Program Summary - Dietetic Internship
The Bastyr University dietetic internship is based upon the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (The Academy) Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards (ERAS) and is designed to meet performance requirements for entry-level dietitians. The program includes didactic course work and enrichment experiences. The internship provides a supervised practice experience in which interns can achieve competency in all required areas of dietetics and nutrition. Up to 12 applicants may be accepted for the program each academic year.
Program Mission Statement
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship educates future leaders in the dietetic profession who will integrate whole foods, environmental nutrition and complementary medicine perspectives into their nutrition practice.
Natural Medicine Concentration
As a program offered through the Department of Nutrition & Exercise Science, the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship has a natural medicine emphasis. Interns have the opportunity to practice with clinicians in both the naturopathic and the acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs at the university's teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Interns are introduced to non-Western dietary systems, create whole foods menus, educate about potential herb-drug interactions, and develop holistic wellness goals for clients.
Program Goals and Outcome Measures
- The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship prepares competent entry-level dietitians.
- Each intern will successfully complete the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship within 13 months' time of program start (150 percent of 38 week program).
- Five year summary reports will consistently reflect that at least 90 percent of all first-time exam-takers will have passed the Registration Examination for dietitians.
- At least 75 percent of internship graduates who seek employment will obtain employment in the field within 3 months after internship program completion.
- At least 75 percent of internship graduates who seek graduate school/higher education will be accepted into a program within 3 months after internship program completion.
- In the annual internship graduate employer surveys, respondents will choose the highest rating indicating employment preparedness on at least 80 percent of professional competencies.
- The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates to provide food and nutrition expertise that effectively supports integrated healthcare, incorporating whole foods, complementary medicine perspectives, and environmental considerations into nutrition care and protocols.
- At least 90 percent of internship graduate survey respondents will choose the highest rating indicating preparedness in areas related to whole foods, environmental nutrition practices, and complementary medicine perspectives.
- In the annual internship graduate employer surveys, respondents will choose the highest rating indicating employment preparedness on at least 80% of professional competencies related specifically to whole foods, environmental nutrition practices, and complementary medicine perspectives.
- The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship is an educational experience which respectfully and supportively promotes the well-being and personal development of each intern, fosters effective team dynamic skill development, and empowers interns to be leaders.
- Interns currently enrolled in the program will indicate at least a 90 percent rate of satisfaction on indicators related to program organization, learning activities/experiences and minimal barriers to learning, as assessed on a quarterly basis.
- Interns currently enrolled in the program will indicate at least a 90 percent rate of satisfaction with their ability to work effectively, efficiently and cooperatively as a team.
- In the annual internship graduate employer surveys, respondents will choose the highest rating indicating graduate excellence on at least 80 percent of professional competencies related to entry-level team dynamics skills and leadership potential
Accreditation Status
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
Phone: (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
E-mail: acend[at]eatright[dot]org
Web site: www.eatright.org/acend
Bastyr University is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.
Curriculum - Dietetic Internship
The internship begins in September and ends in June. The internship consists of 39 weeks, and is a full-time program. Included are 1,200 supervised practice hours, plus a minimum of 100 didactic hours. The program includes 15 graduate credits, a portion of which may be applied toward a master of science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University upon acceptance into the master's program.
The graduate course content is structured to complement the supervised practice components of the internship. Interns meet weekly for seminar style classes in fall and winter quarters for the didactic portion of the program. Additional hours beyond the full-time scheduled program are required for project completion and self-preparation.
Program Timeline
- Orientation – 1 week
- Major Group Projects – approximately 80 hours
- Community Nutrition Experiences – 7-11 weeks
- Research – 1 week
- Clinical Experience – 10 weeks hospital plus 6-9 additional weeks in various settings
- Food Service Experience – 4 weeks
- Enrichment Experiences – 1 to 3 weeks
- Final Evaluation Experiences – 1 week
Two weeks of winter vacation are scheduled, and one week of spring vacation is arranged with each intern. The following holidays are observed: Thanksgiving and the following day; Martin Luther King Day; Presidents' Day; Memorial Day.
Practicum Experiences
Interns gain experience in clinical dietetics, community nutrition and food service systems and management. Interns develop insight into the special nutritional needs of populations by rotating through a variety of sites which include hospitals, community nutrition programs including WIC and Child Nutrition Services, outpatient clinics, and food service facilities.
The rotations are designed to give interns the opportunity to work with individuals from all stages of the life cycle, with varying health conditions. In addition to the regular rotations, interns coordinate Enrichment Experience rotations to accommodate individual areas of interest and learning needs.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship has established the following expected learning outcomes. Graduates of the program will:
- Meet eligibility requirements to write the registration examination to become a registered dietitian (RD).
- Demonstrate all the competencies required to practice as a competent entry-level dietitian.
- Provide exceptional nutrition and dietetic practice to individuals and institutions that effectively supports integrated healthcare, incorporating whole foods, complementary medicine perspectives, and environmental considerations into nutrition care and protocols.
Admission Requirements - Dietetic Internship
Applicants must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nutrition, dietetics or equivalent program from an accredited educational institution. Additionally, the Verification Statement, indicating the completion of a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) program or the statement indicating an Intention to Complete a DPD program prior to the start of the internship, is required.
A strong background in science and high academic performance are essential. Using a 4.0 scale, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for acceptance into the program. Experience, whether volunteer or paid, in clinical nutrition (hospital or long term care patient contact), quantity food service and community nutrition is highly desirable. Candidate finalists will be evaluated in a telephone interview.
Application Process
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship participates in the spring computer matching application process. Applicants to the internship must submit their application materials through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) by the February deadline established by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Fees associated with this centralized application process are $40 for the first application, and $20 for each additional application.
The following items must be uploaded by each applicant to the DICAS site:
- Completed The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (The Academy) Dietetic Internship application .
- Personal statement.
- Three references (The Academy Waiver and Recommendation Form): one reference is to be related to work experience and two references are to be related to academic performance.
- All official transcripts.
- DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent.
In addition to the above items, the following two supplemental application materials are required for the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship.
- Completed Bastyr University application for certificate and non-degree programs, available for download here.
- Nonrefundable $75 application fee, with check written to "Bastyr University."
Both of these supplemental application materials must be postmarked by the February computer matching deadline established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and mailed to the following address:
Admissions Office
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive NE
Kenmore, WA 98028
Applicants are informed of acceptance through the computer matching system.
Computer Matching
Applicants to the internship must participate in computer matching. Applicants must register and enter their priority choices online on the D&D Digital website by the February Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics deadline. At the time of registration, a $50 registration fee via credit card is required.
D&D Digital
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, Iowa 50010-6148
Phone: (515) 292-0490
Fax: (515) 663-9427
E-mail: dnd[at]sigler[dot]com
Program Completion Requirements - Dietetic Internship
The Internship program has adopted the Achieved Competency system of grading used at Bastyr University. Interns must attain a level of well-defined competence in all internship graduate classes, program learning activities, and performance criteria of each rotation, and must successfully complete an exit exam with a minimum score of 75%. Evaluations occur at the end of each rotation, and evaluation conferences are required with the Program Director at the end of each academic quarter.
Expected Competencies
Graduates of the program meet eligibility requirements to write the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD), and subsequently will be eligible to apply to become a certified dietitian (CD) in the state of Washington. Bastyr internship graduates are qualified to provide exceptional nutrition and dietetic services to individuals and institutions and contribute positively to the nutrition awareness and health education of the community.
Expenses & Financial Aid - Dietetic Internship
Expenses
- Tuition and fees: $10,250
- This total dollar amount includes: $1,800 program fees plus 15 graduate credits $560 per credit for 2012-2013= $8400), plus a national criminal background check fee of $50. Interns are billed for three installments of $3,450 the first day of fall quarter and $3,400 the first day of winter and spring quarters. Fees cover administration of the program as well as the graduate credits.
- Non-refundable application fee: $75
- DICAS fees: $40 for first application and $20 for each additional application
- Computer matching fee: $50
- Books, supplies, immunizations, permits and miscellaneous fees: $800
- Additional conference fees and membership fees: $300
The intern is responsible for all food, housing, and transportation expenses. Interns must provide their own health insurance and automobile insurance in order to participate in the program. Food, housing, and transportation expenses for the greater Seattle area are estimated at $18,990 for the nine-month academic year.
Financial Aid
Because the Bastyr University Dietetic Internship is not a degree program, interns are not eligible for the traditional academic financial aid programs typically available to university students. Interns are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships as they are made available at the federal, state and local levels, including The Academy Foundation Scholarships and others. Information about state and local scholarships is made available to interns in the program as they are received by the program director.