The Graduate Certificate DI program at Russell Sage College (RSC) prepares entry-level dietitian nutritionists who are committed to lifelong learning and leadership within the profession.

Students are exposed to the diversity of dietetic practice through multiple planned experiences. Drawing upon a variety of resources and professionals, students will work with registered dietitians and other healthcare professionals in a variety of settings.

The program requires that students collectively complete three practicum classes and two graduate coursework classes, totaling 24 credits. Students may choose to apply this graduate coursework to the following graduate degree programs at RSC: Applied Nutrition or Health Services Administration.

The combination of practicum experiences and academic enrichment will position the graduate for a variety of career choices as well as provide the beginning of their graduate education.

The program is available through three tracks:

The RSC Dietetic Internship:

This program is only for students who have successfully completed at least a baccalaureate degree and minimum academic requirements established by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics – a didactic program in dietetics (DPD). Successful graduates of the program are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.

A variety of facilities in and around the Capital District, as well as Plattsburgh and the Hudson Valley have agreements with the SGS DI to host dietetic interns. The DI director and coordinator arranges placement for and schedules interns at facilities based on their prior type and level of work experience, preferences and geographic location. Please note that distance interns are required to set up their own practicum placements.

Applicants who apply for placement in the Hudson Valley or Plattsburgh are primarily placed at facilities in those locations with the expectation that they are/will be living in the geographic area while completing the DI and commute to the Troy campus for orientation, presentations, special activities and some supervised practice rotations.

The mission of the DI program is to prepare entry-level RDNs who are committed to lifelong learning and leadership within the profession.

Goal #1: Prepare graduates to be competent in a variety of entry-level positions in the field of dietetics.

Objective 1.1. At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 15 months (full-time) and 33 months (part-time) 150% of the program length

Objective 1.2. Of graduates who seek employment, 85% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Objective 1.3. 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

Objectives 1.4. The program’s one year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Objective 1.5.  90% of responses from graduates on Alumni Survey will indicate that they were “adequately prepared” or better for entry-level practice.

Objective 1.6.  80% of responses from employers on Employer Survey will indicate that graduates were “adequately prepared” or better for entry-level practice.

Goal #2: Prepare graduates who demonstrate lifelong learning as a personal and professional obligation for dietetics practice.

Objective 2.1.  75% of responses from graduates on Alumni Survey will indicate that they will complete the CDR Professional Development Portfolio within 6 months of passing the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists.

Objective 2.1.  75% of responses from graduates on Alumni Survey will indicate that they will complete the CDR Professional Development Portfolio within 6 months of passing the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Applications to the Dietetic Internship program are conducted through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS).

The dietetic internship incorporates three graduate courses totaling 1,280 hours of supervised experience in a variety of settings with two graduate coursework classes. Activities to achieve competencies for the concentration area, communications, are integrated into all five courses.

Those who complete the program will receive a Verification Statement and graduate certificate.  Students have the option of applying the graduate certificate to a master’s degree in Applied Nutrition (a 2-year MS/DI) or Health Services Administration. The Internship Director is available for advisement about graduate course work.

Beginning on January 1, 2024 a minimum requirement of a master’s degree is required to take the registration examination for dietitians. For more information, please visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s website. 

Full-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within the standard 10-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 15 months to complete the program.

Part-time interns are expected to complete the Dietetic Internship program within a 20-month timeframe. However, when extenuating circumstances arise, the intern may be granted up to 33 months to complete the program.

Part-time positions have been approved by ACEND. Part-time interns complete the Dietetic Internship program over two academic years rather than one. Part-time schedules can vary and interns must work closely with the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator for scheduling and registration requirements.

All interns will be actively completing practicum and related coursework during the fall, spring and summer III semesters. Full-time interns are in practicum for 40 hours/week and part-time interns complete 24 hours/week of practicum (excluding holidays and allotted time between practicum rotations). These hours do not include lunch break.

Each semester will include a virtual orientation, advising sessions at minimum of once/semester and end of semester presentations.

In addition to practicum interns will complete NTR-525, Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (fall or spring semesters — will take concurrent to or before acute care clinical rotation) and NTR-555, Nutrition Research: Interpretation and Communication (fall, spring or summer semesters – will take concurrent with management or community rotation).  Both NTR-525 and NTR-555 are offered fully online.

A final DPD related exam will be given during the exit week of the program which a minimum 75% must be achieved. The following materials will also be completed during the last week of the DI: paperwork required by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) to qualify for the RD exam; exit interviews and any other required business is completed. Completion packets which include Verification Statements are mailed.

All rotations are appointed by the Dietetic Internship program director and coordinator. Interns are provided a preference survey upon acceptance into the program. The Dietetic Internship program coordinator works diligently to schedule and secure all onsite interns placements and great effort goes into matching placements with intern preferences. Interns will receive placement roughly a month prior to the start of the program.

Interns are assigned to a variety of facilities and transportation to and from each site is the responsibility of each intern. The director and coordinator will make every effort to arrange placements within close proximity to where the intern will be residing throughout the program, however, there are times when up to one-hour of travel may be required.

The Dietetic Internship Certificate Program is subject to Gainful Employment Regulations.

The Dietetic Internship program at Russell Sage’s School of Health Sciences is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND is the only accrediting agency for dietetics education recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). The address and telephone number of ACEND are: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, 312-899-4876. Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Russell Sage College 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.