MSU Denver’s Dietetic Internship

The mission of the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship is to prepare culturally aware and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to serve diverse populations through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

The program aims to produce Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) who:

• provide quality service that is culturally sensitive and based on customer expectations and needs
• serve the profession
• engage in life-long learning

Goals and objectives of the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship help interns meet our program mission.

Goal 1: Dietetic internship graduates will successfully meet employment needs as entry-level dietitian nutritionists with diverse clients in a variety of nutrition settings.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 14 months (150% of the program length).
2. Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
3. At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
4. 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%.
5. Ninety percent of employers who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment report “agree” or “strongly agree” regarding the graduate’s knowledge and skill preparation for entry-level practice.
6. At least 80% of graduates who complete the 1-year post graduation survey indicate the program prepared them to work with culturally diverse populations.

Goal 2: Dietetic internship graduates will demonstrate their engagement with life-long learning.

Objective:

1. At least 75% of graduates who complete the 1-year post graduation survey indicate they actively engage in nutrition-related life-long learning (for example, attending professional education events, reading nutrition-related publications, writing blogs, serving in leadership roles for professional associations, taking classes, writing articles, conducting research, giving presentations, etc.)

The mission, goals, and objectives are monitored annually for program effectiveness. Program outcomes data are available on request. See the “Contact Us” section of the website for contact information.

Number of Weeks: 1

Every other Monday all interns come together at MSU Denver for a skill development seminar (Monday seminar). The purpose of Monday seminar is for interns to gain knowledge and skills related to competencies, hear presentations, give presentations related to their rotations, go on field trips, and prepare for the RDN exam. Monday seminar will also provide the opportunity for interns to check-in with the internship director, and to connect with and support each other.

Number of Weeks: 4

MNT in a hospital, working with lower-acuity patients.

Number of Weeks: 6

MNT in hospital, working with higher acuity patients.

Number of Weeks: 2

Interns will work in a long-term care facility.

Number of Weeks: 6

Interns will work in a community health nutrition / food insecurity facility.

Number of Weeks: 6

Number of Weeks: 6

Most interns will work within a school system on various management and child-nutrition projects, including farm-to-table programs.

Number of Weeks: 2

Interns will work in coordination with the internship director to select an area of interest.

Number of Weeks: 4

Each intern receives four weeks of vacation during the program. The exact four weeks are determined by the rotation schedule, which varies across interns. Individual requests cannot be honored. No other vacation time is included, nor allowed, during the internship. Interns are expected to work holidays (except Christmas and New Years weeks) and occasionally evenings during their rotations. The MSU Denver Events and Calendars website lists the current academic calendar: https://www.msudenver.edu/events/academic/.  Contact the Dietetic Internship Program Director for exact internship program dates.

MSU Denver’s Dietetic Internship program values diversity. Our definition of diversity recognizes and respects dietetic intern and applicant differences in culture, ethnicity, age, gender, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, politics, and socioeconomic characteristics. Throughout the recruitment and admissions process, we will employ every means to eliminate discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity and expression, age or status, such as Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. In accordance with the university, MSU Denver’s Dietetic Internship complies with all federal laws, executive orders and regulations regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity, as well as all civil rights laws of the state of Colorado.

All prospective interns with a Graduate Degree are encouraged to apply to the program.

Program acceptance requires the following:

• Completed Graduate Degree from a regionally accredited university prior to the start of the dietetic internship
• minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• minimum 3.0 GPA in Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework
• DPD verification statement

The preselect option is an early application process only available to MSU Denver students and alumni. Those eligible to apply through Preselect include current and former students of MSU Denver with either an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from MSU Denver and graduate degree from another institution, a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) certification from MSU Denver, or graduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from MSU Denver. Preselect applicants who are accepted into the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship can skip application to DICAS and D & D Digital. Preselect priority is available for up to 12 positions of the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship. For eligibility, the following criteria must be met:

1. Successful completion of a minimum of a Graduate degree from a US regionally-accredited college or university or foreign equivalent as evidenced by an official transcript indicating an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from MSU Denver and graduate degree from another institution, or graduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from MSU Denver. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous colleges/universities in a signed, sealed envelope or sent electronically to MSU Denver prior to the internship start date.  The degree must be conferred prior to the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship start date. Foreign transcripts must have an official English translation done by a certified translator, if applicable, and a professional, course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. Graduate degree.
2. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
3. Successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, as evidenced by an original Verification Statement signed by the Program Director. The DPD Verification Statement must be obtained and received by the Internship Director prior to the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship start date.
4. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in DPD coursework.
5. Able to pass a background check, drug screen and show proof of required immunizations, health insurance and professional liability insurance.

Preselect application dates, deadlines, and procedures

DO NOT upload your application packet to DICAS. All application materials must be combined into a single PDF and sent to: [email protected]

Preselect Timeline

Applications due: Friday, January 5^th, 2024, by 11:59 pm MST

Applicants may be contacted to schedule an interview with the selection committee between January 6^th and January 18^th.

Applicants selected & notified: Thursday, January 18^th 2024

Applicants confirm and send signed acceptance letter: Friday, January 19^th, 2024, by 5:00pm MST

Required components of your application packet:

1. Signed Early Admission Pre Selection Checklist (this will be your cover page)
2. Declaration of intent to complete degree form submitted by the program director of the Didactic Program Director in Dietetics or DPD Verification Statement from MSU Denver
3. Personal statement- In 1,000 words or less, please address the following:
   1. Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
   2. Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career.
   3. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
   4. What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
   5. What other information do you consider important for the selection decision?
4. Resume
   1. Please include dates and total hours and hours worked per week on all professional and volunteer experiences within your resume.
   2. For example, MSU Denver Student Volunteer, August 1, 2023- January 1, 2024. 6 hours total volunteer experience.
5. Unofficial transcripts
6. 3 letters of reference
   1. All letters of reference must be sent directly from the reference to [email protected]

Application Fee Waiver

Graduate programs at MSU Denver have received a one-time application fee waiver effective October 1, 2023 thru October 1, 2024. There is no application fee to apply to early admission Preselect directly to MSU Denver’s Dietetic Internship.

Selected applicants

All applicants accepted into the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship program through early admission Preselect will be notified no later than Thursday, January 18, 2024, via email. All accepted applications are contingent upon final transcripts, conferred master’s degree, and signed verification statement. MSU Denver is required to email D&D Digital those applicants selected thereby removing them from the match process. Applicants will be required to sign a letter of acceptance confirming acceptance into the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship program. This signature confirms that the applicant will not accept any other dietetic internship offers.

Non-selected applicants

Non-selected applicants will be notified by Monday, January 21^st, 2024 so they can participate in applying to dietetic internships through DICAS and the D&D computer match.

If all 12 dietetic internship positions are not filled through the early admission, MSU Denver will participate in the regular admissions process through DICAS. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply for the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship, should positions be available.

Candidates for admission to the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship program must meet the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of a minimum of a Graduate degree from a US regionally-accredited college or university or foreign equivalent as evidenced by an official transcript. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous colleges/universities in a signed, sealed envelope or sent electronically to MSU Denver prior to the internship start date.  The degree must be conferred prior to the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship start date. Foreign transcripts must have an official English translation done by a certified translator, if applicable, and a professional, course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. Graduate degree.
2. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
3. Successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, as evidenced by an original Verification Statement signed by the Program Director. The DPD Verification Statement must be obtained and received by the Internship Director prior to the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship start date.
4. A minimum 3.0 GPA in DPD coursework.
5. Submission of a completed application for the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship following the specific directions in part D, below the “Dietetic Internship Application” section of the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship website page titled “Admission Requirements and Application Process.”  This step is done after acceptance into the MSU Denver dietetic internship program.
6. Able to pass a background check, drug screen and show proof of required immunizations, health insurance and professional liability insurance.

Only complete applications will be reviewed. All applications meeting the admission criteria and/or viewed as competitive will be reviewed by the Dietetic Internship director and Applicant Review Committee and ranked according to standardized criteria. Top applicants will be contacted for face-to-face or remote (via video conferencing) interviews. The interviews are an opportunity for applicants to share additional information about their qualifications, demonstrate their critical thinking skills, and learn more about the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship.  After thorough discussions of competitive applicants, the Applicant Review Committee will rank candidates for the matching process.

DICAS Application Fee

Graduate programs at MSU Denver have received a one-time application fee waiver effective October 1, 2023 thru October 1, 2024. There is no fee to apply to MSU Denver’s application, however applicants must pay all DICAS fees.

• Dietetic interns must successfully complete all rotation, assignment, attendance and behavior requirements and must follow all policies and procedures associated with the internship to graduate from the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship. This includes earning a “Satisfactory” rating from preceptors on all rotation learning activities/projects associated with the ACEND-required competencies. All graduation requirements must be completed within 33 weeks, excluding situations of an approved leave of absence.
• If the intern successfully completes the program, the internship director will provide the intern with a signed Verification Statement at the conclusion of the last day of the internship. The internship director will enter interns into the Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) as eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. This will enable graduates to take the registration examination.

The MSU Denver Dietetic Internship has the following program costs.

• $16,093 for in-state tuition ($14,400) and fees ($1,693)
• $18,709 for out-of-state tuition ($17,016) and fees ($1,693)
• $250 for books and supplies

The above includes costs for the entire program, assuming normal time to completion. This information is subject to change.

Note: Some meals may be provided during rotations.

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership (required): $50
• Professional liability insurance (purchase through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics): $50
• Professional meetings: $150
• Housing: $7,000 – $10,000
• Health insurance: Interns must provide proof of insurance.
• Transportation:
  • Interns will be expected to drive to and from sites or use public transportation on a daily basis. A car, auto insurance and gas must be provided by the intern.
• Compliance management services to manage background checks, drug screen and immunizations records: $130

Note: Due to the demands of this full time program, it is strongly recommended that you do not work during the internship.

You may be eligible to receive financial aid loans for the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship.  Please contact the MSU Denver Financial Aid Office to learn more about financial aid at: https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/graduate/.

If you are accepted into the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship, prior to completing the FAFSA application please contact the program director to get instructions for completing specific parts of the application.

MSU Denver dietetic interns should inquire about loan deferment with the lending institution for their specific loans.

Dietetic Internship Policy and Procedure Manual

Complete an ACEND accredited DPD program and obtain a bachelor’s degree* Please note:  MSU Denver’s Dietetic Internship now requires a Masters Degree for program eligibility.

*Effective January 1, 2024, the CDR will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a RDN. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Apply for and complete an ACEND accredited program

• • Dietetic Internship or
  • Individual Supervised Practice Pathway

Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)***

***The MSU Denver Dietetic Internship meets the supervised practice experience required to take the Commission on Dietetics Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

Yes, financial aid is available to interns participating in the Dietetic Internship. Interns should contact the MSU Denver Financial Aid Office. https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/

Interns enrolled in the Dietetic Internship must abide by all professional standards and polices outlined within the Dietetic Internship Handbook. In addition, interns must pass drug screening and criminal background checks. The program has a zero tolerance for all illegal drugs, including marijuana, even though recreational marijuana is considered legal in Colorado. Random drug screenings may be requested by the Dietetic Internship director or preceptors. More information can be found in the Dietetic Internship Policy and Procedural Manual.

MSU Denver requires that all incoming interns have:

• measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or evidence of titers
• Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine or evidence of titers
• Tdap vaccine/booster within the past 10 years
• varicella vaccinations or positive antibody titer
• TB test (Mantoux)
• flu shot
• COVID-19

More information can be found within the Dietetic Internship Policy and Procedure Manual.