, and food service management, and to be leaders in the field and/or professional organizations. MUMDDI is designed to be completed in four consecutive semesters (and one summer in between) as a full-time student.

The Mission of MUMDDI is to prepare well-rounded graduates who are competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Graduates are ready to respond to the challenging demands of productive careers in dietetics and nutrition-related fields through a commitment to lifelong learning. They will demonstrate professionalism, self-directedness, evidence-based practice decisions, effective communication, critical thinking, collaboration in their professional community, and active ongoing self-assessment all in the pursuit of meaningful work that makes a positive impact on others.

This is reflective of the Standards of Education from ACEND and the Health Promotion and Wellness concentration of the program, which enables graduates to accept positions in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in a variety of healthcare and community environments. They will lead and empower individuals, especially those with economic need, to achieve better nutrition and healthier lifestyles.

Program Goals

Program Goal 1

The Marywood University Master’s Dietetic Internship Program will produce graduates who practice competently in positions that address the ongoing/evolving health care demands for wellness promotion, maintenance and restoration of health in the populations they serve. The program will produce graduates who are confident leaders capable of effective advocacy and beneficial service on behalf of the community and field of nutrition and dietetics.

Program Objectives for Goal 1 are measured by the following standard upon completion of the program: 

1a. At least 80% of program interns complete all program/degree requirements within 33 months (150% of the program length). (RE 2.1.c.1.a)

One-year post completion

1b. On the one‐year post completion employer survey, of those that respond 90% will score “agree or strongly agree” with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice. (RE 2.1.c.1.d)

1c. Of graduates who seek employment 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of the program graduation. (RE 2.1.c.1.b)

Over a three-year period

1d. 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%. (RE 2.1.c.1.2)

Program Goal 2

The Marywood University Master’s Dietetic Internship Program will develop graduates to encourage critical thinking and application of the knowledge, and research in food and nutrition science to assess and treat individuals and diverse populations. The program will prepare graduates for expanded professional opportunities and/or for further academic studies, who embrace the ever-changing challenges of the profession and need to be self-directed learners with a commitment to life-long learning as critical to serving the community and the profession.

Program Objectives for Goal 2 are measured by the following standards upon completion of the program:

 

 

2a. At least 85% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitians nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. (RE 2.1.c.1.c.1)

2b. On the end of program survey, at least 75% of graduates who respond will “agree or strongly agree” with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding the program fostering self-directed learning.

2c. On the three-year post program survey, at least 80% of graduates who respond will “agree or strongly agree” with a mean value of 2.0 or greater regarding leadership service in the dietetics profession and/or the community at large.

2d. On the three-year post program survey, at least 40% of program graduates who respond will indicate they have become a preceptor or mentor dietetic students or interns.

 

Admission to the Dietetic Internship

Students who have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) are eligible to apply. The DI program has two tracks.

Onsite track

Students attend courses onsite at Marywood and are placed at sites in the surrounding Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.

Distance track

Students who may be located anywhere geographically in the United States, however, sites for rotations must be more than 120 miles from Marywood University in order to be eligible to apply.

Admission to the program is competitive. Up to 15 students are usually selected each year in the onsite track and up to 32 students in the distance track.

Pre-selection Options

Marywood offers pre-selection options for those who qualify. This pre-select application process allows current Marywood DPD students to seamlessly complete their DPD requirements and then transition into the MUDDI program. Undergraduate Marywood students accepted through this pre-select option complete their a Bachelors in Science and Masters in Science degrees as well as their DPD and DI Verification Statements in an accelerated way allowing them to take the RDN exam in 5 years. Graduate Marywood students accepted through this pre-select option complete their Masters in Science degree as well as their DPD and DI Verification Statements allowing them to take the RDN exam in 4 years. Students accepted through this pre-select entry would also have the option of completing their MUDDI program requirements through either the distance or the onsite track.

Qualified students who apply to the MUDDI program from a DPD program other than Marywood’s, apply through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). The MUDDI participates in DICAS during  the spring computer matching process only, which takes place in April.

Students must register for this online at: www.dnddigital.com, select dietetic internship priority, and pay the D & D Digital fee with a credit card, on or before the deadline date. Refer to D & D matching timeline at: www.dnddigital.com.

Contact information for D & D Digital Systems Inc.: 304 Main Street, Suite 301, Ames, Iowa 50010; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail].

 

The admissions decision is based on:

1. A completed Dietetic Internship Centralized Application;
2. Marywood University graduate admission application;
3. Registration online for D & D digital computer matching at www.dnddigital.com;

All students must be accepted by Graduate Admissions. Acceptance into a graduate program may come prior to internship decisions. Acceptance into an M.S. program does not guarantee internship acceptance.

Retention in the Dietetic Internship Program

Required maintenance of:

1. A satisfactory (B) grade in all courses with a supervised practice component and at least a competent score in all learning outcomes.
2. Satisfactory completion of all other required coursework with at least a (B) average in all courses other than supervised practice.
3. A student must have at least a B average to receive a Verification Statement.

Completion

Upon successful completion of all the internship requirements, students will be awarded a Marywood University signed verification statement of internship completion and graduate degree. The DI verification statement is required to take the RDN Exam administrated by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Curriculum

The Dietetic Internship at Marywood University offers experiences in clinical dietetics (MNT), food systems management, long term care, and community nutrition. The supervised practice requires utilizing many health care facilities, which, for the onsite track, are located in the greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area and, for the distance track, are located in the home area of the student.

The MUMDDI requires 36 credits for completion. The cost per credit is listed in Marywood University Financial Facts.

The supervised practice rotations provide modules/planned experiences through Moodle. The Moodle-based course complements the supervised practice with discussion forums, chat rooms, and web links.

Additional Costs after Acceptance

• 36 graduate credits and other posted fees.
• books for five semesters
• transportation for five semesters – a car is necessary
• clothing for professional components
• medical exam and immunizations
• field trip expenses
• criminal background check
• FBI fingerprint check
• child abuse check
• medical insurance
• a drug screen may be required by some facilities
• malpractice insurance
• onsite orientation prior to supervised practice rotations

Call Program Director for details.

MUMDDI Course Plan (36 credits)

Fall Semester Year 1 – 6 credits

ND 560	Biochemistry of Nutrition & Exercise	3
ND 581	The Energy Nutrients and Alcohol	3

Spring Semester Year 1 – 6 credits

ND 582	Advanced Nutrition Vitamins and Minerals	3
ND 590	Research Methodology	3

Summer Sessions – 7.5 credits

ND 530	Health Promotion	3
ND 565	Supervised Practice: Community Nutrition	1.5
ND 537	Entrepreneurship in N & D	3

Fall Semester Year 2 – 7.5 credits

ND 535	Organizational Leadership in Healthcare	3
ND 566	Supervised Practice: Food Systems?Management	1.5
ND 591	Statistical Analysis	3

Spring Semester Year 2 – 9 credits

ND 531	Epidemiology	3
ND 500	Professional Practice in Dietetics	1
ND 568	Supervised Practice: Clinical Dietetics	6
ND 596	Capstone Experience	3

Note: ND 596 or ND 595 A, B & C