SJSU Dietetic Internship Program

Program Description and Application Requirements

The SJSU dietetic internship (DI) is only available to SJSU students from the programs BS in Nutritional Science, Concentration in Dietetics or MS in Nutritional Science.

The DI at San José State University is a minimum 7 months (full time) supervised program with placement sites located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. 

Please review the SJSU DI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for additional info regarding the SJSU DI before emailing the DI Director.

->> SJSU DI FAQ Page <<-

The SJSU DI Brochure [link to Forms page] provides information about the application requirements and procedures. The SJSU DI Handbook [link to Forms page] provides an overview of the DI Program, includes a sample rotations schedule, and details program policies and procedures.

The SJSU DI participates in a preselection process and can select a maximum of 24 dietetic Interns per year. There are two rounds of applications each year. Please review the SJSU DI Application Timeline [PDF] to determine when applications are due.

If an applicant is not selected through the preselect process, she/he may apply to other DI programs through the computer matching process.

 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at San Jose State University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements: https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students.

 

SJSU DI Mission Statement

The mission of the SJSU Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is to provide a high-quality supervised practice experience that will prepare entry-level Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN) who are employable in dietetics and related fields and apply an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetic practice and life-long learning.

DI Director

Kasuen Mauldin, PhD, RD

kasuen.mauldin@sjsu.edu, Office: (408) 924-3109

Accreditation Status

The SJSU DI is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND),

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 Chicago, IL 60606-6995;

Phone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400; Fax: 312-899-4817; www.eatright.org/ACEND.

Program Goals and Objectives

Program Goal #1: Graduates of the program will be prepared to practice as entry-level Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN). Objectives:

  • Objective 1.1: At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 10.5 months (150% of the program length).
  • Objective 1.2: 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • Objective 1.3: 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%.
  • Objective 1.4: Of graduates who seek employment, 75% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • Objective 1.5: When surveyed 12 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rate the graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).
  • Objective 1.6: When surveyed 12 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rathe the graduate's ability to work effectively with culturally diverse populations as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).

Program Goal #2: Graduates of the program will develop skills that foster an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetic practice and life-long learning. Objectives:

  • Objective 2.1: At least 80% of program interns will apply the evidence-based practice model to facilitate a practice change and disseminate their knowledge gained as an abstract and poster presentation within 12 months of program completion.
  • Objective 2.2: When surveyed 12 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of SJSU DI graduates will report life-long learning activities.
  • Objective 2.3: When surveyed 12 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rate the graduate’s ability to incorporate evidence-based knowledge into practice as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).

The DI Program outcomes data are available upon written request to the DI Program Director.