UNH Dietetic Internship Program
Program Overview
Our Purpose: To recruit and educate 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. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Dietetic Registration Examination and, when passed, practice as Registered Dietitians.
Our Uniqueness: Because our program enrolls 8 to 10 students per year, our interns have the benefit of one-on-one mentorship. This provides individualized attention yet ensures personal interaction with other interns.
Our Focus: With a focus on Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, our interns will:
- actively participate and engage in a variety of food service, community, and clinical affiliations.
- 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.
- meet competencies in all areas of dietetics.
Our Highlights: 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. In addition, our interns:
- obtain 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.
- participate in community agency rotations that allow interns to assess and document the needs of a specific population group.
- learn skills that 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, including human resource management and development, menu planning and production scheduling, and the development and use of specifications in proper procurement procedures.
- acquire skills needed to assume the responsibilities of an entry-level dietitian.
- develop 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.
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
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.
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
