James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
The James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) Dietetic Internship Program offers a 16-month Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) Program track and a 12-month stand-alone DI track. Both options include a 12-month (49-weeks) supervised practice experience with concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Our MS/DI track partners with New York University (NYU) for a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition degree.
The supervised practice experience offers approximately 1440 hours in various rotations such as in clinical dietetics, food service systems, clinical nutrition management, and community nutrition. Dietetic interns in the MS/DI must complete a minimum of 19 graduate credits at NYU and finish the remainder of credits in 1 full-time semester following the supervised practice program. This program provides opportunity for dietetic interns to work on practical application of their didactive coursework in a clinical setting. Successful completion of the supervised practice program and conferral of Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition (or similar) leads candidates to their Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Verification Statement, granting them ability to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Registered Dietitian examination. Dietetic Interns beginning the program with a conferred MS in Clinical Nutrition will be able to achieve their ACEND DI Verification Statement upon successful completion of supervised practice.
Mission Statement
The mission of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship is to prepare competent, entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists to meet the needs of America's Veterans as well as the general population. Graduates of the program will be committed to evidenced-based practice, providing high quality nutritional care to their patients and/or clients.
Program Philosophy
The Medical Center, its affiliates, and New York University have always been committed to the education and training of professionals in dietetics and allied health fields. This dietetic internship was reestablished in 1982 with a prior 29-year history as an internship. NYU has offered a master’s degree in nutrition since 1945.
The program is designed to produce a competent master’s level graduate with a well-integrated practical and theoretical education to meet the expanding role of today's dietetic practitioner. Graduates are well prepared to meet the expanding role of the dietitian in clinical, management and community nutrition, to the VA system, the metropolitan New York area and beyond. The program provides career placement assistance for all graduates.
Program Goals and Measurable Outcomes
Dietetic Internship Program Goals
Goal 1—The program will prepare graduates to be professional, competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
- Objective 1: Program Completion
- MS/DI: At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 24 months (150% of planned program length). *
- DI: At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 18 months (150% of planned program length). *
- Objective 2: Graduate Performance on Registration Exam: At least 100% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12-months of program completion.
- Objective 3: Graduate Performance on Registration Exam: 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 4: 85% of program graduates who respond to the graduate survey will indicate that the dietetic internship adequately prepared them for professional practice.
- Objective 5: Employer Satisfaction: The mean rating for competence skill that the graduate demonstrated upon initial hire will be a (2) or Entry-Level, or higher. *
- Objective 6: 50% of program graduates who respond to the graduate survey will indicate that they are members of nutrition-related or other professional associations and/or demonstrate interest in seeking advanced practice credentials in the next five years at the time they complete the graduate survey.
Goal 2—The program will provide a pool of qualified dietitians to the VA system.
- Objective 1: At least 20% of program graduates will accept a position at JJPVAMC or in another VA or federal facility.
- Objective 2: At least 70% of graduates who respond to the graduate survey indicate that they would consider federal employment in the future (such as VA, DoD/Military, CDC, NIH, and/or USDA).
- Objective 3: Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation *
* ACEND required program objectives.
Outcome measures are available upon request from Verzhine Owens, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES at verzhine.owens@va.gov
Page Updated: September 2023
