The MS-DI Internships Program provides students with the in-depth knowledge and professional
skills required to practice dietetics/nutrition. The program fosters and promotes
the 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 self-select rotation . The program assists the students with securing a self-select rotation.
Please Note
Academic Credit: No academic credit from a 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; however, it is highly discouraged during the supervised practicum
(Year 2). The supervised practicum is fast-paced, and the demand and commitment are
like a full-time job (32-40 hours a week).
DPD Verification Statements: Graduate student interns must present an original copy of their DPD Verification
Statement before or at the program's start (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 program's start. The transcripts must indicate the type
of degree awarded and the date.
Immunizations and Health Clearance: All 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 recently, according to the 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. Immunizations must be submitted to Student Health prior to enrollment.
Transportation: Graduate student interns are responsible for their transportation to and from affiliated
facilities, including attending classes, professional meetings, and conferences. Public
transportation may be limited in the Augusta area. It is required that graduate student
interns have their mode of reliable transportation. The intern must have a valid driver’s
license, vehicle insurance, registration, and license.
Background Checks and Drug Screening: Graduate student interns will work in facilities (i.e., hospitals, schools) requiring
criminal background checks and/or drug screens. The program will accept the site's
policies if an intern is rejected due to criminal background checks 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. Results must be sent 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 the intern’s information with affiliated rotation sites. Also, the
graduate student interns will disclose their date of birth and social security number
to assist facilities with their background checks and clearance to access patient
or client information. During the program, all graduate student interns must 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 membership and the Augusta Area Dietetic Association memberships during the program.
Coursework
The MS-DI program consists of a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice and
45 credit hours ~190 hours of didactic classroom instruction. Graduate student interns
work full time 32-40 hours/week and attend didactic classes (Mondays only) on the
University campus during the second year.
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.
All interns should complete the program within 150% of the initial program length
(21 months), equal to 31.5 months. All graduate student interns will be required to
successfully complete the MS coursework, Capstone Project, and supervised practice
hours to be eligible to receive a verification statement.
International interns are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate documentation (visa) to allow
graduate student interns adequate time to complete the program.
Completion Requirements
All graduate student interns must achieve a letter grade of “B” or higher on all graduate
courses and 80% or higher on supervised practicum performance evaluations, projects,
assignments, exit exams, and other activities the preceptors and/or Program Director
assigns.
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.
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 include academic
and career advising, counseling, and disability services. A comprehensive list and
description of offered services are available in the University’s Student Manual .
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are available upon request. The MS-DI Program has an outstanding
record. For the past five years:
100% of the graduate student interns completed the program within 150% of the time
allotted for completion of supervised practice hours.
100% of the graduate student interns found employment in the field of nutrition and
dietetics within one year of completing the program.
97% of the graduate student interns passed the RDN registration exam within one year
of their first attempt.
75% of the graduate student interns passed the RDN registration exam within one year
of their first attempt.
