Dietetic Internships

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health offers a public health focused dietetic internship program with two tracks which are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, American Dietetic Association. All applicants for both tracks will apply through the DICAS online system (https://portal.dicas.org). Only applicants for the Full-Time Track must participate in D & D Digital computer matching.

What Nutrition Services are provided to the residents of Maricopa County?

• Participant centered nutritional education and counseling for high-risk WIC participants
• Community nutrition education programs
• Nutrition programs for K - 8th grade through the Arizona Nutrition Network
• A consumer nutrition e-mail and answer line
• A breastfeeding peer counseling program for WIC clients

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What are the mission and goals of the Maricopa County Dietetic Internship with Community Emphasis?

The mission of the dietetic internship is "to provide a quality community nutrition education program through which interns develop the skills to translate nutrition theory and knowledge into effective application and practice." Planned experience and educational opportunities of the internship will prepare program graduates to sit for the national registration exam and enter the profession as entry-level dietetic practitioners.

Goals of the dietetic internship:

1. Prepare graduates who have met the core competencies and community emphasis competencies as defined by CADE and are eligible to take the RD exam.

 

Outcome Measurement:

• At least 80% or interns will successfully complete the dietetic internship

• At least 80% of interns will pass the registration exam on their first attempt





2. Prepare graduates to meet employer expectations as entry-level practitioners.

 

Outcome Measurement:

• 80% or more of employers will evaluate graduates as good or excellent in the overall preparedness for entry-level work, professionalism, communication, collaboration/compatibility, critical thinking, and problem solving.

 

3. Increase diversity in the dietetics profession by increasing the number of bicultural and bilingual graduates.

    

   Outcome Measurement:

   • No less than 20% of interns will be ethnically and culturally diverse

   • No less than 20% of interns will be bilingual

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What are the Student Learning Outcomes for the Program?

• Outcome #1: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to integrate scientific information and research into the practice of dietetics.

• Outcome # 2: Graduates will develop beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice.

• Outcome #3: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to develop and deliver information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations.

• Outcome #4: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to strategically apply principles of management and systems in order to provide services to individuals and organizations.

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What is the current first time pass rate for the RD exam?

For the five year period of 2005 - 2009, the first time pass rate for graduates of the Maricopa County dietetic internship program is 94%.

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Who has accredited Maricopa County's Dietetic Internship?

The Dietetic Internship at Maricopa County is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995

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What are the graduation requirements?

Graduates of the Maricopa County Dietetic Internship will complete all program requirements. They will demonstrate achievement of the 41 core competencies and 10 community competencies set forth by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.

Upon program completion, graduates will be competent to function as entry-level dietetic professionals and will receive a verification statement.

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Organization information

Shirley Strembel, MS, RD:

Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Office of Nutrition Services
4041 N. Central Avenue, Suite 700
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 506 9325 (Phone)
(602) 506 9330 (FAX)
shirleystrembel@mail.maricopa.gov

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