Training & Curriculum

Goal #1: Program graduates are competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 15 months or 150% of planned program length.
2. At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
   
3. 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%.
   
4. At least 80% of program graduates self-rate as prepared for their first position as a registered dietitian nutritionist.
5. At least 80% of employers of program graduates report that graduate’s knowledge and competency are satisfactory for current position.
6. At least 80% of graduates rate their critical thinking skills as satisfactory for their scope of practice.
   
7. At least 80% of employers rate the program graduates' critical thinking skills as satisfactory for their scope of practice.
   
8. At least 80% of employers of program graduates rate graduates’ communication skills as effective.

Goal #2: Program graduates assume positions in a variety of career opportunities and are involved in activities and demonstrate leadership ability within the profession of nutrition and dietetics.

Objectives:

1. Of graduates who seek employment at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics-related fields within 12 months of graduation.
2. At least 80% of graduates report that they find innovative solutions to problems and share ideas with others.
3. At least 80% of employers of program graduates report that graduates find innovative solutions to problems and share ideas with others.
4. At least 80% of graduates report that they lead/assume responsibility for activities/others outside of routine duties.
5. At least 80% of employers report that program graduates lead/assume responsibility for activities/others outside of routine duties.

Outcome data is available upon request.

Dietetic interns may be required to work weekends. Interns attend class day virtually, in most cases. Therefore, each intern must have a computer and internet access to attend class. Computers and internet access are available in the Department of Food and Nutrition Services in the dietetic internship office if the intern does not have a personal computer and/or access to the internet.

Cedars-Sinai dietetic interns complete a variety of supervised practice rotations on campus within the Department of Food and Nutrition Services, Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the Center for Integrative Research in Cancer and Lifestyle.

Preceptors oversee, mentor/guide and evaluate interns throughout the supervised practice rotations. They are responsible for completing the formal, written evaluations at the end of each rotation. Preceptors involved in the CSMC DIP include registered dietitians in clinical, food service, community and research rotations. There are also experienced and knowledgeable food service manager-preceptors, who are non-RDN, but are excellent mentors in the food service management rotation. They share their wealth of knowledge and experience in food service operations with interns. Interns also work with registered dietetic technicians in the diet office during the clinical portion of the program.

The program manager is the internship director who has responsibility and accountability for all aspects of the program. The director is assisted by an internship coordinator. The coordinator is a lead, senior-level clinical dietitian who oversees the daily activities of the program including intern schedules, evaluations, problem-solving and interacting frequently with interns and preceptors.

Interns are required to complete the internship in full and meet the competencies, supervised practice hours, assignments and expectations set forth by the internship. The intern is expected to complete all requirements within 10 months. Interns must meet competencies at or above 70% (or >3.5 on a 5.0 rating scale) on all competencies, assignments, projects and case studies. Interns receive continuous and regular feedback from preceptors during rotations and interns receive a written evaluation for all rotations and major projects. Interns receive a formal, written midpoint evaluation for clinical nutrition and food service management due to the length of these rotations. If an intern fails to complete assignments or supervised practice hours at the expected level of performance, the assignments or hours must be made up prior to graduation.

If an intern fails to achieve expectations during the program, remedial work and additional supervised practice hours and/or a tutor may be assigned to support the learning and skill development process. If the intern fails to show improvement following additional supervised practice hours and assignments, tutoring, counseling sessions and other interventions, the intern may be placed on a 30-day probation. The intern may risk dismissal from the program without tuition reimbursement. Written documentation of all interventions, agreements and outcomes will be completed and shared with the intern by the internship director in this situation. Interns must meet program requirements no later than 15 months from the start of the program. The internship director makes the final determination in situations involving dismissal from the program.

Upon successful completion of the CSMC DIP, interns receive a verification statement on the last week of the program during the exit interview. The verification statement indicates that the internship program has been completed. Interns are eligible at this time to become active members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and sit for the CDR credentialing examination, the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before midnight Central time, Dec. 31, 2023. Visit CDR's website at cdrnet.org/graduatedegree for more information about this requirement. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Dietitians are not licensed to practice nutrition in California; therefore, there are no additional costs for state licensure for nutrition professionals. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Learn more about State Licensure—Commission on Dietetic Registration (cdrnet.org/licensure). All U.S. states and territories with licensure and certification laws accept the RDN credential for state licensure and certification purposes.

The internship's mission is to train competent, well-rounded, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to ensure the viability of the dietetics profession as the recognized leaders and experts in food and nutrition.