Each year, the KSC dietetic internship accepts 12 interns during the April matching. The internship year begins in September.

Length
The program provides a minimum of 1,360 hours of practical experience. Interns may request the program on a full- or part-time basis: The full-time option should be completed in 11 to 12 months. The part-time options should be completed in 12 to 18 months. As the part-time nature of the program enables you to begin and end rotations mid-week, times in each rotation are listed in hours and days.

Rotations

Orientation
40 hours. Orientation will take place on campus at the beginning of the program. These classes are designed to prepare you for independent work upon completion.

Class Days
Class days are held weekly from September through January and every other week from February through May. These classes will help you expand the skills gathered on site. Class days will include speakers with expertise in a variety of areas. Six required credits, offered through the graduate department of education, will be included as part of class day activities. These credits focus on educational techniques for individuals and groups at all stages of the life cycle. Interns may also attend a variety of special educational events.

Community Wellness and Nutritional Health Promotion
This rotation requires interns to spend a minimum of 400 hours working with clients in all phases of the life cycle and in a variety of community settings. In this rotation, you will work four 40-hour blocks with children, adolescents, adults, and mature adults, as well as 40 hours counseling in an outpatient setting. The balance of hours may be spent working with population age groups of your choice, depending on community needs. This rotation will provide you with experience in outpatient, public health, and community settings.

Clinical
This rotation requires interns spend a minimum of 55 eight-hour days (at least 440 hours) gaining clinical nutrition knowledge in a clinical facility. Clinical rotations take place in one or a combination of the following settings: acute care, sub-acute care, long-term care, and rehabilitation hospitals. Interns will be expected to perform with increasing competence and independence through the course of the rotation. By the end of the rotation, you will be able to provide staff relief at your clinical site. These placements are individualized based on availability and your prior experience and interests. Note that because there are a limited number of clinical opportunities in Keene, you can expect to commute up to one-and-a-half hours each way to your facility.

Management
This rotation requires a minimum of 120 hours food service management experience and 80 management elective hours. In this rotation, interns will learn how a food service operation functions and begin to develop management skills through observation, practice, and supervision. All interns are placed in schools and healthcare settings. The management elective hours may include working in a different food service facility, special management projects, marketing or visiting local food manufacturers.

Specialty
This rotation requires a minimum of 160 hours and allows you to create individualized learning experiences. You may choose from a variety of options, including advanced practice in one or more of your community, clinical, or food service rotations. This rotation can also be used to explore employment in non-traditional settings.

Independent Study
This rotation requires a minimum of 120 hours, allowing interns to complete a special interest project. In this rotation, you will select a nutrition issue to research, then design an interventiln project, identify a grant source, and write a grant proposal.

Assignments
In addition to the assigned rotations, you will complete several homework assignments as well as self-directed and group learning activities. These are designed to supplement your practical learning experiences. Upon acceptance to the program and receipt of your deposit, you will also be required to complete six pre-internship assignments. Clinical review homework assignments. These are comprehensive worksheets covering disease states, medications, medical terminology, and nutrition therapy. Due dates will occur throughout the summer.