Prior Assessed Learning Policy for Students

Meredith College Dietetic Internship (DI) participates in the Prior Assessed Learning Policy (PAL) process. Students who believe they have relevant nutrition and dietetics experience may apply for PAL, which may count as hours towards their supervised practice experience and assignments/competencies.

Credit is granted based on what was learned during the experience and identified competencies rather than how many hours were worked.

Dietetic Internship assignments/competencies need to be met with adequate depth and breadth and include, at a minimum, entry-level skills according to established DI evaluation criteria. 

Any credit granted will shorten the required hours/length of the internship. Tuition rates will remain unchanged. There is no fee to review the student’s PAL application.

To qualify, a student must have completed experiences that meet the following criteria:

• All previous coursework or experiences required by the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are excluded from consideration for PAL credit.  Experiences must have been completed after earning the Didactic Practice in Dietetics (DPD) Verification statement. 
• All experiences submitted for PAL must be less than six years old.  
• Learning that is part of a hands-on educational program may be considered (i.e. practicum completed for graduate degree credit)
• All PAL applications are reviewed, and approvals are granted case-by-case.
• Meredith College DI may award up to 160 hours of PAL credit per intern for each 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, any missing competencies will be explained, any action required by the student will be included, and the hours will be applied toward the program’s total required supervised practice hours. Tuition will not be reduced if approval for PAL is granted. 
• Regardless of the number of PAL credits granted, interns will be required to attend all class days and complete any program-specific project/presentation demonstrating knowledge and application. 
• Please remember that your internship is a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow in your professional experience. You might not want to shorten that time, even if you can. The DI is a great way to broaden and deepen your experience and gain professional contacts. Once you begin working as an RD, it is unlikely you will have access to the wide variety of experiences and quality of mentorship that a preceptor can give.
• The Internship Director will make the final decision to approve PAL.
• Related practice areas include:
  1. Food Service Management
  2. Community Nutrition (WIC, Public Health, etc.)
  3. Community Nutrition (Wellness)

**Credit will not be given for any acute care or clinical experiences

Examples of prior experiences may include:

• Public Health Nutritionist
• WIC Nutritionist
• Food Service Director/Manager or Supervisor
• Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR)

Procedure:

• Students interested in applying for PAL credit will contact the Program Director regarding their interest. The student must indicate which rotation(s) they are applying for PAL.
  1. Food Service Management
  2. Community Nutrition – WIC/Public Health
  3. Community Nutrition- Wellness 

• The Program Director provides the student with the Competency/Application Form.
• Intern must complete and submit all required PAL Competency/Application forms and all supporting documents in the PAL Portfolio:  https://forms.gle/LAC9RH1W8LK9mEUF8:

• At the time of application submission or before March 15, 2025.  
• Students will receive communication regarding the amount (if any) of PAL credit within 20 business days of submission. 
• In addition, students will have the opportunity to apply for PAL upon acceptance to the program

Documentation submission should include, but not limited to:

• Resume, including all relevant job titles and total hours worked in each position
• Detailed job descriptions
• A comprehensive portfolio that includes samples of projects, reports, presentations, audits (safety, sanitation, HACCP), lesson plans, meeting notes, nutrition education materials, menus, newsletters, marketing content, in-service training sessions, theme meals, budgeting, inventory, nutrition counseling notes, etc.
• Job Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
• The supervisor will countersign a written summary of your work performed, hours worked, responsibilities, and skills achieved. Students must include the supervisor’s name, title, and contact information

Completed Meredith College Dietetic Internship rotation evaluation(s) for related PAL assignments by a direct supervisor – please reach out to the DI Director at ostrowsk@meredith.edu  to obtain these evaluations.