SJSU Dietetic Internship

About the SJSU Dietetic Internship

The SJSU DI is only available to students who have received/will receive at least one of the following degrees from our Department: BS in Nutritional Science, Concentration in Dietetics and/or MS in Nutritional Science (if SAGE MS degree, must be in Dietetics Concentration), and students are required to already have a graduate degree or be getting a graduate degree at the time of application.

The DI at San José State University is a minimum 1000 hours supervised-practice full-time program with placement sites located in San José and surrounding areas. Note: The SJSU DI is competency-based: Even if an intern meets the minimum required hours, they will not be able to complete the DI unless they meet all the DI competencies (per preceptor assessment).

SJSU DI Mission Statement

The mission of the SJSU Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is to provide a high-quality supervised practice experience that will prepare entry-level Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN) who are employable in dietetics and related fields and apply an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetic practice and life-long learning.

Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SJSU DI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page has additional info regarding the SJSU DI and must be reviewed before emailing the DI Director.

• Dietetic Internship Brochure

  • The SJSU DI Brochure [pdf] provides information about the application requirements and procedures. 

• Dietetic Internship Handbook

  • The SJSU DI Handbook [pdf] provides an overview of the DI Program, includes a sample rotations schedule, and details program policies and procedures.

• Dietetic Internship Application Timeline and Requirements

  • Please refer to the SJSU DI Brochure [pdf] and the SJSU DI FAQ page for information about the eligibility and application requirements. 

    The SJSU DI is accredited for a maximum of 25 dietetic interns per year. There are two rounds of applications each year. Please review the SJSU DI Application Timeline below to determine when applications are due.

    SJSU DI Application Timeline

    SJSU DI Start Date	Application Due Date (During Application Semester)	Applicant Notification Date	If not accepted, apply to external DIs
    January / February 2025	October 1, 2024	December 1, 2024	Spring 2025
    June / July 2025	March 1, 2025	May 1, 2025	Fall 2025
    January / February 2026	October 1, 2025	December 1, 2025	Spring 2026
    June / July 2026	March 1, 2026	May 1, 2026	Fall 2026

    If an applicant is not selected through the internal DI process, they may apply to other DI programs (external DIs) by working with the Didactic Program in Dietetics Director, Dr. Giselle Pignotti.

    NOTE: Effective January 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 addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at San José State University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

    In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements: https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap 

    For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students.

DI Director

Kasuen Mauldin, PhD, RD

• Email: kasuen.mauldin@sjsu.edu
• Office: (408) 924-3109

Accreditation Status

The SJSU DI is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND),

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Phone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400; Fax: 312-899-4817; www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

Program Goals and Objectives

Program Goal #1

Graduates of the program will be prepared to practice as entry-level Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN). 

• Objective 1.1

  • At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 10.5 months (150% of the program length).

• Objective 1.2

  • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

• Objective 1.3

  • 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%.

• Objective 1.4

  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

• Objective 1.5

  • When surveyed 12-18 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rate the graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).

• Objective 1.6

  • When surveyed 12-18 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rate the graduate's ability to work effectively with culturally diverse populations as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).

Program Goal #2

Graduates of the program will develop skills that foster an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetic practice and life-long learning. 

• Objective 2.1

  • At least 80% of program interns will apply the evidence-based practice model to facilitate a practice change and disseminate their knowledge gained as an abstract and poster presentation within 12 months of program completion.

• Objective 2.2

  • When surveyed 12-18 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of SJSU DI graduates will report life-long learning activities.

• Objective 2.3

  • When surveyed 12-18 months after the intern completed the program, at least 80% of employers of SJSU DI graduates will rate the graduate’s ability to incorporate evidence-based knowledge into practice as “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” (scale = Below Expectations, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations).

The DI Program outcomes data are available upon written request to the DI Program Director.