Dietetic Internship with Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition
Prepare for credentialing as a registered dietitian nutritionist through a program that provides unsurpassed field experience and graduate degree.
The University at Buffalo offers two graduate degree tracks of an accredited dietetic internship to prepare students to become professionally registered dietitian nutritionists.
Students benefit from UB's commitment to fostering a comprehensive and inclusive learning environment and access to world-class faculty and facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning and creative thinking.
The UB DI has been training future registered dietitian nutritionists for excellence, innovation and leadership since 1999.
Three steps to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- Academics
Earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). - Internship - That's us!
Complete a supervised internship program accredited by ACEND. - Registration Examination *
Pass the entry-level registration (credentialing) examination administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
For more information on the requirements and process to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, including education, supervised practice and passage of the credentialing examination, review the registration eligibility requirements for dietitians.
UB’s Dietetic Internship provides 1200 hours of required field experience while completing your Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition. Interns have the option of 2 tracks to completion: comprehensive exam or thesis. The UB MS/DI trains interns using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics core competencies for dietitians while developing proficiency in one of our concentrations, nutrition and community wellness or culinary medicine.
* Licensure is not required in New York State, however other states may require licensure. Please review for details on what states require licensure.
Mission
The University at Buffalo Dietetic Internship with MS in Clinical Nutrition prepares graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for service and practice in global and local communities through educational excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, use of the research process and critical thinking skills to improve the health of populations, communities and individuals.
Professional Training (Supervised Practice)
Supervised Practice experiences planned include:
- Clinical Nutrition in acute care, long term care and rehab
- Institutional Foodservice in clinical, education and community
- Outpatient nutrition counseling and group education
- Research in University settings
- Nutrition and community wellness organizations
- Culinary medicine and inter-professional education micro-credential eligibility
Rochester, NY Supervised Practice sites available
A small number of Supervised Practice slots are available to Rochester, NY based applicants. Interns are responsible for commuting to the UB campus for in-person graduate classes and events each semester. Please inquire with the Program Director if interested.
RDN Title Option
RDs are eligible to use the optional title of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum of a Masters Degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
| Research Thesis Track | Comprehensive Exam Track |
|---|---|
Fall 1 | Fall 1 |
STA 527 Introduction to Medical Statistics (4 credits) | STA 527 Introduction to Medical Statistics (4 credits) |
NTR 500 Nutrient Metabolism in Health and Disease (3 credits) | NTR 500 Nutrient Metabolism in Health and Disease (3 credits) |
NTR 523 Nutrition Assessment (or pre-approved elective) (3 credits) | NTR 523 Nutrition Assessment (or pre-approved elective) (3 credits) |
CHB 550 Public Health Population Well-being (3 credits) | CHB 550 Public Health Population Well-being (3 credits) |
Winter 1 | Winter 1 |
NTR 680 Thesis in Nutrition (2 credits) | NTR 675 Research (2 credits) |
NTR 524 Nutrition Assessment Instruments (1 credit) | NTR 524 Nutrition Assessment Instruments (1 credit) |
Spring 1 | Spring 1 |
NTR 501 Vitamins and Minerals (3 credits) | NTR 501 Vitamins and Minerals (3 credits) |
NTR 600 Pathophysiology of Nutrition-Related Diseases (3 credits) | NTR 600 Pathophysiology of Nutrition-Related Diseases (3 credits) |
NTR 680 Thesis in Nutrition (1 credit) | Elective (3 credits) |
NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (5 credits) | NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (3 credits) |
Summer | Summer |
NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (8) | NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (10) |
NTR 603 Nutrition Interventions (2 credits) | NTR 603 Nutrition Interventions (2 credits) |
NTR 680 Thesis in Nutrition (2 credits) | |
Fall 2 | Fall 2 |
NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (10 credits) | NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (10 credits) |
NTR 630 Nutrition Seminar (2 credits) | NTR 630 Nutrition Seminar (2 credits) |
NTR 680 Thesis in Nutrition (1 credit) | |
Winter 2 | Winter 2 |
NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (3 credits) | NTR 540 Clinical Practice in Nutrition (3 credits) |
|
|
6 semesters/17 months, 56 credits | 6 semesters/17 months, 55 credits |
Conferral estimate: February 1 | Conferral estimate: February 1 |
Credit for previous, recent graduate coursework will be considered on an individual basis.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework.
Goals/Objectives
Goal 1. Prepare graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists serving the nutrition needs of populations, communities and individuals
Objectives
- At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 26 months (150% of the program length)
- 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- 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%.
- Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 90% of employers who respond to the Employer Survey rate the graduate as a 4 (good) on a scale of 1-5 on entry-level competency for practice.
- 90% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey rate themselves as a 4 (good) on a scale of 1-5 on their ability to serve the nutrition needs of populations, communities and individuals.
Goal 2. Prepare graduates who recognize the importance of research, collaboration and leadership in practice.
Objectives
- 80% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey routinely use current research findings in professional practice.
- 80% of graduates who respond to the One Year Graduate Survey will be a member of a professional organization.
- 25% of graduates who respond to the Five Year Graduate Survey will demonstrate leadership in the field as demonstrated by additional professional certifications, supervisory employment positions, positions in professional organizations, serving as a preceptor, presentation to professional groups, publishing original research/articles or pursuing advanced education (ie-PhD).
Outcomes
Since 2014, 96% of program graduates have passed the RDN exam within 12 months of first attempt.
Detailed outcome data is available upon request. Email Nicole Klem, MS RDN at NLKLEM@buffalo.edu.
ACEND Accreditation
ACEND Contact Information
The UB MS/DI Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
Phone: (312) 899-0040 x5400
eatrightpro.org/ACEND
Future Education Model Program
UB has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open a new and innovative program in Fall 2022 to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. ACEND released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.
The ACEND Board has approved our phase 1 application and will make a final accreditation decision on the program in (2021) after review of our phase 2 report. If successful, following the phase 2 report review by the ACEND Board, we will begin recruiting students for our August 2022 class.
Contact Nicole Klem, MS, RDN, at (716) 829-5653 or nlklem@buffalo.edu for more information.
Learn More
Upcoming Events
Loading events…
On this page:
Prospective Student Handbook
Information to prospective students related to cost, program calendar and admission requirements are available in the student handbook.
Begin the About the DI Program at the 9:14 mark.
Future Education Model Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
UB has applied to the ACEND to open a new and innovative program in Fall 2022 to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.