Dietetic Internship Program

The Dietetic Internship Program at Lehman College is a full-time program. The goal of the program is to provide access to a high-quality internship over a three-semester period (12 months). The internship placements require a minimum of 1,100 hours of supervised practice, to be completed over the course of three consecutive semesters with a range of 30 - 37.5 hours of supervised practice per week (Monday to Friday), for a total of 12 months. In addition, interns will also complete up to 200 hours of alternative practice activities. There is a provision for interns who need to work to spend no more than 15 hours each week in paid employment.

Welcome

There is continued awareness that people's dietary patterns contribute to their quality of life. Studies have shown that people’s susceptibility to chronic disease is influenced by their diet and environment. Dietary-influenced chronic disease is observed in all communities and disproportionately affect communities that are economically compromised. The Lehman DI provides opportunities for future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to work with a variety of communities and life cycle stages. Located in the north Bronx, the Lehman DI has facilities/sites for supervised practice in NYC, Westchester, Rockland, and Fairfield Counties. Lehman College is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the diverse population it serves on and off campus.

The Lehman DI offers a well-rounded program with rotations in food service management, community and research, with a concentration in medical nutrition therapy. Since 2019 we added two new community rotations -- Sustainability and Teaching Kitchen. In exploring the food sectors and local food systems, interns learn to incorporate new ways to reduce the risk of chronic disease on a community level. In addition, the interns get to explore the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) LuEsther Mertz Library, the Edible Academy, and the NYBG grounds as part of this new "future of food" curriculum though a special consortia agreement between Lehman and the NYBG.

We accept up to 14 interns per year. Beginning 2024, interns will need a MS degree to be able to sit for the CDR exam.

Students applying to the Lehman DI are required to have:

a DPD Verification Statement
MS degree, or have started a MS degree program.

Review Intern Handbook (page 6) for course requirements and course sequencing.

To learn more about the Lehman DI and MS degree requirements attend any one of our Open House sessions; RSVP to Marina Stopler, DI Director with date.
marina.stopler@lehman.cuny.edu

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 11-1pm, Lehman College, Gillet 430
Friday, December 6, 2024, from 1-2pm via Zoom
Monday, January 6, 2025, from 6-7pm via Zoom

Zoom meeting details:
https://lehman-cuny-edu.zoom.us/j/83259635048?pwd=FV5mRtU9cPnRxEZOBOiQCBxb85MMYI.1
Meeting ID: 832 5963 5048 Passcode: 525626

Refer to the eatrightpro.org website to learn more about dietetic internship programs and application deadlines.

Lehman College is located in the northwest Bronx at:
250 Bedford Park Boulevard West
Bronx NY, 10468
Lehman College Map and Directions

The Dietetic Internship Program has been granted continued Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. ACEND® can be contacted by:
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
ACEND Website

For complete information about our DI Program, including our policies, please refer to our Intern Handbook

Interns graduate when they complete the Dietetic Internship and submit a graduate degree with a master’s degree confer date. At that time, intern graduates receive a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement. Graduates proceed to sit for the CDR credentialing exam ("Registration Examination", "RD Exam"). Exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Information about the exam can be found on the CDR website.

After passing the CDR Exam, registered dietitians may apply to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, to become a Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist in the State of New York - Office of the Professions

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice.

While state interpretations of status may vary, It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify for an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their states licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license.

For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.