UNH Dietetic Internship
Program Overview
The University of New Hampshire Dietetic Internship is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association (312/899-4817), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
The purpose of the UNH Dietetic Internship is to recruit and educate a mix of both traditional and non-traditional students who meet the program's admission criteria, and to function as capable, competent entry level dietitians in clinical nutrition, food service management, and community nutrition services.
The major advantage of the UNH Internship is the size of 8-10 students per year. In addition, students have the benefit of one-on-one mentorship. This combination provides individualized attention yet ensures personal interaction with other interns.
The concentration of our full-time program is Health Promotion/Disease Prevention. Interns will gain this expertise through active participation and engagement in a variety of food service, community and clinical affiliations. Interns will gain entry level skills to promote health and wellness, provide nutrition education, engage in clinical care, and participate in nutrition and dietetics program research and assessment. This focus incorporates the UNH philosophy that sustainable, safe and accessible food systems, health promotion and treatment, as well as nutrition assessment and intervention are integral components of dietetics training.
Although the concentration of our full-time program is Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, interns must demonstrate proficiency by meeting competencies in all areas of dietetics. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Dietetic Registration Examination and, when passed, practice as Registered Dietitians.
The UNH Dietetic Internship Program prepares the student for an entry-level dietetic position in a hospital, food service, or community setting. Through our program, the student receives a balanced exposure to clinical dietetics and food service, community nutrition, and management. Additionally, there is some exposure to applied research.
The student obtains clinical skills through practical experiences that include evaluating nutritional status of patients/clients, developing nutrition care plans, assessing the impact that nutrition intervention has on the patient's/client's health, and providing nutrition education to individuals and groups.
Participation in community agency rotations allows the intern to assess and document the needs of a specific population group. The experience provides opportunities to develop educational programs and materials based on need. Additionally, the intern will be responsible for managing and evaluating one component of the nutrition education program.
Through the administrative and food service rotations of the program, the student learns skills which allow him/her to assist in the management of at least one aspect of a large food production/delivery system and to manage an entire operation that is smaller in scope. These skills include human resource management and development, menu planning and production scheduling, and the development and use of specifications in proper procurement procedures.
As the student progresses though the program, s/he acquires skills needed to assume the responsibilities of an entry-level dietitian. Additionally, the student develops an awareness of the environment within which dietitians work, including the legal, economic, and political forces that affect the profession. The benefit of active participation in the American Dietetic Association is highlighted, and an appreciation for the strength of the dietetic profession is cultivated. The program demonstrates the importance of commitment to acquire current knowledge in the chosen area of specialization within the profession.
Licensure is mandatory for all Registered Dietitians in the state of New Hampshire. For guidelines and the application process, go to: http://www.eatrightnh.org/index.php?go=licensure
For further information, please contact:
Lisa Corman, R.D., L.D.
UNH Dietetic Internship
Kendall Hall
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
(603) 862-4723
lcorman@comcast.net
