Program Requirements
               
                  
                     
                     The MS-DI Internships Program provides students with the in-depth knowledge and professional
                        skills required to practice dietetics/nutrition. The program fosters and promotes
                        the advancement to leadership roles in the nutrition and dietetic profession. An attempt
                        is made to match the interns to sites and/or experiences to support their interests
                        and career goals. The supervised practice experiences will meet entry level competencies
                        established by the accrediting agency. Each student has the opportunity to gain additional
                        needs, preferences and interests in the self-select  rotation . The program assists the students with securing a self-select rotation.
                     
                     Please Note
                     
                     
                        
                        - Academic Credit: No academic credit from a previous degree will be granted.
 
                        
                        - Policy Statement on Prior Assessed Learning: The MS-DI Program at Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» does not grant supervised practice hours
                           credit for prior learning or competence.
 
                        
                        - Intern Employment: The Program Director and preceptors are sympathetic to the graduate student interns’
                           need for employment; however, it is highly discouraged during the supervised practicum
                           (Year 2). The supervised practicum is fast-paced, and the demand and commitment are
                           like a full-time job (32-40 hours a week).
 
                        
                  
                  
                
               
                  
                     
                     Pre-Placement Requirements
                     
                     
                        
                        - DPD Verification Statements: Graduate student interns must present an original copy of their DPD Verification
                           Statement before or at the program's start (August). These statements are generated
                           by the student’s DPD program director. The DPD Verification Statement is granted after
                           the student has completed the necessary curriculum and standards set forth by the
                           granting institution.
 
                        
                        - Final Transcripts: All graduate student interns must submit a final official transcript to the Program
                           Director before or at the program's start. The transcripts must indicate the type
                           of degree awarded and the date.
 
                        
                        - Immunizations and Health Clearance: All interns are required to provide evidence of being current on all the necessary
                           vaccinations and immunizations. Documentation of a physical examination that takes
                           place June-August of the year of the internship start must also be provided. The intern’s
                           most recent tuberculosis (TB) test must be negative and completed within the past
                           year or more recently, according to the partner agency/placement. Required immunizations
                           include MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox vaccine or documentation of chicken
                           pox. The intern is required to carry his/her personal health (medical) insurance or
                           student health insurance offered by Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» throughout the program. Immunizations must be submitted to Student Health prior to enrollment.
 
                        
                        - Transportation: Graduate student interns are responsible for their transportation to and from affiliated
                           facilities, including attending classes, professional meetings, and conferences. Public
                           transportation may be limited in the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» area. It is required that graduate student
                           interns have their mode of reliable transportation. The intern must have a valid driver’s
                           license, vehicle insurance, registration, and license.
 
                        
                        - Background Checks and Drug Screening: Graduate student interns will work in facilities (i.e., hospitals, schools) requiring
                           criminal background checks and/or drug screens. The program will accept the site's
                           policies if an intern is rejected due to criminal background checks and drug screening
                           issues. Once admitted to the program, the graduate student interns will be required
                           to obtain a criminal background check and drug screening. Results must be sent directly
                           to the Program Director by the agency conducting the testing. Rotation sites may request
                           copies or verification of background checks and drug screening results from the Program
                           Director. The graduate student intern is required to sign a consent form to permit
                           the sharing of the intern’s information with affiliated rotation sites. Also, the
                           graduate student interns will disclose their date of birth and social security number
                           to assist facilities with their background checks and clearance to access patient
                           or client information. During the program, all graduate student interns must self-disclose
                           criminal convictions that occur within three business days of the conviction. Failure
                           to do so may result in dismissal from the program.
 
                        
                        - Liability Insurance: Graduate student interns must maintain dietetic practice liability insurance throughout
                           the program at a minimum of $1/$3 million. Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» will provide liability
                           insurance to graduate student interns.
 
                        
                        - Professional Memberships: Graduate student interns are required to maintain and update Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership and the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» Area Dietetic Association memberships during the program.
 
                        
                   
                
               
                  
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           
                           
                              
                              Coursework
                              
                              The MS-DI program consists of 1,152 hours of supervised practice and 45 credit hours
                                 ~190 hours of didactic classroom instruction. Graduate student interns work full time
                                 32-40 hours/week and attend didactic classes (Mondays only) on the university campus
                                 during the second year. 
                              
                              View Curriculum
                               
                           
                        
                        
                           
                           
                              
                              Rotations
                              
                              The program provides supervised practice in a variety of settings in the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» area.
                                 The program has a medical nutrition therapy (clinical) concentration. Rotation sites/facilities
                                 includes hospitals, bariatric clinics, benign hematological clinic, dialysis centers,
                                 school district, public health departments, and long-term care. Interns are randomly assigned to facilities/sites. Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» does not pay nor provide a stipend to graduate student interns.
                              
                              
                               
                           
                         
                   
                
               
                  
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           
                           Time to Completion
                           
                           All interns should complete the program within 150% of the initial program length
                              (21 months), equal to 31.5 months. All graduate student interns will be required to
                              successfully complete the MS coursework, Capstone Project, and supervised practice
                              hours to be eligible to receive a verification statement.
                           
                           International interns are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate documentation (visa) to allow
                              graduate student interns adequate time to complete the program.
                            
                        
                        
                           
                           Completion Requirements
                           
                           In order to complete the program, all graduate student interns must complete 45 credit
                              hours, achieve a letter grade of B or higher on all graduate courses, and complete
                              a capstone project. Graduate students must complete 1152 hours of supervised practice,
                              achieve all ACEND competencies, and score 80% or higher on supervised practice performance
                              evaluations, projects, assignments, and other activities assigned by the preceptors
                              and/or program director.
                           
                           Students are also required to complete 30 volunteer hours in the first year and 20
                              volunteer hours in the second year. Graduate student interns meeting the above criteria
                              will also receive an ACEND Verification Statement signed by the director. Graduate
                              student interns (graduates) will then be eligible to take the Registered Dietitian
                              Nutritionist Exam.
                            
                         
                     
                     Helpful Information
                     
                     
                        
                        - Computers: Interns must have a printer with scanning capability. A personal computer/laptop
                           with Internet access is required. .
 
                        
                        - Intern Resources: Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³» provides a wide range of resources designed to support and promote
                           academic success and personal health and well-being. The services include academic
                           and career advising, counseling, and disability services. A comprehensive list and
                           description of offered services are available in the .