Supervised Practice

Total: 1,080 hours*

*These are minimum hour requirements; totals could be slightly higher depending on calendar dates and schedules.

• Attain 75% average on all graded activities.
• Achieve all competency requirements, including academic and professional behavior standards, with acceptable score of 3 or above on rating scale of each rotation evaluation tool.
• Fulfill all designated hour requirements. All hours will be recorded and tracked using the Typhon management system (Required element 8.1c).
• If required hours are not completed:
  • Grade of “I” until hours are fulfilled before the next practicum begins.
  • If hours remain incomplete, grade of “F” is assigned. Student cannot proceed in the program and must reapply, resuming at the beginning of the practicum in question (space permitting).
• Professional activities promoted by the program may count toward supervised practice hours. These are recorded in the conference log within Typhon.
• Other class activities (e.g., case studies, simulations) may count toward supervised practice hours at the discretion of the practicum instructor. Alternate activities are noted on evaluation and time sheet in Typhon.

Students are responsible for securing their own sites and preceptors. For students located near Arkansas State University or in areas where faculty have connections, potential preceptors and sites have been identified. Students are not required to choose these, but local student acceptance may be limited based on availability and at the discretion of the program director.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a Find-a-Preceptor Database for program directors and students (members of the Academy) to search for and contact preceptors willing to teach students within their practice area.

Preceptors may include:

• Registered Dietitians (RD / RDN) – required for clinical rotations
• Licensed Dietitians (LD), Certified Dietitians (CDN)
• Nutritionists
• Registered Nurses (RN), Nurse Practitioners (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
• Physicians’ Assistants
• Food Service Directors (schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.)
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• Administrators (e.g., nursing home or assisted living)
• Others evaluated case-by-case

Note: Some experiences must be supervised by RDs, while others may be supervised by team members involved in nutrition and dietetics issues.

A-State does not require preceptors identified at application, but a list must be provided to the program director before the first program course. Faculty will evaluate potential preceptors within 1–2 weeks. Upon approval, the program director initiates the affiliation agreement process and obtains resumes.

• Must have education and experience to provide appropriate guidance.
• Must be licensed or credentialed as required by state/federal regulations.
• Clinical preceptors (Practicum IV & V) must be RDs. Community preceptors may be RDs or hold nutrition-related positions. Food service preceptors may be managers, Certified Dietary Managers, extension personnel, or professionals with health promotion backgrounds (RD not required).
• Preceptor or another RD on staff must be available for the entire rotation.
• Must demonstrate willingness to take on responsibility for students (assignments, teaching, mentoring, evaluations, time management).
• Must demonstrate communication skills and collaborate with program director/faculty.
• Must demonstrate good people skills, patience, and understanding to teach required knowledge and skills.
• Must support Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics practice standards and preferably be a member of the Academy if an RD.
• Must be willing to use Typhon system for tracking hours and completing evaluations.

Students complete 1,080 supervised practice hours: 360 in foodservice, 180 in community, and 540 in clinical settings. All rotations/hours should be in person. Telehealth positions considered case-by-case.

Potential Sites for Food Service

FSM rotations may be completed at hospitals, long-term care facilities, school nutrition programs, or university dining services. Other sites may qualify with program director approval.

Potential Sites for Community Nutrition

Community rotations should be at facilities focused on nutrition and public health. Recommended sites include SNAP, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, food banks, WIC, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Congregate/Home-Delivered Meal Programs, and grocery stores with dietitians. Other sites may qualify with program director approval.

Potential Sites for Clinical Nutrition

Clinical rotations should expose students to varied disease states. Recommended sites include hospitals (large or small), long-term care facilities, outpatient centers, or dialysis centers. Students should spend at least two weeks at any clinical site. Facilities must provide access to all activities needed to meet competencies.

Many sites require proof of vaccinations and an annual TB skin test. The program must have proof of vaccination for MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and an annual TB skin test.

COVID-19: While Arkansas State University does not require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to receive educational services, many off-campus activities (e.g., clinical rotations, athletic events) may require proof of vaccination. Students must comply with site-specific requirements.

Failure to comply with site requirements may result in delay of program progression or graduation. The program is not obligated to find alternative placement sites due to a student’s failure to follow site requirements.