Internal Dietetic Internship Prerequisite Hours

Another prerequisite to the internal Dietetic Internship at SJSU is a minimum of 450 documented hours of nutrition and dietetics-related work experience in the United States, within the last five years. The 450 hours may be accumulated through volunteering or employment. At least 225 of those 450 hours must be accumulated in a clinical dietetics setting (a hospital's nutrition department), the other 225 hours may accumulate from a variety of settings in dietetics/nutrition or foodservice upon advisement from the internal Dietetic Internship director, Dr. Kathryn Sucher.

Internal Dietetic Internship Non-clinical Prerequisite Hours

Of the 450 internal Dietetic Internship prerequisite hours required, 225 of those hours may accrue in a non-clinical setting with the internal Dietetic Internship directors' approval. Past examples of where to work or volunteer the non-clinical hours follow:

• Food Service: volume food production
• Weight Counseling: Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc.
• Convalescent Hospitals: kitchen help/supervisor
• Health and Education Groups: American Heart Association
• Dietitians in Private Practice

Dr. Sucher conducts an internal Dietetic Internship meeting once a semester, usually at the end of the semester. All students are welcome to attend and obtain information about the internal Dietetic Internship process.