Certificate in Dietetics (Dietetic Internship Program) and M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences

Revised November 1, 2023

Master’s Degree Requirement

Students admitted into the Dietetic Internship Program for the 2024-2025 year who do not already possess a graduate degree, will need to also complete the San Francisco State’s M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) degree program before becoming eligible to take the RD/RDN exam.

Prerequisites for the M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and a DPD program and meet all requirements for the Dietetic Internship program will meet the requirements for admission into the M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences. The GRE exam is not required for admittance.

Required Coursework

All students in the Dietetic Internship Program will enroll from Summer 2024-Spring 2025 semesters. Students entering the program without a graduate degree will additionally need to enroll in the M.A. program from Summer 2025-Fall 2025. It is expected that those students will complete both the Dietetic Internship Program and the M.A. by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

The Dietetic Internship Program includes four graduate-level courses which will be credited towards the M.A. in FCS. Additionally, six units of Dietetic Internship units will be credited towards the M.A. in FCS.

Program Description

Each dietetic internship cohort consists of 14 interns. If an intern already has a graduate degree prior to starting the program, they will take the courses highlighted in blue only. All other interns will be required to satisfactorily complete all courses listed below and complete the M.A. degree before receiving a verification statement.

Course list and progression

*Course sequence subject to change

** Graduate Degree

REQUIRED WRITING PROFICIENCY (for those without a graduate degree)

• Level One Written English Proficiency: There are two options:
  • GRE (writing component) with a 4.0 score
  • A minimum grade of “B” on the graduate level position paper in the first semester FCS 700 course
• If neither of the above requirements are met, student is required to:
  • Take and pass HSS 700 Graduate Writing in Health and Social Sciences during the spring semester following the FCS 700 course. (CR/NC only and does not get listed on the ATC

***Students are required to have access to a computer/tablet and reliable internet access for classes and rotations. See technical requirements to use Zoom.The University’s library loans out laptops for students who do not have a computer or tablet, and the university provides free WiFi on campus if students do not have reliable internet access. These both meet the technical requirements for Zoom.

For those who enter the program without a graduate degree, a Verification Statement will not be issued until all requirements for the Dietetic Internship Program and for the M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences are completed.

Supervised practice experiences (NUTR 881) are completed under the direction of a dietitian, foodservice manager, or other qualified professional in a facility or program serving infants, children, adults, older adults, or the general population in a healthcare, community, non-profit, or business setting. Since the Greater San Francisco Bay Area’s population is diverse in ethnicities and culture, individuals who have strong verbal and written English skills who also speak a second language, especially Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese, are encouraged to apply.

This internship is based on specific experiences and competencies set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND requires 1000 hours of supervised practice, which may include up to 300 hours of alternate supervised practice (simulation/case studies) hours. Interns in this program will complete a minimum of 1024 hours of supervised practice, which is typically completed over 32 weeks with 32 hours per week of supervised practice experience. Additional hours may be required or requested, depending on the intern’s progress and ability to complete all required competencies. Alternate supervised practice hours are not typically used unless competencies are unable to be met in rotations. Summer, Fall, and Spring enrollment are required.

Rotations will generally include the following:

• Acute care clinical (hospital)
• Long-term care and/or outpatient/specialty nutrition clinic
• Foodservice systems management 
• Community nutrition and/or public health nutrition
• Elective

Interns will be placed in rotations in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Interns may be able to use public transportation for some rotations, but access to a vehicle for the entire duration of the internship, and proof of auto insurance, is required. In the Bay Area, a one-hour commute each way by car is to be expected and is typical. There may be bridge tolls and significant parking fees as well. Commuting by public transportation is encouraged whenever possible, but will likely require even longer commute times. If you will not have access to a vehicle for the entire duration of the internship, please do not apply to this program, as this is a requirement.

The array of clinical, community, and food service rotations will allow the intern to have a variety of experiences in dietetics. An intern’s interests in specific areas of dietetics will be taken into consideration when scheduling supervised practice rotations. Internship rotations begin in mid-August and typically end the following year at the beginning of June. Interns will typically be given two weeks off during December/January, and one week off for Spring Break, but this time off is not guaranteed. Since this is an intensive program, interns should not expect to hold outside jobs or have other significant time commitments while enrolled in the program.

Program Completion Requirements

• Achieve an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 with a minimum of "C" in all required academic courses and credit in all of the supervised practice internship components of the program. Meet all ACEND competencies for supervised practice as evidenced by activities, assignments, preceptor evaluations, case studies, and papers.
• Evaluation forms – interns must demonstrate dietetics competencies in all three of the following areas: foodservice systems management, clinical/patient care, and community nutrition with a minimum evaluation score of a 3 (satisfactory) or better on all competencies on evaluation forms.
• Competency to be able to function as an entry-level dietitian is demonstrated by satisfactory performance completing staff relief for a minimum of two (2) weeks.
• Interns admitted into the program who already have a graduate degree are expected to complete the program in 11 months. Interns with a graduate degree who are unable to meet completion requirements within 17 months of start date may be terminated from the program unless there are extenuating circumstances. Interns admitted into the program without a graduate degree will be required to complete the M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences. Expected completion time for both the Dietetic Internship program and the M.A. is 18 months. Interns who are unable to complete these requirements within 27 months may be terminated from the program unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Interns that satisfactorily complete all the requirements for both the Dietetic Internship program and the M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences (or had a graduate degree prior to admission) will receive a Verification Statement to certify that the individual is eligible to sit for the RD/RDN exam.
• Interns who have unsatisfactory evaluations from preceptors, unsatisfactory grades, excessive absenteeism or tardiness, unprofessional behavior, or who violate the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Code of Ethics can be terminated from the program. 

San Francisco State University is committed to policies of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender or age.