• Some students do their placement in accordance with the semester schedule, working a certain number of hours per week throughout the semester. Other students prefer to gain experience when classes are not in session, during the summer or between semesters. It is also possible to begin your work during the school year, but not complete it until after the semester has ended. A grade will not be assigned until the work is completed.
• You are required to invest a minimum of 45 hours per credit.
• See Schedule of Courses listing for the maximum number of credits you can take per semester
• You will keep a timesheet log during the semester, review it with your supervisor and turn it in with your evaluation. Your supervisor must sign both the evaluation and the time sheet.

• You can identify a site and supervisor on your own:

 Looking at the examples under the course options listed below might give you an idea of where to start. A site could be in Burlington, elsewhere in Vermont or out-of-state. You may generate an idea by speaking with your advisor or another faculty member who knows you. If you have an idea about where you would like to do a placement, but are not sure how to approach somebody, you may prefer to set up an appointment with the NFS Practicum or Internship Coordinator first.

• You can set up an appointment with the NFS 3890 Practicum Coordinator,  Kelsey Rose, MPH, RD, or the Internship/Research Coordinator, Beth Bradley, PhD.

You do not need to come with a pre-determined idea of where you would like to be placed. Together with the NFS Praticum and Internship/Reseach Coordinators you will consider your interests and inclinations. The goal will be to identify some options for follow-up. In some cases, following your appointment, the NFS Practicum or Internship/Research Coordinator will make initial contact with a potential supervisor. In other cases, you will initiate the process.

• NFS 2991/NFS 3991 Internship:

For Food Science Concentration and Nutrition, Sustainability and Society Concentration students (Dietetics Concentration students register for NFS 274), an on-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by an NFS faculty member for which academic credit is given.

An internship contract is filled out by the NFS student, with details negotiated with the student and the internship supervisor, and approved by the NFS Internship Coordinator.

• NFS 2995/NFS 3995 Undergraduate Research:

Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of an NFS faculty member for which academic credit is given.

A research contract outlining the research is filled out and signed by the student and the NFS faculty research supervisor and given to the NFS Research Coordinator.

• NFS 3890 Community Practicum for dietetic concentration students only:

This is a required component of the dietetics concentration curriculum that is an on-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan coordinated by the Practicum Coordinator for which academic credit is given.

A practicum contract is filled out by the dietetics concentration student, with details negotiated with the student and the practicum supervisor, and reviewed by the NFS Practicum Coordinator.

• Prior to registering for any course listed above a faculty override by the NFS Practicum or Internship/Research Coordinator is required. Please send an email the coordinator including your student ID number or netID to receive the override.
• You will choose the number of credits when you register for the course. Please be sure you have discussed this with your supervisor before selecting credits. One credit is equal to 45 hours of practicum/internship/research work.
• Registration must occur by the end of the add/drop period as with any other course.
• If you are hoping to do a placement outside of the regular semester schedule please first receive approval of your plan by the Practicum or Internship/Research Coordinator and discuss when the credits will be applied.

1. A completed contract outlining your practicum/internship/research and signed by you and your supervisor is due to the NFS Practicum or Internship /Research Coordinator within one month following the start of the semester in which you are doing your practicum experience; unless you have made other special arrangements with the coordinator. Forms are found in the menu on the right side of this page.
2. A time sheet documenting hours and activities completed during the practicum experience. Keep in mind 45 hours/credit hour must be documented in order to earn the associated credit; for two credits, 90 hours would need to be documented, etc. Timesheet is found in the menu on the right side of this page.
3. A completed evaluation form, completed by your practicum/internship/research supervisor is due three days before the end of the semester's exam period.

• Dietetics Concentration students: A final 5-10 minute final presentation will be completed at the end of your experience.  Due dates will be announced by the NFS Practicum Coordinator at the end of the summer, fall and spring semesters.  Details about the presentation process are found in the box on the right side of the page. Note: This final presentation assignment is not required of NFS students who are involved in an internship or research experience.

The supervisor at your practicum/internship placement will recommend a grade as part of the written evaluation completed at the end of the semester. It is up to the NFS Practicum or Internship/Research Coordinator to submit your final grade. Your oral presentation will not be assigned a grade. However, the quality of your presentation, as well as your participation in the mandatory presentation class, will influence the grade recommended by your supervisor.