Hebrew Rehabilitation Center and Boston University Partner to Launch RDN Educational Pathway

Boston University and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center have partnered to create a unique educational pathway that prepares future registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the growing health care needs of older adults. 

The BU MS + Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Dietetic Internship Partnership Program combines Boston University’s Master of Science in Nutrition with a clinical concentration and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s specialized Dietetic Internship, offering students a streamlined, 21-month path to advanced clinical nutrition training and supervised practice.

The full-time program integrates rigorous graduate coursework at Boston University with hands-on training in one of New England’s leading geriatric care settings. Upon successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level credits, including all core coursework and a graduate practicum, students transition into Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s nine-month, full-time internship.

“Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s Dietetic Internship is the only program in New England dedicated specifically to geriatric nutrition care and clinical rehabilitation,” said Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Dietetic Internship Program Director Alegria Cohen. “This partnership provides students with specialized expertise that is increasingly critical as the nation’s older adult population continues to grow.”

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center serves older adults with complex medical needs, offering a full continuum of person-centered care for individuals managing chronic illnesses and those recovering from acute medical events. The Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Dietetic Internship prepares graduates to excel in hospital and rehabilitation settings with a strong emphasis on clinical nutrition and food service management.

Students in the program gain supervised practice experience across a wide range of care environments, including subacute clinical care, outpatient nutrition, community nutrition, food service operations, skilled nursing, and long-term care. Specialized training areas include dementia care, geriatric nutrition, wound care, dysphagia management, and end-of-life care.

The Boston University component of the program provides a comprehensive academic foundation through coursework in nutrition science, metabolism, biostatistics, epidemiology, counseling, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, and research methods. Students also benefit from access to nationally recognized faculty and hands-on learning opportunities in Boston University’s state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center.

Program highlights include:

• A Master of Science degree from Boston University, paired with the HRC Dietetic Internship
• Guaranteed merit scholarships of at least $10,000
• Graduate practicum experiences tailored to student interests
• Development of critical professional competencies, including evidence-based practice, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving
• In-person instruction in a STEM-designated graduate program

The internship curriculum includes 36 weeks of supervised practice, featuring clinical nutrition rotations, food service management, community nutrition experiences, outpatient care, health promotion initiatives, and individualized learning opportunities.

Prospective students may apply through Boston University’s standard DICAS application process and elect consideration for the BU MS + HRC Partnership Program. Applicants selected for further review will participate in interviews with representatives from both institutions.

Applications are due October 8, 2026, for study to begin in Fall 2027. If space remains available, applicants can apply in the Spring DICAS cycle by the January 15, 2027, deadline.  

For information about the academic portion of the program, contact Marijane Staniec, master lecturer and dietetic internship director at Boston University. Questions regarding the dietetic internship may be directed to Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s Alegria Cohen.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife is a national leader working to create a world where aging is defined by possibility, not limitation. We care for more than 4,500 older adults each day across seven campuses throughout Greater Boston, and offer support for families in the aging journey. Our services include in-home care, outpatient therapies, an outpatient memory clinic, short- and long-term inpatient care, hospice, independent and assisted living, and affordable housing with services. We conduct influential research on aging at our Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a grant portfolio of $87 million, and train future health care workers at the Lunder CareForce Institute. Hebrew SeniorLife is a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.    

About Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences is a premier academic institution dedicated to advancing human health. Established in 1881, it integrates rigorous science with clinical practice across four core departments: Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences.