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Dietetic Internship

Erika Ireland and dietetic graduate students

Program Overview

Location and settings

Fresno

Library at night

Fresno State is located in the city of Fresno, a community of more than 500,000, and is the only place in the nation within an easy drive of three national parks- Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. Fresno has a variety of different attractions that satisfies different tastes all year round. If you’re looking to take a long walk or jog at Fresno’s largest park, Woodward, buy freshly picked produce at a local farmers market, head out for a day of shopping and dining at Old Fig Garden, River Park or Fashion Fair mall, or put on your best attire and dancing shoes for Fresno’s nightlife, you will find Fresno to be the place for you.

Program Description

The California State University, Fresno Dietetic Internship is a combined master’s of science and experiential supervised practice, 24 month program with a focus on culturally competent health promotion/disease prevention. This internship prepares graduates to serve the diverse needs of the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. Interns complete supervised practice experiences in a variety of facilities in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, including a veterans' hospital, a state prison, a school district, two private hospitals, an out-patient diabetes program and cooperative extension. The supervised practice occurs simultaneously while students graduate take masters level course toward a thesis or project option. For more information please review the MS/DI handbook for more specifics.

Mission Unlocking the potential of future entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) through innovative and diverse post graduate practice application with a program concentration on health promotion and disease prevention, while uniquely nourishing cultural competency in a variety of dietetic settings within Fresno County, Fresno Metropolitan and the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Program Goals

Program goals
Goal Data Assessed Objective/Outcome Measures
1. To prepare graduates who will advance their leadership skills and be prepared to provide culturally competent health promotion and disease prevention. % of enrolled interns completing the program & receiving a verification statement At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 36 months (150% of the program length).
Alumni/Graduate Surveys When surveyed 12-18 months after graduation, at least 90% of graduates, who respond to the survey will rate overall satisfaction with their DI experience as at least 4.0 on a scale of 1-5 (where 5.0 is best and 1.0 is worst). When surveyed 12-18 months after graduation, 25% of graduates who respond to the survey will hold a leadership role within local, state or national affiliation of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (AND).
2. At completion, graduates will be masters prepared and registration eligible, to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to protect and actively address the evolving health needs of consumers and/or the unique needs of Fresno County, Fresno metropolitan area and the Central San Joaquin Valley constituents. 3-year average 1st time pass rate and 1-year pass rate At least 80 % of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionist within 12 months of program completion.
3-year average 1st time pass rate and 1-year pass rate The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration examination within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionist is at least 80%.
Employer Surveys When surveyed, 80% of employers of CSUF DI graduates, who respond to the survey will indicate that program graduates are able to utilize principles of evidence-based practice as at least satisfactory (3.0 or better) on a scale of 1-5 (where 5.0 is best and 1.0 is worst). -   When surveyed, 80% of employers of CSUF DI graduates, who respond to the survey will indicate that program graduates professional competence as satisfactory (3.0 or better) on a scale of 1-5 (where 5.0 is best and 1.0 is worst).
Employer Surveys When surveyed, 80% of employers of CSUF DI graduates, who respond to the survey will indicate that program graduates are prepared for entry-level practice.
Alumni/Graduate Surveys Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetic or related fields within 12 months.
Alumni/Graduate Surveys When surveyed 12-18 months after graduation, at least 10-15% of graduates, who respond to the survey will maintain employment in the Fresno metropolitan area and/or Central San Joaquin Valley.
Alumni/Graduate Surveys When surveyed 12-18 months after graduation, at least 60% of graduates, who respond to survey have indicated that they have participated in at minimum of least one (1) event sponsored by dietetics related professional organization.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.  Please contact the DI Director for additional information.