MS / Dietetic Internship
Our Mission
Prepare caring and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who collaborate with other health professionals through coursework and a supervised practice experience that exceeds the performance standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Discounted Tuition for Residents of Western States
Two programs provide in-state tuition for residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming:
- Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)
- Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTW)
To apply for these discounted tuition programs, contact the ISU Graduate School.
Note: To qualify, students must fulfill all the usual requirements of the department and institution concerned, and meet all admission deadlines. Students need not demonstrate financial need.
Why ISU? Highlights of the Master of Science / Dietetic Internship Program |
|
Master of Science |
|
Internship Components |
|
Number of Positions |
|
Selection Process |
|
Internship Length |
|
Weekly Time Requirement |
|
Graduation and Program Completion |
|
Master of Science / Dietetic Internship
The Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) Program provides a combined graduate degree and supervised experience in clinical, community, and administrative dietetics. After completion of a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice and required graduate coursework, as well as the fulfillment of other program requirements, MS/DI graduates are eligible to receive a verification statement and take the national registration exam for dietitians.
All applicants to the combined ISU MS/DI program must apply for both the Dietetic Internship and Master in Nutrition. Thus, applications must be submitted through both DICAS and the ISU Graduate School. No exceptions will be made.
Currently, 18 seats are offered on two ISU campuses (Pocatello/Twin Falls and Meridian). Interns complete over 1,000 hours of supervised practice in many healthcare and community settings.
The MS/DI is a full-time, 16-month, four-semester program (fall, spring, summer, and fall). Students rotate through the program with an established group of other MS/DI candidates. During their first fall semester, MS/DI students focus on coursework. In the remaining three semesters, students engage in a combination of practicum rotations and graduate coursework.
The Master's coursework is offered in a hybrid model. Classes are 100% online. Some require students to go to a distance learning classroom; others offer remote access via video conferencing software. In addition, some classes are self-directed, requiring students to work autonomously. Online courses require students to have the following supported technologies: reliable computer; reliable Internet connection (Broadband connection highly recommended); web browser (Mozilla Firefox highly recommended); soundcard with microphone and headphones (a headset with microphone/headphones is highly recommended); webcam (optional in some courses, but required for online proctoring); additional software may be required by your instructor (e.g. Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, etc.).
The practicum part of the program provides approximately 1,240 hours of "hands-on" educational experience. Interns can expect to spend 40 hours per week in rotations, with additional time required for completion of practicum assignments, coursework, and some travel opportunities. Each intern must complete the DI by the end of 16 months scheduled over the academic year.
The MS/DI program is fast-paced with all required supervised practice hours, coursework and other learning activities designed to be completed within the specified time frame. In extreme circumstances which might include medical emergency or the need for educational remediation, an intern’s individual learning time frame may be extended beyond the 16 months up to 24 months (150% of original 16-month plan). Decisions to extend an MS/DI student's time are made on an individual basis by the program director with input from the student’s advisor, instructors, and preceptors.
Program Eligibility and Admission
- Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, or related field AND have earned a verification statement by completing the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements as established by ACEND of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- A minimum DPD grade point average of 3.00 is required for admission.
The ISU MS/DI program has eight seats in Pocatello, two seats in Twin Falls, and eight seats in Meridian. We participate in the spring match and the Twin Falls seats are included with Pocatello in D&D Digital for a total of 10 seats available. Meridian's eight seats are matched separately in D&D Digital. Applicants can apply to Pocatello/Twin Falls only, Meridian only, or both.
The Graduate School application is separate from the DICAS application and an offer of admission into the Graduate School does not indicate a guaranteed match to the internship. Matched students will indicate acceptance of admission to the graduate program after match day in April.
At ISU We Pride Ourselves in Training the Next Generation of RDNs | |
---|---|
Goal 1 | Goal 2 Prepare program graduates to be caring registered dietitian nutritionists who promote collaboration within their practice setting |
Goal 1 Objectives:
|
Goal 2 Objectives:
|
Total Dietetic Internship Experience = 1,240 TOTAL HOURS
Pocatello/Twin Falls Campuses: Rotation Sites | |
---|---|
Food Service Management Idaho Falls Senior Center |
Clinical Nutrition Eastern Idaho Medical Center (Idaho Falls) |
Long Term Care State Hospital South Long Term Care (Blackfoot) Various health care facilities (Pocatello) Various health care facilities (Twin Falls)
|
Community Nutrition Eastern Idaho Public Health - WIC (Idaho Falls) Southeastern Idaho Public Health - WIC (Pocatello) Idaho Kidney Center (Pocatello/Idaho Falls) Mountain View Hospital Oncology (Idaho Falls) Portneuf Medical Cancer Center (Pocatello) Rocky Mountain Diabetes Center (Idaho Falls) DaVita Kidney Care (Twin Falls) Idaho Kidney Center (Twin Falls) South Central Public Health - WIC (Twin Falls) St Luke's Diabetes Education (Twin Falls) St. Luke's Tumor Institute (Twin Falls) |
Meridian/Treasure Valley Campus: Rotation Sites |
|
Food Service Management Create Common Good (Boise) St Luke's Regional Medical Center (Boise) Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (Boise)
|
Clinical Nutrition
St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (Boise) St Luke's Nampa Medical Center St. Luke's Regional Medical Center (Boise) Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (Boise) |
Community Nutrition Boise State University (Boise) Central District Health (Boise) DaVita Kidney Care (various Treasure Valley locations) Idaho Nutrition Associates (Boise) Southwest District Health (Caldwell) St. Alphonsus Diabetes Care & Education (Boise/Meridian) St Alphonsus Outpatient Services (Boise) St Luke's Humphries Diabetes Center (Boise/Meridian) St. Luke's Cancer Institute (Boise/Meridian) |
Long Term Care Aspen Transitional Rehabilitation (Meridian)
Idaho State Veterans Home (Boise)
Skyline Transitional Care Center (Boise)
|
The MS/DI in Nutrition is 36 credits with the supervised practice rotations contributing 9 credits. Transfer credits may be awarded for the electives (maximum 8 credits), but not core courses. Advisor approval is required. Students should follow the graduate school policy and form for transfer credit requests.
Online courses require students to have the following supported technologies:
- Reliable computer
- Reliable Internet connection (Broadband connection highly recommended)
- Web browser (Mozilla Firefox highly recommended)
- Soundcard with microphone and headphones (A headset with microphone/headphones is highly recommended)
- Webcam (optional in some courses, but required for online proctoring)
- Additional software may be required by your instructor (e.g. Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, etc.)
Masters of Science in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship (Public Health Emphasis) |
||
Course Number |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
NTD 6609 |
Seminar for Dietetic Interns: Held the week before classes start, this is a one week course scheduled Monday-Friday for 8 hours per day. All Dietetic Interns must travel to Pocatello to attend this required course in-person. |
2 |
NTD 6610 |
Current Topics in Nutrition |
1 |
NTD 6620 |
Nutritional Epidemiology |
3 |
NTD 6622 |
Maternal, Infant and Child Nutrition |
3 |
NTD 6624 |
Nutrition and Aging |
3 |
NTD 6640 |
Research, Writing and Grantsmanship |
3 |
NTD 6645 |
Capstone Project I |
1-3 |
NTD 6650 |
Capstone Project II |
1-3 |
NTD 6655 |
Dietetic Internship Practicum I (Supervised Practice Rotations |
3 |
NTD 6656 |
Dietetic Internship Practicum II |
3 |
NTD 6657 |
Dietetic Internship Practicum III |
3 |
MPH 6660 |
Health Behavior Change Theory and Application |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
33 |
The culminating activity for the MS Nutrition is a Capstone Project.
Capstone Project: A scholarly activity, requiring students to write, present and defend their project that may include a range of activities such as:
- Grant writing and submission
- Analysis of a current data set and preparation of a manuscript
- Development and execution of a small research study leading to the submission of a presentation abstract as determined appropriate by the advising faculty member and student
The table below lists the estimated fees of the MS/DI program expenses (actual costs may vary). Many students apply for financial aid and scholarships to help with these costs.
Housing
Students placed in Pocatello may choose to live on campus or in a variety of off-campus sites. In Boise and Twin Falls, no university housing is available.
Transportation
Each student should have his or her own car or, at least, access to one during the practicum part of the program. Some rotation sites are up to fifty miles away (e.g. Pocatello to Idaho Falls).
Liability for safety in travel to and from assigned rotation sites will rest on the individual MS/DI student. In no way do Dietetic Programs or Idaho State University assume liability for students for safety in travel to and from assigned rotation sites.
Estimated Program Costs |
|
ITEM |
FEE |
ISU Graduate School Application (fee for Grad School and fee for program application combined) |
$120 |
Tuition and Fees |
|
Dietetic Internship Fee |
$3,414(subject to change)** |
Shoes (flat, rubber sole) |
$40-$80 |
Books and Supplies |
$200-$400 |
Malpractice Insurance |
$5 per semester |
Health Insurance |
proof required |
Academy Student Membership |
$58 |
Health Screen, Drug Panel Test(s), Immunizations and background checks |
$150-250 |
American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers |
$59 |
Meetings (ID Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pocatello Dietetic Association) |
variable |
Transportation |
variable |
Laptop |
~$600 |
Internet service |
~$50/month |
Additional Costs |
|
ISU school year general lot parking permit (optional) |
$100 |
RDN Review Course |
~$170 |
Graduation application fee |
$20 |
Typhon Group Student Account |
$90 |
MyClinicalExchange Subscription |
$40 |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Idaho State Board of Education.
**Student fees are charged only during the practicum portion of the MS/DI program (Spring, Summer and final Fall semesters). Fees are made in three payments, $1,089 is due during each of these three practicum semesters.
Idaho State University’s
Dietetic Internship is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext 5400
http://www.eatright.org