Program Overview

Introduction to the MS in Public Health Nutrition Dietetic Internship

The primary goal of this 16-month program is to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for employment in public health or community agencies. A minimum of 30 semester hours of combined academic work and supervised practice is required to earn the degree.

Program Overview

Supervised practice is concurrent with coursework, utilizing local agencies for the translation of theory and science into practice. The program includes a twelve-week experience in an out-of-state public health or community agency that has a strong nutrition program. A minimum of 1320 hours of supervised practice is required to complete the internship and receive a verification statement.

Curriculum and Specializations

In addition to the required public health nutrition curriculum, students may elect to complete a certificate in Maternal and Child Nutrition. If the certificate program is selected, supervised practice and elective coursework will be geared toward the specific population group.

Accreditation and Licensure

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam and, after passing the RDN exam, apply for licensure in states with dietetics licensure laws. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Mission and Goals

The mission of the dietetic internship is to serve as an integral component of the Department of Nutrition's commitment to prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists, with a focus on public health/community nutrition.

Goal 1: Train Dietetic Interns

• Objective 1: At least 80% of student interns will complete all program and degree requirements within 24 months (150% of program length).
• Objective 2: At least 85% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• Objective 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 4: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 85% will be employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 5: Within a five-year period, 50% of employed graduates will be working in the public health/community nutrition arena.

Goal 2: Curriculum Satisfaction

• Objective 1: At least 90% of surveyed employers of program graduates indicate that they will continue hiring graduates of the MS in Public Health Nutrition Dietetic Internship.
• Objective 2: At least 90% of surveyed employers of program graduates agree that the MS in Public Health Nutrition Dietetic Internship has prepared graduates as competent entry-level practitioners.

Schedule

• 1st Fall (August – December): Students are registered for academic coursework only.
• Spring (January – April): Students are scheduled for supervised practice Tuesday – Friday with academic coursework on Monday and/or in the evening.
• Summer (May – August): Students are scheduled Monday – Friday at an out-of-town public health or community agency.
• 2nd Fall (August – December): Students are scheduled for supervised practice Tuesday – Friday with academic coursework on Monday or in the evening.

Program History

The MS in Public Health Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University was established in 1941 and was the first such program in the United States. The program was developed as a response to interest by state health departments in graduate education for their nutritionists. To date, over 450 students have graduated from the program.

Accreditation Details

The MS in Public Health Nutrition Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians or dietetic technicians, registered. ACEND is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.