Dietetic Internship
Welcome to the Dietetic Internship website at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). We appreciate your interest in our internship and we hope that you find the website helpful. The internship is housed in the Food Science and Nutrition Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Our internship rotation sites are located in two counties in the Central Coast of California: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
Cal Poly is located in the city of San Luis Obispo, a community of about 43, 000, which is located in an area of extraordinary natural beauty as well home of one of California's most popular attractions, the Hearst Castle. San Luis Obispo has a delightful downtown with great dining, shops, nightlife, arts center, Mission Plaza, historical walking tours, world-class performing arts center, and many excellent wineries. In addition beautiful beaches are located only ten minutes away.
The internship will also have rotation sites in Santa Barbara, which is world famous for its breathtaking setting. The dramatic mix of mountains, valleys, beaches, islands and ocean define its natural beauty. Santa Barbara has world-class performances of music, opera, dance and theater year round. It is also one of the top five art colonies in the west. It has many restaurants, first-rate golf, tennis, polo, horseback riding, cycling, hiking and many water sports.
Accreditation Status
Cal Poly, SLO Dietetic Internship has been granted developmental accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 (May 2004).
Number of Interns
For the class of 2009-2010 we will admit eight interns; five interns will be placed in San Luis Obispo County and three will be placed in Santa Barbara County.
Mission and Goals of the Program
The mission of our internship is to train dietetic interns who will be competent, well-rounded, culturally sensitive individuals and contributing members to the field of dietetics. Upon completing their dietetic internship, students will be qualified to enter clinical dietetics, foodservice management, community programs and to take the registration examination for their RD credential. Cal Poly, SLO Dietetic Internship reflects the University's philosophy of "learn by doing".
- Provide an internship program on the Central Coast of California for qualified individuals.
- Train graduates to meet California and the nation's needs for RDs.
- Prepare graduates to meet the requirements for dietetic registration.
Program Curriculum
The internship will follow the Academic year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (Mid-September to mid-June).
The dietetic internship will have a general emphasis with the following timeline distribution:
Santa Barbara Interns
- Nutrition Therapy 14 weeks (448 hours)
- Foodservice Management 8 weeks (256 hours)
- Community 8 weeks (256 hours)
- Elective 2 weeks (64 hours)
- Staff Responsibility 3 weeks (96 hours)
- 35 weeks, 1120 hours total
- Class & Seminar (Mondays) 27 weeks (108 hours)
San Luis Obispo Interns
- Nutrition Therapy 14 weeks (448 hours)
- Foodservice Management 7 weeks (224 hours)
- Community 9 weeks (288 hours)
- Elective 2 weeks (64 hours)
- Staff Responsibility 3 weeks (96 hours)
- 35 weeks, 1120 hours total
- Class & Seminar (Mondays) 27 weeks (108 hours)
Thirty-two hours per week will be spent in supervised practice Tuesdays through Friday. The didactic portion of the program will be spent in a 2-hour class in the mornings and a 2-hour seminar in the afternoon (unless it is a legal holiday). The classroom setting will be augmented with field trips to additional facilities.
Nutrition Therapy Rotations - will be at a hospital, two weeks at a renal care center, and two weeks in long-term care. Interns will usually fulfill this experience in two or more different settings. Duties will include nutritional screening and assessment of patients and patient education. Interns will become familiar with tube feedings and parenteral feedings.
Foodservice Management Rotations - will be completed in a hospital or school district. The interns will be involved in menu planning, food preparation and processing, purchasing, storage, distribution systems, sanitation and safety, administration and planning a special event.
Community Rotations - will be in a variety of locations including WIC, County Health Departments, University of California Cooperative Extension, Hospice, Head Start/Early Head Start, senior programs and a homeless shelter. The interns will have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and provide public nutrition education as well as nutrition counseling.
Elective Rotation - During this unique experience, the intern is allowed to find a rotation for two weeks or two one week rotations in a dietetic related field of their particular interest. The experience may be within a current rotation site or at an approved site outside of the current internship rotation sites.
Professional Staff Experience - During this three-week period the dietetic intern will be the acting dietitian at the selected facility. This rotation will be the last three weeks of the internship so that the intern is properly prepared for this responsibility.
Admission Requirements and Qualifications
Applicants to the Cal Poly, SLO Dietetic Internship must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited school and have met the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements as specified by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. They must present a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree and/or Minimum Academic Requirements prior to admission into the internship. The best-qualified applicants will be chosen and this program does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, creed, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.
Selection of interns will be based on the following criteria:
- Overall GPA of 2.8 and GPA 3.0 DPD.
- Paid and volunteer experience in field of dietetics outside classroom field assignments. Other experience will also be considered;
- Three letters of recommendation - one must be from an employer or supervisor at a paid or volunteer position (preferably a R.D.), two from professors from the DPD program;
- Quality of personal statement will be evaluated for passion in the field, career goals, why Cal Poly's a good match;
- Leadership and participation in professional, social, and school organizations are highly desired;
- Phone interviews for top rated applicants;
- A nutrition therapy or clinical nutrition course completed within the last five years (or recent clinical experience may be substituted);
- A biochemistry course completed within the last five years.
- Program does not award credit for prior experience.
We are looking for interns who are dedicated to field of dietetics, are self-motivated and self-starters, and team players who can also work independently.
Application Procedure and Computer Matching
Materials included in Application Packet:
- Completed ADA application form; Go to: www.depdpg.org/index_580.cfm
- Letter of application - letter of intent, short term and long term career goals, personal characteristics, strengths, who influenced you, how you became interested in field of dietetics, and why you are applying to Cal Poly, SLO Dietetic Internship, should not exceed 2-3 pages in length;
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Verification Statement Substantiating Completion of (or Declaration of Intent to Complete) Degree and ADA-Approved Minimum Academic Requirements from your Didactic Program Director;
- Three letters of reference and one must be from an employer or supervisor from a paid or volunteer position, preferably an R.D. Two should be from professors in the DPD program;
- Check or money order for the non-refundable application fee of $55 should be written to Cal Poly, Continuing Education
Mailed completed application packet with $55 application fee by February 15, 2009 to:
Susan S. Swadener, Ph.D., R.D
Dietetic Internship Director
Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
Computer Matching:
The code for Cal Poly is 181. The application deadline will be February 15, 2009. The internship director will submit the ranked list of acceptable matched applicants to D & D in April 2009. Based on the match or no match results available openings will be posted and offered to qualified, interested candidates. The program entrance date is mid-September. The computer matching form and fee must be mailed to:
D & D Digital Systems
304 Main Street Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010-6148
515-292-0490
Program Cost
Tuition and Fees 2009-2010
- The non-refundable fee of $8800 is due by August 15, 2009 (Fee subject to Committee approval fall 2008).
- Application fee, due with application, non-refundable $55
Other Internship Related Expenses
- ADA Affiliate membership $43
- CDA Meeting (hotel and transportation) $400-600
- Campus parking ($5 x 27 weeks) $135
- Books, supplies, local meetings, lab coat $300-400
- TB test & Hepatitis B vaccination $175
- Rent - interns make own living arrangements $500-$900/month
- Transportation - must have own automobile cost varies
- Personal health insurance cost varies
- Cal Poly ID card $5
Program Director
Susan S. Swadener, Ph.D., R.D.
Lecturer, Food Science and Nutrition Department
Office: Bldg. 11, Room 245
Phone: 805-756-6132
Email: sswadene@calpoly.edu
Fax: 805-756-1146
Faculty website: Dr. Susan Swadener