Program Goals
PHILOSOPHY and MISSION
Dietetics is a profession undergoing many changes as a result of the expanding health care industry and reimbursement for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) by the federal Medicare program. Sage Graduate School Dietetic Internship (DI) will prepare nutrition students for the future. The mission of the Sage Graduate School Dietetic Internship is to provide the practical experiences which will enable graduates of ADA didactic programs to become competent, entry level dietetic practitioners prepared for the challenges of a changing society and to impress on interns the importance of lifelong education and self-improvement. In this program students will be exposed to the variety and diversity of dietetic practice through planned experiences in multiple settings. Drawing upon the resources and professionals of the Capital District, students will work with Registered Dietitians and other healthcare professionals in traditional hospital practice, long term care facilities, out-patient clinics, government food management programs and other settings. With an understanding that learning has theoretical underpinnings, the program also requires that students concurrently complete five graduate classes for 15 credits. Students may choose to apply this graduate course work to one of three graduate degree programs housed at the Sage Graduate School; Applied Nutrition, Health Services Administration or Community Health Education. The students will have access to Albany Medical College library and The Sage Colleges library, periodicals and databases, computers, seminars, and visiting lecturers for further academic development. Thus, the diversity of planned experiences and locations combined with the academic enrichment will serve to position the graduate for a variety of career choices as well as for beginning their graduate education.
ACCREDITATION STATUS
Effective April 22, 1995, the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association granted a status change from an Approved Preprofessional Practice Program (AP4) to Developmental Accreditation as a Dietetic Internship (DI). The program name changed from the Capital Region of New York State AP4 to Sage Graduate School Dietetic Internship. As a result of the developmental accreditation status, a site visit by The American Dietetic Association was conducted in March 1999.
The Dietetic Internship at Sage Graduate School is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association. CADE is the only accrediting agency for dietetics education recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and is affiliated with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The address and telephone number of CADE are: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, 312-899-4876. The program may accept up to 16 interns per class.
Sage Graduate School of The Sage Colleges is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.
PROGRAM GOALS
It is the expectation of the Sage Graduate School Dietetic Internship that all graduates (100%) will achieve the first seven goals prior to completion of this program, and that the last goal will be obtained ongoing throughout their professional career.
- Be prepared for an entry-level position in dietetics.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically, analytically and progressively when seeking solutions to practice-related issues.
- Possess the aptitude to participate as a health care team member.
- Be ready to interpret legislation and participate in the public policy process.
- Demonstrate competence in current technology in the practice of dietetics.
- Apply research for specific applications in dietetics, such as quality management and outcomes management.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication skills.
- Apply the concept of lifelong learning as a personal and professional obligation for dietetics practice.
Programs of Study:
Dietetic Internship with MS in Applied Nutrition
Dietetic Internship with MS in Health Service Administration
