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Mission Statement of the Department of Food and Nutrition Dietetic Internship Program:

The philosophy of the Department of Food and Nutrition's Dietetic Internship is based on Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) commitment to higher education and our vision of the characteristics of the professional of the future. The professional of the future will shape the food choices and impact the nutritional status of the public. The professional of the future will need to exhibit:

• A thorough understanding of food and nutrition theory;
• Excellence in the delivery of quality programs and services;
• The ability to educate the public using food and nutrition theories;
• Leadership skills;
• Ethical behavior;
• Respect for diverse societies and viewpoints;
• The ability to collaborate with others;
• The ability to manage materials and resources;
• Commitment to life-long learning skills;
• Critical thinking skills;
• Communication skills;
• An ability to adapt to change;
• An ability to utilize emerging technology; and
• A commitment to advocacy for the profession.

To prepare the professional for the future, this Dietetic Internship provides students with practice skills in Clinical Nutrition, Management (Foodservice and Community), and emphasis specializations in Nutrition Education and Nutrition Intervention. The IUP Dietetic Internship is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE; phone 312-899-0040, ext. 5400) of The American Dietetic Association (ADA), 216 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; July 1998 with continued accreditation confirmed December, 2003.

Goals of the Program

Graduates will:

• Possess a sound scientific knowledge base about nutrition, dietetics and food science as evidenced by maintaining a 3.0 grade point average in graduate course work.
• Demonstrate research skills, problem solving, and critical thinking by completing a capstone research project at the practice site.
• Exhibit written, technological and oral communication skills as demonstrated through course work and practice rotations.
• Pass the ADA Registration examination with at least 80% of the graduates passing at the first testing.
• Exhibit entry-level competencies for dietetic practice in clinical dietetics, community nutrition and food service management as based on evaluation instruments at the completion of the practice rotation.
• Obtain an emphasis specialization in nutrition education and intervention upon completion of the nutrition education and nutrition intervention rotations.
• Exhibit ethical, professional behavior by following the ADA Code of Ethics.
• Participate in professional development by establishing a professional career plan for continuing education that includes life-long learning and by participating in career-related professional associations and meetings.
  

• A Dietetic Internship with emphasis in Nutrition Education and Nutrition Intervention
• Students completing the program become eligible to take the American Dietetic Association Registration Examination
• An opportunity to complete both ADA experiential requirements while earning graduate credits and the opportunity to subsequently complete a Master of Science degree in Nutrition
• IUP Library with 770,000 book volumes, 100,000 bound periodicals, 1.7 million items of microforms, 3,900 periodic subscriptions, 35,000 media holdings, and in excess of 24,000 volumes of government publication. IUP Libraries are accessible through an on-line catalog and on-line searching is available.
• IUP campus computer laboratories with the latest versions of Microsoft Office, optic fiber network links to the Internet, nutrient analysis and statistical analysis programs
• Applied Research Laboratory providing statistical support for graduate student research
• The potential for a Graduate Assistantship after dietetic internship completion to support your second year of graduate study through a partial/full tuition waiver and stipend
• Located in a semi-rural community within commuting distance of Pittsburgh

Our program features four supervised practice experiences of 30-35 hours per week scheduled over four, ten-week rotations for a total of 1200 hours. The student will enroll in eight credits of graduate study (Dietetic Practice I) prior to supervised practice, six to nine credits of Graduate Internship of which six can be applied to the Master of Science (MS) degree, and four credits of Dietetic Practice II at the completion of supervised practice. The student will earn 18 graduate credits that can be applied to the MS degree. The program begins during IUP's Summer Session II and is completed at the end of Summer Session I the following year, allowing students to be eligible to take the ADA Registration Examination approximately 6-8 weeks following verification of program completion. The remaining MS degree requirements (approximately 15 credits) can be completed during a second year of graduate study. The four supervised practice rotations are:

• Nutrition Intervention: 250 hours
  Individual nutrition counseling practice in programs whose primary focus is wellness, cardiac  rehabilitation, and private practice.
• Nutrition Education: 200 hours
  Instructional design, implementation, and evaluation will be observed and practiced in a variety of agencies, schools, and the regional dairy council. Emphasis is on the learning paradigm and is student, patient, client centered.
• Clinical Nutrition: 330 hours
  Practice of nutrition assessment and implementation of clinical care is included at both acute and extended care facilities.
• Management:
  • Food Service Systems: 245 hours (plus approximately 80 hours spent in FDNT601)
    Management skills are developed in both acute and extended care facilities, school feeding programs. Included are opportunities to participate in quality assurance, cost control, and catering functions
  • Community Nutrition: 105 hours
    Needs assessment, and practice skills are observed and developed in a variety of social agencies such as WIC,VNA, Head Start, and PKU Clinic.

The IUP Dietetic Internship can be completed in twelve months; however one or two additional semesters are usually necessary to complete the MS degree requirements.

• Dietetic Internship Application Fee $ 25.00

• Fees
There are two fees associated with the program, Dietetic Internship fees and graduate tuition fees. Dietetic Internship fees are payable to “Nutrition Center”; graduate tuition fees are payable to “Indiana University of Pennsylvania.” Students will be billed for graduate tuition fees by the Accounts Receivable Department of IUP.

(1) Dietetic Internship $ 3,600.

Pay Schedule -

All payments are due on the date set. A $10.00 per business day late fee will be assessed if deadlines are not met.

(2) Graduate Tuition* and Fees***

* For financial aid purposes, a full-time graduate student is defined as any student taking nine (9) or more credits per semester (fall and spring). During the summer, all students, graduate and undergraduate, are charged per credit regardless of the number of credits registered. Students who schedule less than 9 are considered part-time and charged per credit ($336, in state students; $538, out of state students).

** Activity, Educational Services/Facilities, Registration, and Technology Fees. The health fee is optional--Plan A, $89.00; Plan B, $15.00. Refer to the Pechan Health Center website for specific details on each plan, www.iup.edu/healthcenter . Information on these fees may be found at www.iup.edu/bursar/tuitionfees/

*** Information for 2007-2008 fees were not available at this time. Check the site www.iup.edu/bursar/tuitionfees/ for current information.

• See Student Financial Services for the fee schedule for mandatory, optional, and miscellaneous fees

• Expenses associated with a physical exam, including a tuberculin test, urinalysis, rubella titer (approximately $83), and Hepatitis B (approximately $190). The student will assume the cost of the rubella titer (approximately $83) and Hepatitis B vaccine (approximately $190). Students may elect to have the physical performed by their own health care provider or at the Pechan Health Center (the university health facility). A sample form plus instructions are included in the handbook.
• The Pechan Health Center will charge a medical records fee of $15.00.
  All students must carry professional liability insurance—Healthcare Providers Service Organization, www.hpso.com. You may go directly to the website to apply. You will apply for Student/Dietitian/Full Time. A sample application has been included.
• Clothing required for FDNT 601, Foodservice Management/Theory and Practicum: all-white tee shirts, khaki pants, black or white leather sneakers, white bib aprons, IUP polo shirt and cap. The aprons, polo shirt and cap will be purchased at the start of class. Approximate cost will be $35-$40.
  Cost of instructional materials development (photocopying, laminating, supplies, etc.).
• The student will need access to a reliable automobile. The distance from Indiana to the experience site may vary from 20 to 60 miles, one way. Cost for operating the car can range from $1000 to $1500.
• Typical living expenses (residence hall) per semester are on average $1336 per month (single occupancy). For costs of the various housing options, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Off-campus housing will vary from these costs. Meal plans may also be purchased.
• The cost of textbooks, laboratory coats and supplies averages $500.
• Students are expected to join the American Dietetic Association as an affiliate member at a cost of $43.00 per year.
• The National Restaurant Association ServSafe Certification Course will cost $65. This includes the textbook, registration fee, and the comprehensive exam. Upon submission of a current (2 year) certification certificate, this course requirement will be waived.
• Act 34 Request for Criminal Record Check, $10.
• Act 151, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, $10.
• Negative urine drug screen, which includes cannaboids, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine, amphetamines, barbituates, benzodiazephines, within 10 days of the first day of the affiliation experience (clinical rotation). (Approximate cost $50)
  

 

Clinical Rotation

The clinical rotation is practiced at a variety of both acute and long-term care facilities. These sites include regional hospitals, community hospitals and long-term care facilities. Students will be scheduled in advance for these sites by the faculty coordinator. Students will be given an individualized plan as to how the objectives will be accomplished for each site.

Facilities include: Alle-Kiski Medical Center, Altoona Regional Health System, Armstrong Center for Medicine and Health, Beverly Healthcare Mountainview, Brookville Hospital, Butler Memorial Hospital, The Communities at Indian Haven, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, DuBois Area Regional Medical Center, Excela Health Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Indiana Regional Medical Center,
Laurel Crest Rehabilitation and Special Services Center, Punxsutawney Area Hospital/Laurel Crest Manor, St. Andrew’s Village.

Management Rotation

The purpose of this rotation is to provide the intern with knowledge about:

• food production (including but not limited to procurement, food preparation, delivery systems)
• foodservice management
• interpersonal communication skills (including but not limited to interviewing techniques, personnel evaluation, human resource management)
• food policies and procedures
• program funding and budgeting
• community-based program management
• quality assurance
• organizational evaluation
• menu development and evaluation
• food safety and kitchen sanitation

Sites Include: Armstrong School District, Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Homer-Center School District, Indiana Regional Medical Center, Pittsburgh Companies North, Regency Nursing Home, Somerset Area Agency on Agency.

Nutrition Education Rotation

Instructional design including lesson content which embraces using a variety of active learning strategies, lesson presentation and evaluation will be observed and practiced. Emphasis is on enhancing oral communication skills while incorporating current instructional technology into providing food and nutrition education for a variety of target audiences. Students will teach: (1) IUP non-major introductory lecture and laboratory classes, (2) a target audience of their choice other than college students, and (3) a nutrition education workshop for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council Mid-East. Current teaching and learning theories, particularly those which show how to shift from a teaching to a learning paradigm, will be researched as students write their own philosophy of teaching and learning. Mastery learning is used to evaluate all written assignments. Thus, several drafts will be required.

Nutrition Intervention Rotation

Individual and small group nutrition counseling practice will focus on wellness, perinatal care, weight management, cancer and renal dialysis treatment. During this experience, the student will provide nutrition counseling services through Community Nutrition Services, private physician offices, Magee Women’s Hospital, and Indiana Hospital Community Service and Perinatal Education. These experiences are completed concurrently for the ten-week rotation, with the student devoting a specific number of hours each week in each facility. Thus, the student participates in the continuing care of diverse clientele. Each student will be the team leader for a service-related project focused on marketing, evaluation, and/or service delivery, and will submit a comprehensive project report as a rotation requirement.

Sites Include: IUP Community Nutrition Service, Private Physician Offices, Indiana Regional Medical Center: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Center for Oncology Care, Dialysis Center, PKU Clinic, Indiana County Guidance Center, Women Caring for Women.

Admission to the Dietetic Internship is contingent upon being admitted to the IUP Graduate School.

Admission requirements for each are as follows:

Send the following to:
Dietetic Internship Director
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Department of Food and Nutrition
10 Ackerman Hall
Indiana, PA 15705

• Applications must be typed and submitted by the February ADA postmark date.
• ADA Supervised Practice Program Application Form.
• Typed letter stating your professional goals and objectives. It must include your interest areas, your strengths and weaknesses, what you can get from the IUP program, and what you can contribute to the program
• Resume
• "Intent to Complete" or "Verification of Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics"
• Official transcripts from all schools attended. A 3.0 grade point average or higher in undergraduate food, nutrition, and science course work is required
• Three (3) academic references using the standard ADA Recommendation form. Two of these references can be duplicated for submission with The Graduate School application. Your letters of recommendation should be of a professional, not a personal, nature. Please ask your recommenders to consider the following in their letters:
  • Your overall academic ability
  • Your communication skills
  • Your leadership ability and decision-making skills
  • Your work performance skills
  • We recognize that each recommender may not comment on all of these attributes, but you should choose recommenders so that each of these areas is discussed.
• Application Fee $25.00. Make check payable to the IUP Nutrition Center

• Application for admission to IUP Graduate School
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• Two academic letters of reference (Your recommender can duplicate his or her internship letter for submission with the graduate application)
• An official transcript from all schools attended
• Application fee
• We encourage you to visit our campus by calling (724)-357-4440 to make arrangements prior to your visit. We reserve the right to ask you to participate in a telephone interview.

If you have ANY questions or would like to learn more about our dietetic internship, please feel free to contact us.