» Program-Arranged Dietetic Internship Program

This program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree and meet the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics as approved by the American Dietetic Association. For more information regarding the process of becoming a registered dietitian, please see the Nutrition FAQ page.

The program:

• provides community-based, rather than hospital-based, practice settings;
• takes thirty weeks to complete (full-time program);
• earns twelve graduate credits; and
• is accredited by the ADA.

The Simmons dietetic internship is a thirty week, full-time (40 hours/week) program which begins in September. Supervised practice at six supervised practice rotations, such as acute care and long-term care facilities, community health centers, public health agencies, and private nutrition practices, provides students the opportunity to achieve the performance requirements for an entry-level dietitian. The internship is accredited by the CADE of the ADA.

Twelve graduate credits are earned upon successful completion of the program. The Simmons Dietetic Internship Program awards 9 credits for the fieldwork component and 3 credits for the didactic graduate course. Simmons accepts the 3 credits for didactic course work toward the M.S. program if the student has applied and has been accepted to the M.S. program. Tuition is charged on the basis of twelve semester credit hours.

There is also an opportunity for students to apply to the Simmons Distance Dietetic Internship. Students who live in the Northeast area may be interested in this option. Students are required to attend campus orientation and attend classes once a week. Clinical rotations must be arranged by the student in their local area. These sites must be approved by the director of the program.

The Simmons College internship is currently granted accreditation by the CADE of the ADA.
CADE, ADA address:
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 899-5400

Students completing the program are expected to take the registration examination. Upon passing, the faculty anticipates that graduates will be capable of practicing in a variety of settings and participating in professional activities. Above all, the graduate is expected to be a dietitian capable of creating an atmosphere of support and respect for individual rights, thereby fostering quality health care and assurance of honor and dignity.

Additional Information

Required Courses:

NTR 451 Fieldwork in Dietetics

NTR 452 Nutrition Practice: Program, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

Please see the catalog for course description.

Teaching/Learning Methodologies
Lecture and small-group discussions are used as well as the clinical practica, which take place in community-based affiliation sites.

Application Procedure: Deadlines
Please see our admission section for information on admission to this program.

Admission Requirements
The student must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and meet the didactic requirements of the ADA.

Enrollment Deposit
All applicants who are matched are required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit by May 1. This deposit is applied to the first term bill.

Program Scholarships
The ADA and the Massachusetts Dietetic Association award scholarships to outstanding students. Inquiries regarding these scholarships should be directed to these organizations. Additional scholarship information is available in our financial aid section.

Program Certificate Requirements
The verification statement of completion of the dietetic internship is awarded to students upon successful completion of the program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

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