Supervised Practice at A‑State (Practicums)
A‑State’s Coordinated Program includes 1,080 hours of supervised practice across five practicums. The MSND RD‑Track Student Handbook provides additional details on selecting practicum sites, preceptor qualifications, and expectations for each rotation.
MSND RD‑Track Student Handbook
Practicum 1 – Food Service (180 hours)
• Two sites: school/university kitchen + long‑term care
• Assignments include inventory, job analysis, marketing event, mock audit, plate waste, tray accuracy
Practicum 2 – Hospital Food Service (180 hours)
• Single site
• Assignments include inventory, tray delivery, menu costing, HACCP, scheduling, mock audit
Practicum 3 – Community Nutrition (180 hours)
• Multiple sites (WIC, Extension, food banks, public health, nonprofits)
• Assignments include a nutrition program, blog spot, and two nutrition assessments
Practicum 4 – Clinical (270 hours)
• Hospital + long‑term care
• RD preceptors required
• Assignments include 3 nutrition assessments, swallow screen, 3 patient educations, case study, in‑service, QA project, NG tube assignment, teamwork reflection
Practicum 5 – Advanced Clinical/Outpatient (270 hours)
• Hospital + outpatient clinics (diabetes, dialysis, cardiac rehab, etc.)
• Assignments include 3 nutrition assessments, nutrient intake report, 3 patient educations (diabetes, ESRD, pharmacotherapy), written case study, NG tube assignment, teamwork reflection