Dietetic Internship Program

Mission Statement | Clinical Training Sites | Application Procedure | Estimated Expenses | Accreditation

The Murray State University Dietetic Internship is designed to meet the competencies for entry level dietetics practice and to prepare students for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The program has a Nutrition Therapy concentration and provides students with a minimum of 1200 supervised practice hours in a variety of healthcare settings.

The program begins in August, is 10 months in duration and is completed during the fall and spring semesters. Each intern is assigned to one of ten supervised practice sites in Kentucky and Tennessee. Although student preference is considered, placement at a requested practice site cannot be guaranteed.

After orientation to the internship program on Murray State University's campus, students begin supervised practice at the assigned facility. Approximately 40 hours of supervised practice are completed per week. Distance education components are used to deliver internet-based instruction. Use of a personal computer with internet connection is required for the completion of distance learning activities.

Interns complete supervised experiences in clinical nutrition, foodservice management, community nutrition and long-term care. An Advanced Clincal Practice experience is completed after clinical rotations. This experience allows the student to function independently as an entry level dietitian in the hospital setting. Preceptors in each healthcare institution oversee the experience and provide general management and mentorship. Murray State University Clinical Instructor Lori Crouch, M.S., R.D., L.D., assists students with project development, scheduling of experiences outside of the primary training site, and provides general guidance and direction in meeting curriculum requirements. The Clinical Instructor meets with students at their training sites throughout the course of the internship program.

Eighteen hours of graduate credit are earned during the internship program. Students wishing to pursue the Master's degree must pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians before continuing with graduate studies.

Internship Program Schedule of Courses

Fall Semester		Duration (Weeks)	Credit Hours Earned
NTN 640	Dietetic Clinical Training Primer, MSU Campus	1	2
NTN 641	Community Nutrition	4	2
NTN 642	Foodservice Management	6	3
NTN 643	Medical Nutrition Therapy I	6	2
		17	9

Spring Semester		Duration (Weeks)	Credit Hours Earned
NTN 650	Nutrition Assessment and Care	1	2
NTN 651	Nutrition Therapy II	8	3
NTN 652	Dietetics Clinical Practice in Long Term Care	4	2
NTN 653	Advanced Clinical Practice Experience	4	2
		17	9

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Health Insurance. All interns must be covered by health insurance while enrolled in the program. Evidence of coverage must be provided prior to beginning the MSU internship program.

Professional Liability. Healthcare Professional Liability Malpractice Insurance will be purchased by interns through Murray State University in the amount of 1,000,000/3,000,000. The cost of premiums vary each year.

ACCREDITATION
The Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Academy of Nurtion and Dietetics.
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago, Illinois
60606-6995

Any questions regarding accreditation may be directed to the Accreditation Concil for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nurtion and Dietetics at 1-800-877-1600 or visit the ADA web site at www.eatright.org

For additional information and questions, email us at: frice@murraystate.edu or lcrouch1@murraystate.edu

Site Directory