1. How long is your program?
2. What is the emphasis of your program?
3. What is the tuition of the program?
4. Is the out of state tuition different from the in state tuition?
5. What forms are used in the application?
6. Who should write references, i.e. letters of recommendation for me?
7. Should I have the individuals writing my recommendations send the letters directly to you, or should I collect them and include them with the rest of my application packet?
8. Where do I mail my packet?
9. Are the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) required?
10. What level/kind of computer skills are needed?
11. Are phone interviews possible?
12. Are the interview dates flexible?
13. Am I considered a University of Maryland student?
14. How much time does the internship require per week?
15. How often do interns meet together?
16. Are meals provided at the rotations?
17. Is parking provided at the rotations?
18. Can I come visit the program?
19. What is a Virtual Open House?
20. How are the program's preceptors selected? Are they paid to provide intern experiences?
21. Are the preceptors always the same for all interns?
22. Do interns have a say in their sites?
23. Is there any reading required of the intern prior to the program starting?
24. Are there exams or tests throughout the year?
25. What are the job opportunities after graduation from the program?
26. Are there any medical or other requirements when the intern enters the program?
27. Are intern policies and procedures available at this web site?
28. Can I do my internship part time?
29. Can I work at one of my facilities and still get paid while I am there as an intern?

How long is your program?

The program is 43 weeks long. It begins early September and ends during the last week of June with program graduation.

What is the emphasis of your program?

The program emphasis is information management and communication and meets all of the internship requirements of the American Dietetic Association. It is critical for dietitians in the future to understand and practice "cutting edge" information technology in order to best function in ever-changing environments of healthcare, business, research and education - in both the public and private sectors.

What is the tuition of the program?

Please view the Costs / Financial Aid section for a detailed listing of all program costs.

Is the out of state tuition different from the in state tuition?

No, tuition, at this time since the program is non-credit, is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.

What forms are used in the application?

The University of Maryland Application Form contains questions that are not listed on the standard ADA application form. Applicants must use the UMD form in order for packets to be accepted. Please see the Application Forms section for further information.

Who should write references, i.e. letters of recommendation for me?

You should request letters of recommendation from persons who know you well enough to be able to address your skills, education, performance and commitment to the dietetics field. At least one of these letters must come from a work supervisor. Another source for letters of recommendation is your college professors. All letters of recommendation must be completed using the ADA recommendation form and the objective scoring must be filled out. NO faxes (letters of recommendation) will be accepted. The person writing the recommendation letter should be instructed to seal the letter in an envelope and sign across the flap before they give it to you to assure the letter is confidential.

Should I have the individuals writing my recommendations send the letters directly to you, or should I collect them and include them with the rest of my application packet?

As much as possible, please send every thing in one packet by traceable mail.

Where do I mail my packet?

It is recommended that packets be sent via overnight mail service and/or certified. Mail packets to:

	Dietetic Internship Selection Committee c/o Phyllis McShane Department of Nutrition and Food Science University of Maryland 0112 Skinner Building College Park, MD 20742

Are the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) required?

No, the GREs are not required.

What kind/level of computer skills are needed?

An entry level ability to use Microsoft Office suite and an interest in learning more.

Are phone interviews possible?

We recommend, if possible, that applicants asked to interview come in person that allows them to meet program preceptors and current interns. However, this is not always possible for someone living out-of-state. If an applicant can not make an in-person interview, phone interviews are available.

Are the interview dates flexible?

No, they are three dates that are set by the program and scheduled well in advance to secure sites and participating preceptors.

Am I considered a University Maryland student?

Interns are University of Maryland Outreach Students and eligible for select university services.

How much time does the internship require of an intern per week?

It is expected that most weeks will involve 35-40 hours (excluding travel) for supervised experience and class days. In addition, interns will have reading assignments and some limited amount of homework relating to each rotation.

How often do interns meet together?

With the exception of the clinical experience, interns go through each rotation paired with another intern from the program. Interns generally see the rest of the internship class once a week at class days.

Are meals provided at the rotations?

Food Service rotations provide meals.

Is parking provided at the rotations?

Parking at many facilities is free. The program pays for parking on UMCP campus.

Can I come visit the program?

Yes, we urge anyone interested to attend one of our open houses. Virtual Open Houses are available for those who cannot attend an in-person open house due to travel or other contraints.

What is a Virtual Open House?

Please visit our separate page on Virtual Open Houses.

How are the program's preceptors selected? Are they paid to provide intern experiences?

The program's preceptors are selected based on their willingness to take interns and skill level in their area of practice. For example, all food service rotations are done in sites where a registered dietitian is the director of the department. Many of our rotation sites have also requested interns, as it is their hope to hire our graduates into their clinical, community, food service and/or information technology sites. No preceptor is paid to provide an experience to interns; all preceptors know they will be working extra hours themselves in order to precept the intern and also do their own jobs. Our preceptors want interns because they like to teach.

Are the preceptors always the same for all interns?

For some rotations they are (e.g. food service), but for others they are not (e.g. clinical rotations).

Do interns have a say in their sites?

Interns are placed at sites based upon site identified as having experienced staff/ preceptors, willingness of site to have interns, staffing at site at point of rotation, and location of interns. Site determination is made by internship director, but takes into account distance intern would drive from location within Maryland.

Is there any reading required of the intern prior to the program starting?

Yes, there are a limited number of "summer assignments" including an information technology self-assessment, 3-day grocery list for couple on a limited income, a review of one complementary medicine or health food store product, a grocery store visit to review low cholesterol, low sodium and diabetic-type products and technology assignment list prior to orientation week testing.

Are there exams or tests throughout the year?

With some rotations there are either oral and/or written "quizzes" with focus on the ability to apply information rather than scoring a grade on a test.

What are the job opportunities after graduation from the program?

As noted above, most of our facilities are providing supervised practice experience as it is their hope to be able to hire our interns once they graduate from the program. There are also many other job opportunities in the Baltimore-Washington area for new graduates.

Are there any medical or other requirements when the intern enters the program?

Yes, all interns must have documentation of receiving two negative Tuberculosis Test within four weeks prior to the start of the program, as this is a requirement for all rotations in acute and long term care. Interns need proof of NMR immunization*, chicken pox immunization (or titres)*, hepatitis  B vaccine immunization**, and a physician health screen*. (* Required by Children's National Medical Center, ** required by Johns Hopkins Hospital).  Interns are also required to carry medical and professional liability insurance. All interns must also provide their own transportation throughout the program, and must also carry automobile liability insurance throughout the program.

Are intern policies and procedures available at this web site?

Yes, all intern policies are listed on this web site.

Can I do my internship part time?

No, not at this time. We are accredited to be a full time program. A minimum of 35-40 hours is required per week during the internship.

Can I work at one of my facilities and still get paid while I am there as an intern?

Yes and no. You can work after internship hours are over (weekends and evenings). You CANNOT be paid for the hours you spend as an intern. The rule is that you may not replace a full time employee while training as an intern. If you were both working and functioning as an intern - there would be a conflict of interest. While in a facility as an intern, you should be learning, and working on project/homework assignments.