Dietetic Internship Program Mission

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The Dietetic Internship program mission was created out of UC San Diego Health's mission to deliver outstanding patient care through commitment to the community, groundbreaking research and inspired teaching.

The hospital system's core values of quality, caring, integrity, creativity and teamwork were pivotal in creating the internship's mission. The mission of the Dietetic Internship program is to offer learning experiences that promote the highest level of practice for preparing entry-level registered dietitians.

As part of an academic medical center, we strive to provide excellence in evidence-based nutrition practice, provide nutrition services that value compassionate patient care, and utilize emerging research to further innovative approaches to dietetics. We are committed to:

Fostering an educational foundation toward the provision of high-quality nutrition care to all future patients
Encouraging interns to acknowledge the diversity and individuality of all patients
Modeling and teaching integrity with high ethical standards
Developing dietitians to think critically, share innovative ideas and be inquisitive
Providing a well-rounded and supportive learning environment with a team approach in clinical nutrition, food service management, research and ambulatory/community nutrition

Before You Apply

Check the program schedule, costs and completion requirements before applying for UC San Diego Health's Dietetic Internship.

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Program Goals

Program graduates will demonstrate competent practice as registered dietitians/nutritionists in dietetics-related employment.
Program graduates will enhance the dietetic profession through leadership and professional engagement.

Program Objectives

At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 14 months (150% of planned program length).
At least 80% of program graduates take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
90% of employers will rate graduates as well prepared or prepared for their first position as an RDN.
80% of employers will rate graduates as satisfactory or above (3.0 on a 5.0 scale) in professional knowledge and skills.
80% of employers will rate graduates as satisfactory or above (3.0 on a 5.0 scale) in leadership qualities during the first year of employment.
At least 70% of graduates will participate in professional development activities within one year of graduation.

Program outcome data are available upon request.