Those who are accepted into this program will complete 1000 hours of supervised practice as six rotations within traditional and non-traditional areas of dietetic practice nested within the robust environment of the Chicago area. The didactic component includes eight credits of graduate work within the Department of Food and Nutrition. The rotations include clinical, food service management, community, research, teaching and marketing. While our internship includes hospital and medical centers as the traditional environments of dietetic practice, our program also incorporates unique settings to broaden the skills and potential of the emerging dietetic professional to meet the challenges of the new millennium. Examples of these include community clinics, restaurants, public relations firms, food manufacturing companies, federally funded food programs, university based research projects, retail grocery stores, consultant dietitians, schools, supplemental and emergency food programs, non-profit professional agencies and even a zoological park.
Travel abroad is an option for part of the community rotation for a limited number of interns.
Additional experiences include participation in Lobby Day sponsored by the Illinois Dietetic Association and monthly seminars. The didactic component includes classes on topics related to dietetic practice taught by faculty with strong experiential backgrounds. The rich offerings of the University, including an excellent library system, computer facilities, and spiritual programs, support academic development of the dietetic intern.