Dietetics M.S. with Dietetic Internship

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Coordinator: Teresa Buckner, Ph.D., R.D.N.

Email: [e-mail]

Location: Gunter 2590

Telephone: [phone]

Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/nutrition-dietetics/

The Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship program is an online/distance format, designed to prepare students for successful completion of the Registered Dietitian Examination as well as entry-level practice. All coursework is completed online, and supervised practice/internship hours are completed in person at approved sites located where the student resides, within the U.S., its territories, or U.S. military bases. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

There are two distinct pathways/timelines, both with a Fall start date:

• 1) The accelerated pathway is two years. This path will start distance internship rotations the first summer, which will allow you to complete your coursework and rotations in 2 years. This pathway does not require a capstone project, only a departmental comprehensive examination.
• 2) The traditional pathway is three years in duration with all distance internship rotation beginning after 2 years of MS coursework. This pathway provides the flexibility for individuals to work while completing coursework and offers the option to complete a capstone project OR a departmental comprehensive examination.

The curriculum of 41 credits (31 MS coursework + 10 DI) supports the development of skills related to being a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and provides hands-on learning opportunities in supervised practice settings. Through their coursework, students will develop critical thinking and leadership skills that will support their future work and development as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. This program assumes an undergraduate background in Nutrition and Dietetics and completion of the Didactic Courses in Dietetics.

Areas emphasized include: nutrient metabolism, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling methods, nutrition communication, public health nutrition and research methods. Career opportunities include registered dietitian nutritionist positions in hospitals, clinics, public health departments, government agencies, research settings industry and schools.

The required comprehensive examination for the Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship will be satisfied by successful completion of a departmental comprehensive examination OR a capstone project that provides students the opportunity to complete and in-depth study of an area of evidence-based research/practice, write a comprehensive paper and present the project results.

Graduation Requirements:

• Attendance of the UNC DI online internship orientation
• Successful completion of the Master of Science degree in Dietetics coursework
• Successful completion of all DI coursework
• Complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice
• Successfully complete all competencies (score of 3 or higher)
• Uphold the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice
• Completion of an exit survey

*Please note the MS degree will only be awarded after completion of the entire program, including graduate coursework and the internship.

 

Admission

Admission

Location: All coursework is completed online, supervised practice/internship hours are completed in person at approved sites located where the student resides, within the U.S., its territories, or U.S. military bases.

Start Term: Fall

General Master's Degree Admission Requirements

Admission Deadline

General admission

• Applications due in DICAS by Feb. 1*
• Notification Date: March 1
• Applicant Decision Day: March 15

*The program reserves the right to extend the DICAS application deadline, and any such extension will be communicated to applicants actively in the process of applying through DICAS. However, an extension is not anticipated, and applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials by the February 1 deadline.

UNC MSDI Early Admission (Available to UNC students and alumni)

• Early admission allows qualified applicants to bypass the DICAS system and receive their acceptance notification earlier than our general admission candidates. Please email [e-mail] for instructions on how to apply for early admission.
• Applications must be sent to [e-mail] by 5 p.m. Mountain time on Dec. 15.
• Early Admission Applicants will be notified of admission decision by mid-January. Applicants are required to notify the program via email of their decision to accept or deny their position by March 15.

All acceptances are contingent upon final transcripts with DPD grades, DPD Verification Statement and confirmed degree.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of an approved / accredited undergraduate program resulting in a Baccalaureate degree from a U.S. Institutionally Accredited college/university or a foreign degree equivalent to at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree.
• Verification of Completion form or Intent to Complete form signed by DPD Program Director of college/university where dietetics courses were taken.
• 3.0 on a 4.0 scale Grade Point Average (GPA) for all Undergraduate and Graduate courses combined. Exceptions may be considered by the review committee.
  • *Mandatory essay question if GPA is equal to or below a 3.0 - in fewer than 300 words write an explanation of factors that contributed to the GPA and how you changed the way you approached your courses or the resources you utilized.

Technology Requirements

• E-mail address that is active throughout the program, as well as reliable internet access, reliable computer, and webcam with video and microphone.
• A quiet, private place to participate in remote student hours and learning activities.
• Please see Tech Requirements for a complete list.
• Ability to download and use Honor Lock, a Chrome extension.

Application Process

To apply, all applicants, except early admission applicants, must complete an online application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal. Applicants submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended, a personal statement and 3 letters of reference, directly to DICAS.

The program reviews applications on a rolling basis. Only complete applications will be reviewed. After review, applicants will either be invited for a virtual interview or notified of denial. Applicants who submit their materials prior to the February 1 deadline may receive a decision at any time before the deadline. Additional requirements for MSDI: The UNC Graduate School requires additional documentation to be recognized as a graduate student. Instructions will be provided after your DICAS application has been reviewed. Please send questions to [e-mail].

For More Information

For more information about the admission process to the graduate program, please email the Office of Admissions at [e-mail] or call 970-351-2881. For information about the dietetic internship, please contact [e-mail].

Degree Requirements — 41 Credits

Required Major Credits — 19 credits

FND 530	Nutrition Assessment and Intervention Methods	3
FND 570	Nutrition Counseling Methods	3
FND 551	Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism - Macronutrients	3
FND 553	Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism - Micronutrients	3
FND 615	Communication of Current Topics in Nutrition and Dietetics	3
FND 600	Dietetic Internship Seminar	1
FND 652	Public Health Nutrition	3

Select one of the following research methods courses — 3 credits

SES 602	Introduction to Research in Sport and Exercise Science	3
SRM 600	Introduction to Graduate Research	3

Elective Credits — Choose 9 credits from the list below

Alternate electives, including FND 622 - Directed Study, may be selected with advisor approval prior to registration for the course.

FND 622	Directed Study	1- 3
FND 625	Advanced Maternal and Child Nutrition	3
FND 630	Sustainability, Food Systems, and Nutrition	3
FND 655	Sports Nutrition	3

Supervised Practice Practicum — 10 credits

FND 692

Dietetics Supervised Practice

1-10

FND 692: Hours required for each semester will be determined by the Dietetic Internship Director and Staff Specialist. Must register and complete a total of 10 hours.

Program Notes

The Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606 (800-877-1600). With successful completion of the Dietetics M.S. with Dietetic Internship, the graduate is eligible to take the registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Potential applicants are required to submit an application to Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) in addition to submitting an application to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado. Admission to the MS program or DI does not guarantee admission to the other portion of the program.

The required comprehensive examination will be satisfied by successful completion of a professional paper about your capstone project during the capstone course, or by successfully passing a departmental comprehensive exam. For those enrolled in the MSDI program, the MS degree is granted following completion of MS courses and the DI.

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