Prior Assessed Learning Credit
NutraCo Dietetic Internship participates in the Prior Assessed Learning Policy (PAL) process recognized by ACEND. After acceptance into our program, interns who have relevant nutrition and dietetics experience may apply for PAL that may count as hours towards their supervised practice experience hours and assignments. Credit is granted based on what was learned during the experience, and the competencies that were met, rather than how many hours were worked. Assignments will not be waived unless hours are granted for a specific rotation as part of the PAL credit.
Qualifying Criteria:
- Work or volunteer nutrition and dietetics related experience
- Learning that is part of an educational program may be considered (i.e. practicum completed for graduate degree credit)
- Experiences that do not qualify include:
- Self-employed experiences (experiences must have been done in a supervised environment)
- Experiences outside of the United States
- Experiences or coursework completed as part of a DPD or undergraduate program
- Experiences completed more than 7 years ago
- Credit will not be given for any acute care clinical experiences
- Related practice areas include:
- Food Service Management (Food Service Director/Manager or Supervisor)
- Community Nutrition (WIC Nutritionist, Public Health Nutritionist, etc.)
- Long Term Care (Dietetic Technician)
- Wellness Promotion
Procedure:
- Upon acceptance into the program, intern will contact the Program Director regarding their interest in PAL credit. The intern must indicate which rotation(s) they are applying for PAL.
- Food Service Management
- Community Nutrition
- Long Term Care Concentration
- Wellness Promotion Concentration
- Intern must complete and submit all required documentation for the PAL Portfolio (see below) via email to the Program Director by:
- January Start Date: December 1st (unless otherwise specified)
- August Start Date: June 1st (unless otherwise specified)
- Prior Assessed Learning will only be evaluated after the intern has been accepted to the program.
The Prior Assessed Learning Portfolio must include:
- Prior Assessed Learning Portfolio Form: All sections must be completed (written summary of work performed, hours worked, site name, job title).
- The bottom of the form should be signed by the supervisor and include their name, title and contact information.
- One form must be submitted for each experience.
- Samples of Work: Provide work samples to support that the competencies were met; may include projects, reports, presentations, etc.
- Food Service Management experiences may include: Safety/sanitation audit, HACCP audit, in-service training sessions, theme meals, budgeting, inventory, menu review/development, recipe review, etc.
- Community Nutrition or Wellness Promotion experiences may include: Lesson plans, meeting notes, nutrition education materials, newsletters, marketing content, social media posts, counseling notes, etc.
- Long Term Care experiences may include: Nutrition assessments, diet order accuracy audit, weight change audit, etc.
- PAL Competency Assessment Form (only need to complete the one(s) you are applying for PAL):
Review of PAL Portfolio:
- All PAL documentation is reviewed, and approvals are granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Additional information may be requested, in which case the material must be submitted by the intern within 1 week of the request.
- NutraCo DI may award up to 320 hours of PAL credit per intern for qualified experience(s).
- Once the intern receives confirmation that PAL credit has been granted, the details of the PAL credit will be provided in writing and the hours will be applied towards the program’s total required supervised practice hours.
- Tuition will not be reduced if approval for PAL is granted.
- The final decision to approve PAL will be made by the Internship Director.
