Dietetic Internship

Established in 1940, the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship is a 48-week, full-time professional educational program. During the program period, dietetic interns apply theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to hands-on, clinical acute care settings. The program’s focus is on Nutrition Therapy, with additional experiences in Ambulatory Nutrition, Food Service Systems Management, and Corporate Wellness.

During the program year, dietetic interns are scheduled to rotate through different units at NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, NYP/Allen Hospital, NYP/Lower Manhattan Hospital, NYP/Westchester Hospital, NYP/Westchester Behavioral Health Center, and NYP/Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. In these settings, interns learn, practice, and assume all the varied responsibilities required of an entry-level dietitian. The program provides at least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experiences. Classes, lectures, meetings, specialty area assignments, and projects supplement and support the clinical learning experiences. For most rotations, the preceptor to intern ratio is one-to-one.

Qualification for graduation from the Dietetic Internship Program includes successful completion of all rotation and program assignments, written assignments, examinations, special projects, and oral presentations. Dietetic interns also must fulfill their graduate degree requirement (completion of a graduate degree prior to matriculation into the program or completion of a graduate degree by end of program or within a reasonable timeframe as per ACEND) prior to receiving their DI Verification Statement.

Upon completion of the Dietetic Internship requirements (successfully completion of all internship experiences and conferral of a graduate degree), graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the credentialing examination for Dietitians. Completion of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program also meets the experience requirement for certification in dietetics-nutrition by New York State.

Dietetic Intern Appointments and Class Entrance Date

Fall 2024 Application Cycle: A maximum of sixteen dietetic interns may be appointed to the 48-week program starting on March 10, 2025.

Spring 2025 Application Cycle: A maximum of sixteen dietetic interns may be appointed to the 48-week program starting on September 8, 2025. A maximum of sixteen dietetic interns may be appointed to the 48-week program starting on March 9, 2026.

Accreditation

The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.

Mission

The mission of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program, an accredited professional educational program, which offers post-baccalaureate training in Nutrition and Dietetics with a focus in Nutrition Therapy, is to provide the dietetic intern with educational experiences that are reflective of the evolving practice of Nutrition and Dietetics. Upon completion of the Dietetic Internship Program, the graduate will understand evidence-based, compassionate, culturally competent, cost-effective, and ethical practice and will be able to assume all of the varied responsibilities generally required of a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist in an entry-level position.

Goals and Outcome Measures

Program Goal One: Prepare dietetic intern graduates to be competent entry-level Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists.

Outcome Measures for Program Goal One:

• At least 95% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship survey will describe the overall preparation that they received in Clinical Dietetics during the Dietetic Internship Program at least at a satisfactory rating; at least 90% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship survey will describe the overall preparation that they received in Food Service Systems Management and Ambulatory Nutrition during the Dietetic Internship Program at least at a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey).
• At least 80% of students complete the program requirements within 72 weeks (150% of the program length).
• 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• 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%.
• Of graduates who seek employment, 95% are employed in Nutrition and Dietetics or related fields within twelve months of graduation (1-year post-graduation survey).
• At least 95% of employers responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship Survey will indicate overall preparation of graduates for assuming their present job responsibilities as at least a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey sent to employers).

Program Goal Two: Provide dietetic intern graduates with a foundation for professional development and leadership.

Outcome Measures for Program Goal Two:

• At least 90% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship Survey will describe the training that they received in leadership, including preparation to precept students in health care, during the Dietetic Internship Program as at least a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey).

Outcomes data is available upon request by contacting Catherine Zymaris, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, Administrator of the Dietetic Internship Program.