Combined M.S./Dietetics Internship

Combined Masters of Science with Dietetic Internship (M.S./DI) Program

Prospective applicants to the OUHSC DI Program who do not possess a graduate degree may apply for the combined Masters of Sciences with Dietetic Internship Program.

Dietetic Interns admitted to the M.S./DI program will receive six graduate credit hours for the internship to count towards the M.S. degree. Prospective interns who wish to apply to the M.S. program must ensure they meet the minimum requirements.  Please review the M.S. in Nutritional Sciences webpage for more details.

If accepted to the M.S./DI program, interns will complete the supervised practice portion first, and the six credit hours gained from supervised practice will count toward the OUHSC M.S. in Nutritional Sciences Program.

Rotation Sites

There are four rotation modules (food service management, clinical, community, and elective):

• Eight-week food service management rotation
• Eight-week community rotation (experiences in wellness, public schools, renal disease, WIC, outpatient counseling, weight management, etc.)
• Eight-week clinical rotation
• Four-week elective rotation (nutrition-focused outcome concentration)

The first three rotation modules are not completed in any particular order.  Some interns will start the first rotation module in food service management, some interns will start in community, and some interns will start in clinical.  The same goes for the second and third rotation modules.  Each intern will complete the elective rotation module during the last 4 weeks of the program internship.

For the clinical and food service management rotation modules, each intern will typically be assigned to one hospital site and will be placed at that site for 16 weeks (8 weeks of clinical rotation + 8 weeks of food service management rotation = 16 weeks). The OUHSC Dietetic Internship utilizes hospital sites across the State of Oklahoma including hospitals in Oklahoma City (OKC), Tulsa, and smaller cities across the state. If an intern is assigned to a hospital outside of OKC or Tulsa, that intern will live in that city for 16 weeks of the internship program. It would not be feasible to live in OKC or Tulsa and commute to these smaller cities as some of these cities can be up to two hours away from OKC or Tulsa.  Interns can also be placed in a hospital in the OKC area or Tulsa area.

For the community rotation module, the internship program utilizes rotation sites in the OKC metro area and Tulsa metro area only. These are the two largest cities in Oklahoma, and because of this, these two cities provide the best opportunities for community rotations.  In the smaller cities, there are typically no opportunities to complete community rotations due to their smaller size.  The intern may preference OKC or Tulsa area for the community rotation for the entirety of the eight-week module. 

If the intern is assigned to a hospital for the clinical and food service management rotations which is outside the OKC or Tulsa metro areas, the intern will have to move to the OKC area or Tulsa area to complete the eight weeks of the community rotation module. This will require the intern to move at least once during the internship. If an intern is assigned to a hospital in OKC area or Tulsa area, the intern can essentially live in that respective city for the entire 6-month internship experience without having to move. Concerning housing, it is the intern’s responsibility to secure housing whether it be in the OKC area, Tulsa area, or other cities in Oklahoma. The internship director or program staff is able to assist the intern with finding housing, but ultimately the final responsibility falls on the intern.

The final rotation module, the elective rotation, is the intern’s choice and can potentially be completed anywhere across the United States.  Interns are responsible for locating their own rotation site and preceptor for this rotation. The Dietetic Internship Director can help facilitate this process in locating a facility and preceptor.  More details concerning the elective rotation will be discussed during orientation week. Please note: not all elective rotation sites can be guaranteed.  Many interns choose to stay in Oklahoma to complete the elective rotation, but some interns choose to go out of state to complete a unique opportunity.

If there are questions concerning the rotation sites, prospective interns are encouraged to contact the program director for more information.

Verification Statement

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a verification statement upon completion of the internship program to indicate completion of supervised practice requirements and establish eligibility to write the registration examination for dietitians. The verification statement is given when program requirements have been fulfilled and the final grade is submitted. The Program Director will provide each graduate with five (5) verification statements. In addition, the internship program files and keeps a copy of the verification statement indefinitely.

Cost

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.

Accreditation

The OUHSC Internship was granted full accreditation in 2019 for 7 years through December 31, 2026 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For additional information on accreditation, please contact:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Website
Email

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: http://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Expected Competence of Graduates

Upon successful completion of the Internship, the Intern receives a Verification Statement which provides the eligibility for application to take the National Registration Exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).  Upon passing the National Registration Exam, the graduate will be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and prepared to function as an entry-level RDN.

The Program also facilitates the process to become a Provisionally Licensed Dietitian in the State of Oklahoma immediately after graduation.

Application Procedure

The OUHSC Dietetic Internship Program accepts up to 15 interns for the “Standalone Dietetic Internship” Program and up to 15 interns for the “Combined Masters of Science with Dietetic Internship” Program.

Information for the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) and D&D Digital Systems including timelines when the application process is open and application deadlines are found on the ACEND website.

Please follow the instructions below to apply:

1. The OUHSC Dietetic Internship Program utilizes the on-line application via the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal.
   • Apply through DICAS and we will review your application\
   • Fee to use DICAS is $50 for first application submitted to a dietetic internship program and $25 for each additional application submitted to other programs
   • DICAS Deadlines:
     • February 15, 2023, by 11:59 pm Central Time
     • Be sure to choose the appropriate designation on DICAS:
       • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Dietetic Internship – Oklahoma City
         Or
       • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Combined Master of Science with Dietetic Internship – Oklahoma City
2. The OUHSC Dietetic Internship participates in the computer matching process through D&D Digital Systems.
   • Applicants must register with D&D Digital Systems
   • The fee for this process is $55
   • D&D Digital Deadlines:
     • February 15, 2023 by 11:59 pm Central Time
   • The OUHSC Code for D&D Digital Systems is 491 during the Spring application cycle
     On match day, individuals selected by the OUHSC Dietetic Internship (through the D&D Digital system) must accept their appointment via an email to the program director within 24 hours at brian-dela-cruz@ouhsc.edu.
3. In addition to completing the DICAS application, applicants must complete the OUHSC application.  Deadline to complete the OUHSC application is the same as the deadline for the DICAS Application.  If the DICAS application is completed but the OUHSC application is not completed (or vice versa), application materials will not be reviewed.  Please be sure to complete both applications to be considered for the OUHSC Dietetic Internship Program. For the OUHSC application, there is no need to resubmit your transcripts to OUHSC because your transcripts are already submitted to us via the DICAS application.”
   
   For those who will apply to the “Standalone Dietetic Internship” Program, the fee to apply is $100 to the College of Allied Health. Follow the instructions below to complete the application.
   • Click the following link and create your account
   • Select the following from the drop-down menus:
     • “To which college are you applying?” – “College of Allied Health”
     • “To which program are you applying?” – “Nutritional Sciences Dietetic Internship”
     • “To which term are you applying?” – Please select the appropriate term for which you are applying

For those who wish to apply to the “Internship with Masters of Science Option”, you have to complete a second application in addition to the one above, but now to the Graduate For those who wish to apply to the “Combined Masters of Science with Dietetic Internship” Program, you will have to complete an application to the College of Allied Health and to the Graduate College.  The application fee to the College of Allied Health is $100 and the application fee to the Graduate College is $125.  So, the cost of applying to the “Combined Masters of Science with Dietetic Internship” is $100 + $125 for a total of $225.  Follow the instructions below to complete the applications:

• Click the following link and create your account
• Select the following from the drop-down menus:
  • “To which college are you applying?” – “College of Allied Health”
  • “To which program are you applying?” – “Nutritional Sciences Dietetic Internship”
  • To which term are you applying?” – Please select the appropriate term for which you are applying
• Click the following link: http://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/
• Select the following from the drop-down menus:
  • “To which college are you applying?” – “Graduate College”
  • “To which program are you applying?” – “M.S. in Nutritional Sciences”
  • “To which term are you applying?” – Please select the appropriate term for which you are applying

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) examination is not required. 

Second Round Matching

In the event that the OUHSC Dietetic Internship Program does not complete its class during the First Round Match Process, our program will participate in the Second Round Match Process. D & D Digital will release our program contact information if our internship program has spots available. Admission through the Second Round Match Process is through a rolling admission basis, meaning applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and offers will be made to qualified applicants. It is to your advantage to submit your DICAS application and complete the OUHSC application as soon as possible to be considered. The Program Director will contact qualified applicants. If an offer is made to an applicant through second round match, the applicant has two (2) business days to accept.

To apply for Second Round Match Process:

Submit your application through DICAS to OUHSC choosing the appropriate designation of your choice:

• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Dietetic Internship – Oklahoma City
• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Dietetic Internship with Master of Science option – Oklahoma City

The GRE examination is not required. Students may choose to remain after the internship and complete the additional 28 hours of coursework to earn the Master of Science degree after they have earned the internship certificate. However, they are not obligated to finish the master’s degree at OUHSC.

The Selection Process & Characteristics of Successful Interns

The Selection Process

Applicants who meet the admission requirements are scored based on the following:

• Cumulative GPA;
• Science GPA (all attempted science hours);
• Nutrition/dietetics GPA (all attempted hours);
• Career goal statement (to be completed on-line through the Dietetic Internship Central Application Services or DICAS);
• Current and past work and volunteer experience;
• Recommendations;
• Interview conducted via video conference; and
• Final rankings are based on compilation and ranking of scores.

We are approved to accept 30 interns per year (15 interns for the standalone Dietetic Internship and 15 interns for the combined Masters of Science with Dietetic Internship). The selection process is based on the National Matching System. The National Matching System is managed by:

D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515-292-0490)

What type of intern will be successful in our program?

• We desire intelligent interns with a strong academic record.
• Successful interns are those who work well independently.
• We do not expect interns to come to the program with extensive work experience in food and nutrition; however, strong applicants will have some work and/or volunteer experience in food and nutrition.
• Applicants to this program should be adaptable and willing to go to diverse rotation sites anywhere in the state. Interns are likely to be placed in smaller cities such as Muskogee, Altus, Ada, or Duncan in addition to Oklahoma City, Norman, or Tulsa. A car is required as public transportation is not available for most rotations, and length of travel makes bicycling impractical or impossible.

Internship Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Coursework
NS 7426	Dietetic Internship	6
or NS 5426	Dietetic Internship
Rotation Modules
Food service/management rotation (nine weeks)
Community rotation (nine weeks)
Clinical rotation (nine weeks)
Elective rotation (five weeks)
Additional Requirements
Scheduled supervised practice (1,208 clock hours) *

M.S. Curriculum

Upon completion of supervised practice, interns will then complete the M.S. degree portion of the program, which will start in June (summer semester) and will be completed in approximately three semesters.  The following courses are completed towards the M.S. degree: 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NS 5426	Dietetic Internship (curriculum including evidence-based clinical case report)	6
BSE 5163	Biostatistical Methods I (fall or spring)	3
NS 5823	Energy Nutrients (spring)	3
NS 5833	Non-Energy Nutrients (fall)	3
NS 5233	Research Methods (fall)	3
NS 5970	Seminar (fall and spring)	1
NS 5103	Master Project	3
Elective courses (onsite or online)		12
Total Hours		34

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

In order to successfully pass the IP, earn a certificate from the University, and receive a verification statement from the program, the intern must:

• Complete all assignments, projects and evaluations as outlined in the curriculum (or for which they received prior learning credit) at a score of level 3 or greater;
• Pass the final comprehensive competency exam with a score of 70% or better;
• Have exhibited no actions which have resulted in expulsion from a participating facility or organization, or from the Program;
• Have completed the 1200 clock hours of supervised practice as required by ACEND;
• Have returned all borrowed textbooks, keys (if applicable), and materials to the assigned facility or sponsoring institution from which they were borrowed.

Prerequisites

• Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from a ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree provided via Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System portal).
  • Individuals appointed to OUHSC Dietetic Internship will be required to provide an original, signed verification statement.
  • If verification statement is not dated within last five years, applicant should show evidence of continuing education and competence in dietetics-related domain knowledge (e.g. recent enrollment in dietetics-related courses such as a medical nutrition therapy course, employment in dietetics-related field such as diet aid at a hospital).
• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Individuals appointed to OUHSC Dietetic Internship will be required to provide official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Degree must be posted on official transcript.
• GPA ≥ 3.0
  • Cumulative GPA of ≥ 3.0 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken, whether undergraduate or graduate hours. Please note: in calculating GPA from the last 60 hours, the entire semester in which the 60 hours fall is counted. The College of Allied Health does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
• Science GPA ≥ 3.0
• Preference is given to students with grades of B or better in all dietetics courses.
• Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the OUHSC Dietetic Internship program is to provide the best possible supervised practice experience for our students to become competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists and future healthcare leaders. The program prepares students through excellence in teaching, research, service and appropriate supervised practice sites which foster creative activity and innovative lifelong learning to therefore provide exceptional patient care to the public.

Goals and desired outcome measures are to:

Prepare graduates to become competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

• At least 80% of program students in the DI only track complete program/degree requirements within 9 months (150% of the program length).
• At least 80% of program students in the M.S./DI track complete program/degree requirements within 12 months (150% of the program length).
• At least 80% of participants in the ISPP track complete program/degree requirements within 18 months (150% of the program length).
• Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• At least 70% of interns will receive an overall score of ≥3 on the Evaluation of Nutrition Focused Outcomes.
• Eighty percent of program graduates will agree or strongly agree that the program prepared them to succeed in their dietetic career.

Prepare competent graduates to obtain employment in dietetics-related positions.

• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of employers responding to survey will answer “yes” that alumni were prepared for entry-level practice.
• At least 80% of alumni responding to survey will answer they were “satisfied” with the level of preparation the internship program provided in preparing them for entry-level practice.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.