This document summarizes a survey of 18 program directors from Master's dietetic internship programs in the U.S. regarding their roles, employment models, and curriculum delivery. The survey found that program directors were typically employed full-time by the university, with responsibilities including internship management, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, scholarly work, and service. Most directors did not have research expectations. Programs ranged from 16-25 months and awarded 30-48 credits, with supervised practice hours making up 9-24 credits. All required GRE admission scores. The data informed development of an integrated Master's program proposal at the University of Virginia.

1. A Survey of Master’s Dietetic Internship Programs in the U.S.:
Program Director Roles, Employment and Curriculum Delivery Models
Ana Abad-Jorge, Ed.D, MS, RDN, FAND and James Potter, MBA
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Curriculum DeliveryEDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: BACKGROUD
STUDY RESULTS
INTRODUCTION
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this survey study was to identify:
• Typical master’s program director roles within existing
master’s dietetic internship (MSDI) programs.
• Employment models for graduate program directors.
• Curriculum delivery models for courses.
SURVEY STUDY METHODS
• Given the new graduate degree requirements for entry into
the profession of nutrition and dietetics, the School of
Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of
Virginia is finalizing a proposal for a graduate program in
nutrition and dietetics in partnership with the already
existing UVA Health System Dietetic Internship.
• As the proposal establishes the creation of a university-
based academic graduate program in combination with a
hospital-based internship program, questions arose as to the
optimal approach for graduate program director roles,
employment and curriculum delivery models.
 Educational requirements for entry into the profession of
nutrition and dietetics has been a topic of much discussion
and debate over the past two decades.
 As a result, in 2013, CDR established the requirement that by
January 1, 2024, a graduate degree which integrates
supervised practice into the curriculum will become the
entry to Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist practice in the
future upon successful completion of the RDN examination.
 The challenge within nutrition and dietetics education is that
as of September 2016, only 47 programs of the 250
Dietetic Internship programs, or 18.8% of all accredited DI
programs in the U.S., “result in a graduate degree”.
 ACEND is developing the Future Education Model for the
profession and developing graduate program standards of
education for the education of future RDNs.
• In August 2015, while developing the MSDI program
proposal, which needs to receive both university and
regional accreditation approval, 18 program directors
(PD) from the 45 MSDI (40%) programs were surveyed via
phone or email to determine: a) PD roles and titles, b) PD
employment and c) Curriculum delivery models.
• Additional program information was obtained from the
program website and confirmed with the PDs via phone call
or email.
All of the MSDI directors who were employed by the
university were employed full time; however, their job
responsibilities varied:
• Internship Management – varied; at times a separate
faculty (coordinator) managed internship related duties
• Teaching Responsibility – often both undergraduate and
graduate courses, some were faculty for DI credit hours
• Scholarly & Service Work – leadership roles within the
department, school or university, i.e. nutrition curriculum
committee, graduate committee, search committees
• Research – Most MSDI Directors (83%) did not have
research as an expectation of their position.
Lines of Reporting - MSDI directors employed by universi-
ties typically report to the Department Director or Chair,
who then reports to Associate Dean or Dean of the School.
SURVEY QUESTIONS ASKED
• Who are you employed by?
• If employed by the university, what is
your rank or status, i.e. lecturer,
assistant, associate professor, other?
• Who do you report to?
• What is the nature of your role as MSDI program director
in addition to managing the DI program? Do you teach
courses as well? If so, how many per semester?
• Do you have research responsibilities as part of your role?
Program Director – Academic Titles
Program Directors with
Doctoral Degree
Program Directors
with Master’s Degree
• Clinical Associate Professor
• Assistant Professor
• Associate Professor
• Full Professor
• Instructors
• Lecturers
• Clinical Professors
Job Responsibilities & Lines of Reporting  Programs surveyed ranged from 16-25 months in length.
 Programs that were 16 months in length or shorter
typically begin the internship rotations in the fall of Year 1.
 Programs that were 2 years or longer often have graduate
courses in Year 1, and the supervised practice during Year 2.
 Total program credit requirements: 30-48 credit range.
 Credits for the supervised practice hours ranged from 9 to
24 credits. The typical range of credits fell between 12 to
14 credits for supervised practice hours.
 All MSDI programs surveyed required completion of the
GRE for program admission.
Conclusion: Data obtained was useful in informing
employment, organizational and curricular elements of
UVA’s integrated MS Program proposal aligned with
ACEND’s Future Education Model.