We have name recognition

A Russell Sage nutrition degree means something in the field:

  • We are a top-three producer of nutrition degrees and certificates in New York state.
  • We are the ONLY accredited nutrition program in New York’s greater Capital Region.
  • Many employers look for a Sage-educated RDN above all others.
  • We’ll put you on the path to become an RDN: This program – offered both on-campus and through distance delivery (not online) – provides the supervised practice that is required to sit for your RDN exam.
  • We offer an on-site Dietetic Internship and a distance option: For the on-site option, we arrange all sites and preceptors. For the distance option, students find their own sites, but cannot use any of the preceptors with whom we have agreements.
  • Full accreditation: This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • Expert faculty: Our top-notch faculty are active in all areas of nutrition and dietetics and committed to providing an experience where interns feel individually supported and fully prepared to embark on careers as registered dietitian nutritionists.
  • Individual attention and support: Collaborate with specialized dietitians and other area professionals to bring their wide range of expertise to the program.

RSC offers two different options for students to complete the Dietetic Internship Program. 

  • The Dietetic Internship Certificate Program: This program is for candidates who have obtained a DPD Verification Statement and master’s degree or are close to completing a master’s degree. This program requires you to complete three practicum classes and two graduate coursework classes, totaling 24 graduate credits, completed in 3 semesters.
  • The MS-DI program: This program combines a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with the Dietetic Internship Program. This option is for candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree and obtain a DPD Verification Statement. This program required you to complete 42 graduate credits that are completed either over four semesters for the accelerated track, fives semesters for the traditional full-time track, or seven semesters for the traditional part-time track.

The program may be taken along one of three tracks: Onsite, Remote or the Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP). This program is only for candidates 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.

  • The ISPP track is a non-matriculated program where interns who meet specific criteria can complete their supervised practice requirement.
  • The Onsite and Remote dietetic internship tracks are graduate certificate programs; the ISPP track is not.

Course Requirements

Credits and Completion

 The DI offers two program formats, an on-campus program and a distance/online program.  Each format may be completed on either a full-time basis in 10 months or a part-time basis in 22 months.  Classes begin in August of each year, and the supervised practice experience is typically completed in late June of the following year.

View Program Catalog

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.

Dietetic interns spend 14 weeks in clinical settings where they provide medical nutrition therapy to a variety of populations under the supervision of an RDN. Six weeks are spent in food-service management operations, where interns apply their knowledge of menu planning, food science principles, food service systems management and quantity food production.

You’ll also bring your knowledge of community-based nutrition programs to work with community organizations or government agencies to help improve the nutrition access, education and overall nutrition status of communities at large.

Program Mission

Prepare entry-level RDNs who are effective communicators of evidence-based nutrition content in all areas of practice.

Program Goals

Goal 1. Program graduates will be competent in a variety of entry-level positions in the field of dietetics.

Goal 2. Program graduates will accurately and effectively communicate evidence-based nutrition content in a variety of settings.

Objectives

Objective 1.1a (Graduate Certificate and ISPP-PhD full-time and part-time)

At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 18 months (150% of the program length).

Objective 1.1b (MS-DI Traditional full-time)

At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 32 months (150% of the program length).

Objective 1.1c (MS-DI Traditional part-time)

At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 42 months (150% of the program length).

Objective 1.1d (MS-DI Accelerated)

At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 24 months (150% of the program length).

Objective 1.2
Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

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

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

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

Objective 2.1 At least 80% of responses from graduates on Alumni Survey will indicate that graduates are able to accurately and effectively communicate evidence-based nutrition content.

Objective 2.2 Over a five-year period, at least 50% of graduates will pursue a specialty certification in nutrition and dietetics.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

The MS-DI and the Dietetic Internship Certificate Program is subject to Gainful Employment Regulations.

Program YearOnsite TrackRemote Track
2011100%100%
2012100%100%
2013100%100%
2014100%100%
2015100%100%
2016100%100%
2017100%100%
201896.7%92.31%
2019100%100%
202096.15%80%
202180%100%
202290%75%

Mandatory Pre-orientation (virtual): May and June
Mandatory Orientation in Troy, NY: August 16-18
Fall semester begins: August 22
Practicum I: September 11 – November 17
Fall semester ends: December 11
Spring semester begins: January 16
Practicum II: February 5 – April 12
Spring semester ends: May 6
Summer semester begins: May 13
Practicum III: May 27 – August 5
Exit Days: August 8-9
Summer semester ends: August 9

Quick Links

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Dietetic Internship Program Policy and Procedure Handbook 2023-2024
Professional Licensure Information
Remote Track Applicant Guide 2023-2024
Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Academic Calendar

Dietetic Internship Information Session

Easily Apply

Apply by November 1 or March 1 and start when you’re ready.

Applications to the Dietetic Internship program are conducted through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS). Applicants should have have successfully completed at least a baccalaureate degree and meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Must have completed a all DPD requirements from an ACEND accredited program within the past four years.

Find complete Dietetic Internship admission requirements and application instructions.

Apply Now

Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Michelle
Guy, MS, RDN

Assistant Professor of Nutrition & Dietetic Internship Director

Learn more about Michelle
Sage Park - Troy

Natalie
Newmeyer-Blunden

Assistant Professor of Nutrition

Learn more about Natalie

Dr. McKinley hosts Michelle Morgan and Michelle Guy from the Russell Sage College Dietetic Internship Program.

Geauxing ‘All In’-Episode 49-Spotlight Session with Russell Sage College Dietetic Internship Program
fresh produce on display

Your Future Career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

After you complete your Dietetic Internship, you’ll be eligible to take the registration exam for dietitians.

RDNs work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities; private practice; corporate wellness programs; community and public health settings; school food service; colleges and university settings; research; or sports nutrition.

Dietetic Internship Affiliate Institutions and Placements

A variety of facilities in and around the Capital District, as well as Plattsburgh and the Hudson Valley have agreements with the School of Health Sciences’ Dietetic Internship program to host dietetic interns. The Dietetic Internship 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 remote 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.

Selected Onsite Placement Locations (New York State)

  • Capital District (Albany, Schenectady & Troy)
  • Saratoga Springs
  • Plattsburgh
  • Hudson Valley 
  • Other locations as negotiated with the DI Director
Spotlights Pattern

Dietetic Internship Alumni Spotlights

Meet the successful students and alumni of our dietetic internship program.

Alumni
Dietetic Internship 2021

Angela Aguiar

Angela Aguiar had always been interested in eating for health and energy, but watching two children struggle to keep up …

Read More
Alumni

Christi Kargl, RD

When Christi Kargl enrolled in Russell Sage College’s Dietetic Internship program, she expected to become a well-qualified dietitian. What she …

Read More
Alumni
Dietetic Internship

Dylan Farnan

During his high school career, Dylan Farnan knew he wanted to pursue a career in the field of nutrition and …

Read More
Alumni

“The Dietetic Internship program at Russell Sage is communications-focused, which really taught me to write, speak and convey nutrition information in an ethical, evidence-based, and population-specific way.”

– Selina LaVista Preyer-Blakney, RDN
Alumni

“I was exposed to a variety of dietetic applications and directly worked with Registered Dietitians, doctors, nurses and speech pathologists. These professionals helped me to enhance my assessment, diagnosis, intervention and evaluation skills, and become confident in the field practices.”

– Bruno Lima
Alumni
Dietetic Internship Nutrition Science (Bachelor’s) 2015, 2017

Monica Salafia

In her spare time, when she’s not consulting with the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, or offering her services as …

Read More
Alumni

“I was exposed to diverse fields of nutrition and complex patients, and also provided with just the right amount of guidance and support to grow and learn both personally and professionally.”

– Amelia Ti, MS, RD, CDN

Need help?

Michelle Guy, MS, RDN
Assistant Professor of Nutrition & Dietetic Internship Director
[email protected]

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