Each year, 12 -16 graduate student interns will be admitted. The number of graduate student interns admitted will be based on availability of rotation sites/preceptors. Students are required to complete a Capstone Project. (This is a non-thesis MS program.) View the Master of Science in Allied Health with a Concentration in Nutrition degree plan. Graduate student interns will only be eligible to receive a verification statement upon the successful completion of the MS-DI program, including Capstone project and supervised practicum.
The program consists of a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice and ~190 hours of supervised practice-didactic classroom instruction. Graduate student interns work full time 32-40 hours/week and attend a weekly supervised practice didactic class (Mondays only) on the University campus. The program provides supervised practice in a variety of settings in the Augusta area. The program has a medical nutrition therapy (clinical) concentration. Rotation sites/facilities includes hospitals, bariatric clinics, benign hematological clinic, dialysis centers, school district, public health departments, and long term care. Interns are randomly assigned to facilities/sites. Augusta University does not pay nor provide a stipend to graduate student interns.
The program offers an in-depth knowledge and professional skills required for practice of dietetics/nutrition. The program fosters and promotes for advancement to leadership roles in the nutrition and dietetic profession. An attempt is made to match the interns to sites and/or experiences to support their interests and career goals. The supervised practice experiences will meet entry level competencies established by the accrediting agency. Each student has the opportunity to gain additional needs, preferences and interests in the Open and Enrichment rotations. The table below lists rotations and the approximate distribution of weeks and hours.
Rotation Schedule
| Rotations | Weeks | Hours |
| Medical Nutrition Therapy MNT Domain | ||
|---|---|---|
| MNT 1 | 3 | 96 |
| MNT 2 | 9 | 288 |
| MNT Concentration | 3 | 96 |
| MNT Outpatient | 3 | 96 |
| MNT Staff Relief | 3 | 96 |
| Total | 21 | 672 |
| Public Health Domain | ||
| Community Nutrition | 5 | 160 |
| Health Promotion | 2 | 64 |
| Child and Adolescent Nutrition | 1 | 32 |
| Total | 7 | 224 |
| Management Domain | ||
| Institutional Food Service, Production and Management | 3 | 96 |
| Patient Food Service | 2 | 64 |
| Total | 5 | 160 |
| Self-Select | ||
| Open | 1 | 40 |
| Enrichment | 2 | 64 |
| Self-select | 3 | 96 |
| Supervised Practicum Total | 36 | 1152 |
| Activities/Holidays | Weeks |
| Orientation (Year 1) | 1 |
| RDN Exam Prep (Year 2) | 1 |
| Internship Didactic Class (Year 2) | Every Monday (6-8 hours) |
| Thanksgiving Holiday (Year 2) | 1 |
| Christmas Holiday (Year 2) | 2 |
| Spring Break (Year 2) | 1 |
MS Coursework
| Fall 1 | ||
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| FDNS 7100 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| STATS 6300 | Intro to Epidemiology & Biostatistics | 3 |
| FDNS 7200 | Advanced Macronutrients | 3 |
| FDNS 7380 | Maternal, Infant & Child Nutrition | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Spring 1 | ||
| FDNS 7210 | Advanced Micronutrients | 3 |
| FDNS 7300 | Advanced Nutritional Status Assessment Tech | 2 |
| FDNS 7350 | Nutrition for Older Adults | 2 |
| CAHS 6501 | Evidence Based Practice | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| FDNS 7850 | Dietetic Internship 1 | 3 |
| FDNS 7800 | Nutrition Independent Study | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| FDNS 7900 | Nutritional Genomics | 3 |
| FDNS 7400 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | 4 |
| FDNS 7850 | Dietetic Internship 2 | 3 |
| FDNS 6500 | Special Topics in Nutrition and Foods | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| CAHS 7200 | Capstone Project | 2 |
| FDNS 7850 | Dietetic Internship 3 | 3 |
| FDNS 7380 | Food Culture, and Sustainability | 2 |
| FDNS 7500 | Obesity: Prevention, Treatment and Management | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Program Credit Hours | 45 | |
Program Information
Applicant Ranking and Interview: Applicants will be ranked using standard criteria on the basis of: academic performance, work and volunteer experience in the field, evidence of maturity, interpersonal skills, leadership potential, and self-direction, quality of reference, and compatibility of applicant’s goals with the mission of our program. Top applicants will be selected for telephone interviews. The interview will be approximately 15-20 minutes long. The interviews will take place in early March.
International Interns: International interns are responsible to ensuring they will have appropriate documentation (visa) to allow graduate student interns adequate time to complete the program.
Maximum Time for Internship Completion: All graduate student interns should complete the program within 150% of the initial program length (21 months), which is equal to 31.5 months. All graduate student interns will be required to successfully complete the MS course work, Capstone Project and supervised practice hours to be eligible to receive a verification statement.
Academic Credit: No academic credit from previous degree will be granted.
Policy Statement on Prior Assessed Learning: The MS-DI Program at Augusta University does not grant supervised practice hours credit for prior learning or competence.
Intern Employment: The Program Director and preceptors are sympathetic to the graduate student interns’ need for employment, it is highly discouraged during the supervised practicum (Year 2). The supervised practicum is fast paced and the demand and commitment is similar to a full time job.
Computer: Interns must have a printer with scanning capability, personal computer/laptop with Internet access are required. For computer/laptop requirements, click here.
Intern Resources: Augusta University provides a wide range of resources designed to support and promote academic success and personal health and well-being. The services includes academic and career advising, counseling, and disability services. A comprehensive list and description of services that are offered are available in the University’s Student Manual [pdf].
Pre-Placement Requirements
DPD Verification Statements: Graduate student interns must present an original copy of their DPD Verification Statement before or at the start of the program (August). These statements are generated by the student’s DPD program director. The DPD Verification Statement is granted after the student has completed the necessary curriculum and standards set forth by the granting institution.
Final Transcripts: All graduate student interns must submit a final official transcript to the Program Director before or at the start of program. The transcripts must indicate the type of degree awarded and the date.
Immunizations and Health Clearance: All the interns are required to provide evidence of being current on all the necessary vaccinations and immunizations. Documentation of a physical examination that takes place June-August of the year of the internship start must also be provided. The intern’s most recent tuberculosis (TB) test must be negative and completed within the past year or more recent according to partner agency/placement. Required immunizations include MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox vaccine or documentation of chicken pox. The intern is required to carry his/her personal health (medical) insurance throughout the internship. As of the academic year 2017 -18, interns will be covered by the student health insurance offered by Augusta University.
Transportation: Graduate student interns are responsible for their transportation to and from affiliated facilities including attending class, professional meetings and conferences. Public transportation may not be readily available in the Augusta area. It is required that graduate student interns have their own mode of reliable transportation. The intern is responsible for having a valid driver license, vehicle insurance, registration, and license.
Background Checks and Drug Screening: Graduate student interns will be working in facilities (i.e. hospitals, schools) that require criminal background checks and/or drug screens. The program will accept the policies of the site if an intern is reject an intern due to criminal background check and drug screening issues. Once admitted to the program, the graduate student interns will be required to obtain a criminal background check and drug screening done. Results must be sent to the directly to the Program Director by the agency conducting the testing. Rotation sites may request copies or verification of background checks and drug screening results from the Program Director. The graduate student intern is required to sign a consent form to permit the sharing of intern’s information with affiliated rotation sites. Also, the graduate student interns will disclose their date of birth and possibly social security number in order to assist facilities with their own background checks and clearance to access patient or client’s information. During the program all graduate student interns are required to self-disclose criminal convictions that occur within three business days of the conviction. Failure to do so, may result in dismissal from the program.
Liability Insurance: Graduate student interns must maintain dietetic practice liability insurance throughout the program at a minimum of $1/$3 million. Augusta University will provide liability insurance to graduate student interns at a nominal fee.
Professional Memberships: Graduate student interns are required to maintain and update Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics memberships and the Augusta Area Dietetic Association memberships during the program.
Completion Requirements
All graduate student interns must achieve a letter grade of “B” or higher on all graduate courses, 80% or higher on supervised practicum performance evaluations, projects, assignments, exit exam, and other activities assigned by the preceptors and/or Program Director. Graduate student interns meeting the criteria, will receive an ACEND Verification Statement signed by the Director. Graduate student interns (graduates) will then be eligible to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Exam.
