Schedule
The ISPP program operates on the academic calendar. See the curriculum tab for more information on courses for each semester.
While in supervised practice, interns spend approximately 32 hours per week at facilities, Monday through Friday, daily start and finish times vary based on the operations of the site. Holidays are observed based on the facility at which the intern is completing hours and interns may be assigned an alternate day to make up missed hours for holidays. Prior to the start of each rotation, interns and preceptors meet (either face to face, virtually, or communicate via email) to establish the schedule. Interns are required to plan and develop at least one community nutrition event, which could take place on a weekend or in the evening.
ISPP Coursework and Rotation Descriptions
FSHN 667: Dietetics Supervised Practice
Dietetics Supervised Practice is a graduate level course that is offered to students currently enrolled in the MS Nutritional Sciences- RDN concentration. The course contributes to the fulfillment of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) supervised practice component for RDN eligibility as an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) program. Graduates of the MS RDN concentration and ISPP program fulfill all ACEND requirements and completion results in eligibility for the registered dietitian exam. FSHN 667 is a 5 credit course, repeatable 2 times where students apply knowledge gained from DPD studies to the field of dietetics by completing hours under supervision of an RDN in various settings (inpatient hospital, inpatient food service departments, retail food service, community health centers, and other settings). Students complete assignments and activities to support development of entry level competency into the dietetics profession. FSHN 667 is offered in a hybrid format to accommodate students completing remote supervised practice learning. Technology requirements for this course include a computer or laptop with capabilities to share video and audio and access to the internet.
FSHN 668: Advanced Topics in Dietetics
Advanced Topics in Dietetics is a graduate level course that is offered to students currently enrolled in the MS Nutritional Sciences- RDN concentration. The course contributes to the fulfillment of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) supervised practice component for RDN eligibility as an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) program. Graduates of the MS RDN concentration and ISPP program fulfill all ACEND requirements and completion results in eligibility for the registered dietitian exam. FSHN 668 is a 1 credit course, repeatable 1 time where students apply knowledge gained from DPD studies to the field of dietetics. Students complete assignments and activities to support development of entry level competency into the dietetics profession in inpatient hospital, inpatient food service departments, retail food service, community health centers, and other settings. FSHN 668 is offered in a hybrid format to accommodate students completing remote supervised practice learning. Technology requirements for this course include a computer or laptop with capabilities to share video and audio and access to the internet.
Alternate Supervised Practice Experiences Rotation
The Alternate Simulation Experiences (ASE) are a variety of clinical, food service, and community experiences that simulate real-world settings through written and oral case studies and mock counseling sessions. ISPP interns gain practice and are ASE work is evaluated against a number of CRDNs. Some activities include: developing evidenced-based nutrition research skills, creating counseling scripts based on behavior change theories, recording a nutrition focused physical exam, developing an emergency preparedness plan, clinical case studies- ADIME notes and presentations, conducting mock nutrition counseling sessions, developing a public policy support letter and leave behind material, and beginning a mock grant proposal. (300 hours)
Medical Nutrition Therapy Rotation
The Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) rotation takes place in clinical, inpatient settings. Activities and assignments outlined will ensure that ISPP interns gain practice and are evaluated on CRDNs applicable to the MNT rotation. Some of the required assignments include a Case Study Presentation and the Complex Study Report. Preceptors and interns work together to identify the activities and assignments from the toolkit provided, that the intern will complete in order to achieve all required ACEND CRDNs. (320 hours)
Outpatient Rotation
Outpatient Nutrition rotations take place in clinical, private practice settings, where services are delivered in-person and via telehealth. Some of the required assignments include Providing Group Nutrition Presentations for MNT or Wellness Education, Providing One-On-One Nutrition Therapy Counseling, and a Group Nutrition Presentation Proposal. Preceptors and interns work together to identify the activities and assignments that the intern will complete in order to achieve all required ACEND CRDNs. (128 hours)
Food Service Rotation
Food Service Management rotations take place in a variety of food service institutions (schools, hospital facilities, long term care, etc). One of the required assignments includes a Theme Menu Project. Preceptors and interns work together to identify the activities and assignments that the intern will complete in order to achieve all required ACEND CRDNs. (128 hours)
Community Rotation
Community Nutrition rotations take place in a variety of settings; community health centers, foundations, department of health, food banks, and more. Some of the required assignments include Providing Group Nutrition Presentations for MNT or Wellness Education, Providing One-On-One Nutrition Therapy Counseling, a Group Nutrition Presentation Proposal, and a Mock Grant Proposal. Preceptors and interns work together to identify the activities and assignments that the intern will complete in order to achieve all required ACEND CRDNs. (192 hours)
Elective Rotation
Interns select elective rotations based on personal interests, some sites include research, social media/marketing, specialized nutrition intervention settings, and more. Preceptors and interns identify assignments and activities applicable to their elective setting. In the case that the intern and preceptor would like to create an assignment or activity, the intern identifies the ACEND CRDNs addressed by assignment/activity and documents the decision-making process leading to the creation of the new assignment/activity. (96 hours)
Rotation Resources
Each rotation has a toolkit developed that outlines instructions, activities, assignments, and evaluations for the rotation. Toolkits are updated annually and provided to both interns and preceptors.