Dietetic Internship Program in Brief

The Dietetic Internship (DI) Program provides supervised experience in clinical, community, and administrative dietetics leading to a certificate of completion. After completion of a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice and successful completion of all program requirements, DI program graduates are eligible to receive a verification statement and take the national registration exam for dietitians.

Since 1991, ISU has offered a 2 semester DI program. Currently, 18 seats are offered on two ISU campuses (Pocatello/Twin Falls and Meridian). Interns complete over 1200 hours of supervised practice in many health care and community settings.

The length of the internship is 2 semesters (fall and spring) and approximately 1327 hours "hands on" educational experience.  Interns can expect to spend 40 hours per week in rotations and seminar, with additional time required for completion of assignments and some travel opportunities.  

Each intern must complete the full-time ISU DI by the end of 9 months scheduled over the academic year. The internship is fast-paced with all required supervised practice hours and learning activities designed to be completed within that time frame. In extreme circumstances which might include medical emergency or the need for educational remediation, an intern’s individual learning time frame may be extended beyond 9 months up to 13.5 months (150% of original 9-month plan). Decisions to extend the intern’s time are made on individual basis by the program director with input by intern’s instructors and preceptors.

Program Eligibility and Admission

1. Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics, Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics), or Food and Nutrition and have completed Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements as established by ACEND of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for admission. Eighteen (18) students, ten (10) in Pocatello/Twin Falls and eight (8) in Meridian will be admitted to the program with the April computer match, with a start date in August. Two of the interns accepted to the internship in Pocatello will complete their rotations in Twin Falls, Idaho.

NOTE: Enrollment in the Idaho State University and/or fulfillment of specific requirements does not ensure admission into the Dietetic Internship Program.

Total Dietetic Internship Experience: 34 WEEKS = 1,327 TOTAL HOURS

• Fall semester: 1-week orientation, 16 weeks of rotations
• Spring semester: 17 weeks of rotations
• Seminars are held about every other Friday on a variety of topics

A combination of these rotations will be offered in each course:

• NTD 4486 Dietetic Internship Seminar I and NTD 4488 Internship Dietetics I
• NTD 4487 Dietetic Internship Seminar II and NTD 4489 Internship Dietetics II 

The table below lists the estimated fees of the DI program expenses (actual costs may vary).  Many dietetic interns apply for financial aid and scholarships to help with these costs.

Housing

Dietetic interns placed in Pocatello may choose to live on campus or in a variety of off-campus sites. In Boise and Twin Falls, no university housing is available.

Transportation

Each student should have his or her own car or, at least, access to one. Some rotation sites are up to fifty miles away (e.g. Pocatello to Idaho Falls).

Liability for safety in travel to and from assigned rotation sites will rest on the individual dietetic intern. In no way does the Dietetic Programs or Idaho State University assume liability for interns for safety in travel to and from assigned rotation sites.

*In addition, students accepted to the DI program are required to submit a $1,450 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT within thirty (30) days of ACCEPTANCE.

The $1,450 will be applied toward the class/professional fee at the time of registration. (Note: This amount is subject to change. The correct amount will be included in correspondence from the program.) 

**Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Idaho State Board of Education.