Dietetic Internship

Bastyr University Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science Vision Statement
To be the leader in advancing a holistic view of nutrition and exercise through excellence in education, research and clinical practice.

Mission Statement
The Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science will promote well-being through food and activity that nourishes and sustains the individual, the community and the Earth.

Bastyr Dietetic Internship Program Philosophy
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship will effectively deliver an internship that meets the accreditation standards set by the American Dietetic Association, while supporting the mission statement of the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science.

Bastyr Dietetic Internship Mission
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.

Dietetic Internship Description
The Bastyr University dietetic internship is based upon the American Dietetic Association (ADA) 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. Nine applicants may be accepted for the program each academic year.

Natural Medicine Concentration
As a program offered through the Department of Nutrition and 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% of 38 week program).
- Five year summary reports will consistently reflect that at least 90% of all first-time exam-takers will have passed the Registration Examination for dietitians.
- At least 75% of internship graduates who seek employment will obtain employment in the field within 3 months after internship program completion.
- At least 75% 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% 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% 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% 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% 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% of professional competencies related to entry-level team dynamics skills and leadership potential

Curriculum Description
The internship begins in September and ends in June. The internship consists of 39 weeks, and is a full-time program. Included are 1200 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.

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, public health 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.

Program Completion Requirements
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.

Program

Orientation – 1 week
Research and Major Group Projects – approximately 80 hours
Public Health, Child Nutrition and Community Nutrition Experiences – 7-11 weeks
Clinical Experience – 10 weeks hospital plus 6-9 additional weeks in various settings
Food Service Experience – 4 weeks
Enrichment Experiences – 1 to 4 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.

Admission Requirements
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 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.
Applicants must complete an application packet which includes the following:

Completed Bastyr University application.
Completed ADA Dietetic Internship application.
One-page typed letter of application to include a) professional interest in the field of nutrition, natural medicine and Bastyr University, and b) professional goals.
Three letters of recommendation (ADA Waiver and Recommendation Form are to be included): one letter related to work experience and two letters related to academic performance.
All official transcripts.
DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent.
Non-refundable $75 application fee, with check written to "Bastyr University."

Application Information
Download and print the 2010-2011 Bastyr University Dietetic Internship application packet here or request a packet by mail by calling Bastyr Admissions at (425) 602-3332. All applications must be postmarked on or before the American Dietetic Association February application deadline date. Applicants are informed of acceptance by mail through the computer matching system. Mail completed applications to:

Admissions Office
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive NE
Kenmore, WA 98028

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 (www.dnddigital.com) by the February ADA 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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Expenses

Tuition and fees: $8,895
This total dollar amount includes: $1,800 tuition plus 15 graduate credits ($465 per credit for 2009-2010 = $6975), plus a health fee of $40/quarter ($120). Interns are billed for three installments of $2965 each, with tuition/fees due on the first day of fall, winter and spring quarters. Fees cover administration of the program as well as the graduate credits. A few scholarships are available, and Interns will be notified of these. Interns are encouraged to apply for any scholarships available to them.
Non-refundable application fee: $75
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 $14,539 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 ADA Foundation Scholarships, the annual WSDA Ruth Lenore Harris Scholarship, and others. Information about state and local scholarships is made available to interns in the program as they are received by the program director.

Contact Information:
Debra A. Boutin, MS, RD
Chair, Department of Nutrition & Exercise Science
Dietetic Internship Director
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive NE
Kenmore, WA 98028-4966
Phone: (425) 602-3124
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Accreditation Status
The Bastyr University Dietetic Internship is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
Phone: (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: www.eatright.org/cade
Bastyr University is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.