Below, you will find information on the overall yearly schedule, a typical week's outline, a sample rotation schedule, and the timing of graduate courses.
Schedules
The dietetic internship is approximately 11 months long. The table below lists the tentative schedule for the 2022-2023 internship cycle. Please note that these dates are subject to change. The internship generally follows the official Texas State calendar for most major holidays and breaks; however, rotations may begin before or end after the academic semesters, as indicated below. This supervised practice schedule integrates with the MS Program in Human Nutrition.
| Dates | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7/5/22 – 8/5/22 | Summer II Semester | Classes held Monday – Friday (Spanish for the Nutrition Professional & Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy) |
| 8/15/22 – 8/19/22 | Orientation Week | Case studies, Food Security Learning Community meetings, and rotation preparation |
| 8/22/22 | Fall Rotations Begin | Rotations are every week, Tuesday – Friday from approximately 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (but hours will vary depending on the rotation). |
| 8/22/22 | Fall Classes Begin | Classes held Mondays from approximately 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (Practicum & Seminar in Nutrition in the Lifespan) |
| 11/22/22 – 11/25/2022 | Thanksgiving Break | No classes or rotations |
| 12/09/22 | Fall Classes End | |
| 12/09/22 | Fall Rotations End | |
| 12/10/22 – 1/1/23 | Semester Break | |
| 1/2/23 | Spring Rotations Begin | Rotations are every week, Tuesday – Friday from approximately 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (but hours will vary depending on the rotation). |
| 1/17/23 | Spring Classes Begin | Classes held Mondays from approximately 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (Practicum & Advanced Community Nutrition) |
| 3/13/23 – 3/17/23 | Approximate Spring Break | NOTE: Actual Spring Break dates for each intern may vary by a week or two to accommodate rotation schedules. |
| 5/5/23 | Spring Classes End | |
| 5/5/23 | Spring Rotations End | |
| 5/8/23 – 5/12/23 | Exit Week | Role playing, RD exam prep, job prep |
Weekly Schedule
Throughout the supervised practice portion of the MS/DI, interns can expect to be busy for approximately 40 hours per week. During the summer semester, classes are held from about 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday. During the fall and spring semesters, interns are in classes on Mondays from about 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, and in rotations Tuesdays - Fridays from about 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Actual rotation hours vary depending on preceptor and site (for example, most food service rotations begin at 5:00 am), but interns are expected to complete at least 32 hours per week during their rotations.
Supervised Practice Rotations
Rotations are grouped into three categories: clinical, business/management, and community. Interns rotate through 10-15 different organizations over the course of their supervised practice. This exposure provides interns with a broad experience of the role and scope of the Registered Dietitian and facilitates networking for future employment.
Graduate Courses
Typically, interns take the following graduate courses during supervised practice:
- Summer 2: Spanish for the Nutrition Professional* and Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Fall: Advances in Child Nutrition
- Spring: Advanced Community Nutrition
*Fluent Spanish speakers can test out of this course and choose another elective for this semester.