Dietetic Internship Certificate

Hilary Roberts, Graduate Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Room 407
Phone: 417-836-8884
HRoberts@MissouriState.edu

Program Accreditation

The Missouri State University Dietetic Internship Certificate Program has been granted Full Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic technicians, registered. ACEND serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. Programs meeting those standards are accredited by ACEND.

Program Goals

1. Program graduates will be competent for practice as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
2. Program graduates will demonstrate life-long learning skills which will enhance the dietetic profession and demonstrate leadership in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Admission Requirements

1. Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a “Verification Statement” or “Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree” and/or ACEND-approved “Minimum Academic Requirements” within five years of application.
2. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken.
4. Completed application form.
5. A personal philosophy statement addressing the applicant’s professional career goals and how the DI program will help accomplish these goals, in addition to discussing the applicant’s strengths and areas of improvement.
6. Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL website is http://www.toefl.org.
7. Three written recommendations received with the application must be without significant reservations/concern.
   1. Dietetic academic reference
   2. Work or volunteer reference
   3. Final reference is the applicant’s choice
8. Resume which includes:
   1. Work experience in dietetics, including paid and volunteered work
   2. Involvement in college and/or community activities
9. After the application period closes, the selection committee will review all of the applications and select students for a virtual interview.
10. Following admission to the Missouri State DI, interns will be admitted to the Graduate College and the application fee will be waived.

Upon acceptance to the DI, additional requirements include:

1. Meet technical standards of the program in order to successfully undertake the course of study including evidence of good health. These standards are available upon request from the program.
2. Evidence of immunization or vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases to include MMR, tetanus, TB test, Hepatitis A, and a complete Hepatitis B series including a titer demonstrating immunity. Other vaccinations may be required such as a seasonal flu vaccine.
3. Evidence of professional liability and health insurance, including hospitalization.
4. Provide documentation of negative tuberculosis status or evidence of appropriate follow-up.
5. Hold and maintain infant, child and adult CPR certification valid throughout the DI.
6. Hold ServSafe Certification valid throughout the DI.
7. Interns must have reliable transportation and provide evidence of vehicle liability insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the State of Missouri.
8. Student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
9. Interns must enroll on a full-time basis and progress through the program as a cohort group.
10. Submit a drug screening test and criminal record check* and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 324.217 or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered dietitian.

*Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine.

Program Retention and Completion Requirements

1. Interns must satisfactorily complete all assignments and experiences for each internship rotation. Satisfactory completion will be based on performance appraisal which meets standards identified in appraisal rating criteria.
2. Assignments or experiences which were not satisfactorily completed must be corrected or repeated. No more than one graduate course may be repeated.
3. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 3 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of “B”, and no hours of graduate work below a grade of “C”.
4. Receive average (3) or higher rating on all performance evaluations and earn 80% or higher on all coursework that assess the required competencies as set forth by ACEND.
5. Students must successfully complete all rotations and all course work in order to receive the verification statement and graduate certificate of completion.
6. All work must be completed and competencies met within 150% (13.5 months) of the time planned for completion.