How to Apply for the Dietetic Internship

Admission Requirements

Application to the University of Dayton Master’s in Dietetics and Nutrition Program (MDN) and Premier Health Dietetic Internship (PDI) is open to students entering their final year of study or previous completion in an ACEND accredited undergraduate didactic program in dietetics. Applicants must be accepted by both the MDN and PDI programs to be offered an acceptance letter to the MDN/PDI program.

We accept applications in the fall and winter (if positions remain) admission periods, which provides the benefits of eligibility for graduate assistant positions, early coursework options, and early notification for planning for the online UD classes beginning in May with in person classes in August.

Application Timelines

Application Timeline (Senior Year)

Fall Cycle

Winter Cycle

(if positions remain)

Complete DICAS Application with specifics for Premier Health Dietetic Internship

Anytime after August 5

Anytime after August 5

Application Review Begins

September 15

January 15

Application Deadline

October 1

February 1

Optional Interviews (Schedule with Program Director)

October

February

Universal Notification to Students Required Deadline

November 1

March 1

Replies Accepted from Students

Anytime

Anytime

Universal Replies from Students Required Deadline

November 15

March 15

Non-Refundable Deposit to PDI ($1,000)

November 30

March 30

Final Non-Refundable Payment to PDI ($1,000)

The Following December

Second Round Open, if positions remain

November 16

NA

Second Round Deadline

Dec 1

Second Round Notification

Dec 15

Second Round Acceptance and Deposit

Dec 30

 

Important Note: Applicants must be able to matriculate into the graduate program by June 1 in order to complete the summer of online graduate courses required for this program. This requires the student to graduate in May and to receive the signed verification statement from their DPD Director with a signed date no later than May 30, prior to beginning the program .

Admission Minimum Qualifications to Apply

  • GPA: minimum 3.0 overall GPA
  • Science GPA: 2.5 minimum
  • Professional Dietetics GPA: 3.0 minimum

Work Experience

Evidence of 200-hours minimum nutrition-related work experience (up to 100 hours can be documented as nutrition related, non-paid experience with significant contributions).

Service to the Profession

Examples: Actively participates as a member of the Student Dietetic Association (SDA), has an executive position on SDA, serves the undergraduate dietetics program as a research or teaching assistant, works on other projects that support the mission and goals of the undergraduate dietetics program, leads/participates in a nutrition related project that impacts the community or fellow dietetic students.

Leadership Experience

Examples: Executive position in a university or community organization, job with high level of trust and responsibility assigned to position, mentor in any setting, leadership of groups outside of the classroom setting. 

***Note any experiences required for a course***

Required Documents for the DICAS Application

  1. Intent to Complete or DPD Verification Statement:
    • Either of these forms can be completed by your DPD Director to be uploaded directly to the DICAS Application Portal.
  2. Personal Statement
    • 1000-word limit
    • Address the following: Your interest in dietetics and journey to prepare to successfully complete the internship and practice in the profession of dietetics; your interest in research and master’s classes to support your professional development; strengths and area of growth over the past years of undergraduate study; a goal you would like to accomplish during your time in both graduate school and the dietetic internship; and the alignment of these programs with achievement of your goals.
  3. Resume
    • No more than two pages
    • Specify number of work and volunteer/activity hours
  4. Transcript with clear identification of GPA as total, professional, and science.
  5. Letters of Recommendation (3)
    • Three letters of recommendation are required, one from each of the following: DPD Director, Medical Nutrition Therapy Professor, Work Reference. If two of these are the same person, add an additional reference from your faculty or organizational advisor – do not include a personal friend as a reference
    • References requested/managed by DICAS
  6. Review Professional Image Policy document upon acceptance. Acceptance is attestation to agreeing to uphold this policy.

Optional Interviews

After applying to the program, you can request either an in person or virtual interview, if you choose.  This interview will facilitate mutual understanding to further share the holistic program and your personal goals to identify individualization options with care and support for you!  Your completion of an interview will also give additional points in your application review.

The interview will consist of discussions with 1) the directors of both programs, 2) application review committee members, 3) current or past  interns, as well as a tour of both institutions.  To schedule an interview, please contact either director:

Dr. Jennifer Dalton: jdalton1@udayton.edu
Karyn Catrine: kscatrine@premierhealth.com