Support Page Content
Sacramento State Dietetic Internship Program
Events and Announcements
Open House
Thank you to those who attended our Open House on Monday, November 4th, 2024 from 12-2pm Pacific time at our Sacramento State Downtown location. See below for our presentation slides and recording.
Zoom Recording
DICAS Application Deadline
Please submit your completed DI applications through DICAS by January 10th.
Accreditation Update
We are happy to announce we have renewed our accrediation with ACEND for a full 7-year term! Thank you to all who have supported us over the years.
Our Director(s)
Our director, Dr. Nadine Braunstein, is on sabbatical for the Fall 2024 semester. Please redirect all emails and inquiries to our interim director, Kellie Arita, at karita@csus.edu.
Meet Our 2024-2025 Dietetic Interns
What makes our program unique?
How The Program Works
The California State University, Sacramento Dietetic Internship Program is a 9-month internship that will provide full-time supervised practice with a minimum of 1100 hours of Supervised Practice (including 1062 hours in rotations and 38 hours for some activities that will happen during our scheduled group meeting times where competencies are fulfilled), some hours of "Alternate Supervised Practice" if rotation sites are unavailable, and 24 units of graduate didactic coursework that will fulfill the Core Competencies for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. On average, interns complete 1100 hours of Supervised Practice and Active Learning activities. All competencies must be met to receive a Verification Statement, even if you exceed the minimum or average hours. You pay for the program by paying tuition.
We currently offer two pathways:
- The first is only the 9-month internship detailed above. This option is relevant if you have completed your Master's degree or will have an anticipated completion date by the time the internship begins. Of 10 accredited spots, there will be 3 spots available for this option.
- The second is a combined, 21-month-long Master's DI. Interns who are accepted into this combined MS/DI will complete coursework during the first year (3 classes per semester), and pay for 18 units during the first year. People enrolled in the MS/DI will be considered full-time students of the 2-year program. During the second year of the program, the MS/DI students will pay for 24 units that include Field Study, similar to the people participating in the DI-only option. Of 10 accredited spots, there will be 7 spots available for this option.
Supervised practice at a variety of healthcare and community facilities is divided into five areas:
- Clinical Dietetics
- Food Service Management
- Community Nutrition
- Outpatient Dietetics
- Concentration Areas:
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- Advocacy and Public Policy
In addition to these areas of study, Sacramento State faculty and a variety of guest speakers will present current topics in dietetics to support supervised practice.
Learn More About Program Concentrations Here
A signed verification form from your Didactic Program in Dietetics is necessary before proceeding with the dietetic internship. Successful completion of this dietetic internship after following a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and completion of a Master's degree allows the intern to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
A two-week vacation is scheduled during the winter holidays, taking into consideration facility accommodations. Practice sites may require some weekend and holiday work.
Program Expectations
To facilitate learning and achieve the mission of the Sacramento State Dietetic Internship, interns enrolled in the program are expected to follow all policies and procedures and expectations as reviewed during Orientation.
A variety of educational approaches are used to facilitate student learning based on the ACEND requirements, mission and goals of the program, and the local job market. Interns are required to enroll in graduate coursework.
The courses provide a variety of learning experiences provided as lectures, presentations, class discussions, unique facility tours, guest lectures, and assignments that correlate with didactic competencies. Given our program mission and objectives, classroom lectures, field trip activities, role-playing, simulations, problem-based learning, case studies, and involvement in the community, clinical and food service organizations provide a comprehensive education along with networking, exposure, training and practice experience in the various dietetic careers to accomplish each required competency. The interaction with dietitians in various settings aims to increase interns’ interest and awareness in dietetics while meeting ACEND competencies. Our program will develop personal and professional attitudes and values, ethical practices, leadership, and decision-making skills required to become a successful dietitian. Professionalism is emphasized in the supervised practice and throughout the program.
Competencies that develop leadership and decision-making skills relevant to practice include: learning to recognize and influence the legislative process in the practice of dietetics; utilizing professional communication skills in the practice of dietetics; and establishing a program for professional development. The latter includes joining professional organizations and attending professional meetings. All interns are required to attend the CA Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference and the CA Academy Advocacy Summit. Interns are also required to be members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Northern Area District.
Application Process
Applications for the Sacramento State Dietetic Internship program are accepted through DICAS only. Please email the DI Director if you have additional questions.
What to include in your DICAS application packet:
- Documentation (through screenshot or scan) of paying the application fee of $50. Include this as a supplementary document. Your application will not be reviewed if this receipt is not attached.Pay Your Application Fee Here
- Note: Our $50 application fee is separate from the DICAS first program designation application fee of $50 (and $25 for each additional DICAS program designation).
- Personal statement responding to the following Sac State prompts:
- Describe your interest in the dietetics profession.
- What in particular about our program interests you? Why our program?
- Please describe your interest in our emphases: advocacy and public policy and/or disease prevention and health promotion.
- Describe your ability to work independently.
- What qualities do you have that make you a good match for Sac State?
- For MS/DI applicants only: Please describe your research interests.
- 8,000 characters or approximately 1,000 word limit
- Please include 3 letters of recommendation, with at least one from a college/university professor and one from a work supervisor (preferably in a position that relates to nutrition/dietetics/food).
- Mailing in a cover sheet is no longer necessary.
Admission Requirements:
- Overall DPD GPA of 3.0 or greater
- MNT grade(s) of B or higher within 5 years of the internship start date
- DPD Verification Statement by the start of the program (or Intent to Complete form in DICAS)
Dietetic Internship Eligibility
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
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 Sacramento State 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; however, California does not require licensure at this time.
Accreditation
