Mission and Goals

The mission of the Internship Program at UMaine is to prepare graduates for entry-level positions as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists by providing opportunities to apply knowledge, develop skills, attain the competencies and demonstrate professionalism. To this end, the Program provides the didactic and supervised practice components for graduates to earn a Master of Science (or PhD) degree and to be able to pass the CDR National Registration Exam. The Program serves the state’s need as the only accredited instate dietetic internship program preparing graduates for CDR credentialing.

We believe

  • learning is a positive experience in a” hands on” health care environment, which is different than in a classroom, and that students need to be prepared for the transition and supported throughout the supervised practice.
  • networking and using peers as a support group serves the nutrition and dietetic professional well, and we strive to develop this concept in interns and to foster its realization throughout the program.
  • being a good team member is a critical skill for future professional success. The curriculum is designed to foster team-building skills.
  • interns are our most important evaluators; we actively seek their input on how to make the program better, and try hard to be responsive to their needs.
  • a wide variety of practice opportunities fosters a broad perspective of the profession in clinical, food service management, and community sites.

Dietitians believe in the value of educating interns as future professionals. They take their roles seriously and enjoy interacting with interns.

Goal #1: To produce graduates who have developed the skills to pass the National Registration Exam and become entry-level Registered Dietitians.

• At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 36 months  (150% of planned program length). 
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 70 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. 
• At least  80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. 
• 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%.

Goal #2: To develop self-reliant dietitians capable of providing clinical nutrition, community nutrition & food service management services in a variety of settings.

• The mean rating on “adequately prepared for entry level dietetics” that employers give program graduates in their employ meets or exceeds the rating of 5.0 on 6.0 scale, indicating they “agree” the graduate is prepared for practice.
• The mean rating on “adequately prepared for entry level dietetics” that alumni of the program give themselves meets or exceeds the rating of 5.0 on a 6.0 scale, indicating they “agree” they are prepared to practice.

Data on program outcomes are available upon request.