Dietetic Internship FAQs

Look for an apartment near public transportation (a “T” stop) in the areas near Mount Auburn Hospital, including Cambridge, Watertown, Somerville and Boston. Rent can be costly. We can help you find a roommate by putting you in touch with other Boston-area interns. Learn about living in Cambridge.

You have the option of a car or public transportation. Mount Auburn Hospital offers parking for $8 a week and a 40% discount on public transportation passes. We recommend using public transportation since it is an affordable and reliable way to get around. You will be able to reach all your rotations by public transportation. Learn about public transit with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Boston is cold in the winter. A five-minute wait for the bus can seem like an eternity without the right gear. So bring a heavy winter coat, gloves, hats, scarves and boots. Be prepared for heat and humidity in the summer, too. Temps can be high (up to 95 degrees).

Dress codes vary among rotations.

• Food service rotations: Wear dark pants and comfortable, closed-toed shoes with non-slip soles.
• Other rotations: Wear closed-toed shoes. At Mount Auburn Hospital, interns can choose to wear scrubs or business casual. Professional-looking khakis are acceptable. You will wear a white lab coat provided by Mount Auburn Hospital.

The program is 41 weeks. It begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and ends the following June.

Interns receive one week vacation during Christmas, plus eight holidays and up to four sick/personal days per year.

Interns are on duty for at least eight hours a day, five days a week, including some weekends and holidays. Scheduled hours vary depending on the rotation. You may be expected to remain on duty after hours due to the nature of the work.

Work hours vary by rotation. You may need to be at the hospital as early as 5:30 am for the food service rotation. Most clinical and community rotations start anywhere from 7 am and 9 am. Commuting time varies. Traffic can be unpredictable in the Boston area.

You’ll spend additional time on homework and projects. Some rotations have no outside work, others may require up to 10 hours a week.

Complete the summer assignment and review charting in the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) note format. You may also want to review notes from college courses, especially from diet therapy or medical nutrition therapy classes. Come with a positive attitude and be prepared to work hard — that’s what your preceptors expect from you — and you won’t be disappointed!

On average, our program receives 35 applications.

We accept two interns every year.

• Tuition is $1,200 due when you accept admission to the program.
• Interns receive a monthly stipend of $390, total of $3,900.
• Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation either via car or public transportation. 

• Small program combines the benefits of a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital in a community-based setting
• Size of the internship allows for more personal attention