Nutrition MS with Dietetic Internship - How to Apply

Academic year 2020-2021

Most students that are interested in attending The University of New Hampshire Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences with Dietetic Internship (MSDI) will utilize the on-line centralized application DICAS system. The MSDI program accepts applicants to its program every year during the February application period. Candidates are chosen by the Selection Committee and notified by D&D Digital Systems in April. 

UNH seniors in the UNH Dietetics option, and recent graduates, (from the class of 2018 or 2019) are encouraged to consider applying using the UNH pre-select option.  When selecting this option, UNH MSDI should be their first choice. There will be a maximum of two students selected through the pre-select option for the 2020-2022 class. Students using this option will be notified by January 15th, 2020 of the status of their application. If they are not accepted to UNH, there is ample time to submit to UNH or other programs using the DICAS system.

The pre-select option is designed for those UNH student candidates who know UNH is their first choice. The UNH Dietetic Internship will notify D & D matching that a student has accepted into UNH, and thus the student will leave the national match database.

For UNH current and recent graduates who prefer to have their application considered by other dietetic internship programs, use the DICAS application process and you will be reviewed as any other applicant. In addition, if a UNH student applies for pre-select and is not chosen given only two students are selected, their application will be reviewed if they submit an application to UNH via the DICAS application process.

The DICAS application provides you with an opportunity to expand upon specific events and experiences that have contributed to your personal and professional development.  Though listed as optional on the DICA application, it is NOT optional when you apply to UNH

Though the matching agency may change the titles for the 2020-2021 class, the current application includes the following four categories:

  1. Honors and Awards
  2. Sports and Extracurricular Activities
  3. Certificates
  4. Work and Volunteer Experiences

If any of the categories do not apply to you, indicate as not applicable and continue to the next one; the review committee will know you considered this category by doing this. 

Proceed until all categories are completed in full, including dates, hours, weeks, etc.  Estimate hours to the best of your abilities.

Submitting a resume is an excellent way to summarize your work, but will not be considered as a substitute for full completion of the application.

Applicants who are graduating the same year they are applying to the internship must have graduated by no later than June 1st.

The GREs are now required for admission to the MSDI progam.  Scores must be completed within the past five years. (UNH GRE Code is: 3918) No minimum GRE score has been established for admission. Please select the option Dietetic/Clin Nutrition Services (0628) as the code for the GRE department.

The MSDI program is available to mature, responsible, and caring individuals who have successfully met the undergraduate Didactic Program and Dietetics (DPD) requirements as established by ACEND.  They have earned at least a bachelor degree and are eligible for a verification statement from an accredited dietetics program.  Students interested in applying to our program must be able to work independently or as a member of a team and approach learning with enthusiasm and dedication.

  • Visit the DICAS web site: The on-line application must be completed for The University of New Hampshire program by February 15, 2020.  Follow all directions as stipulated in the DICAS application process. As specified in the DICAS application, each student is expected to submit a personal statement, official transcripts, Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent, and three letters of recommendation.
    The fee to use DICAS is $45 for the first application submitted and $20 for each additional application.
  • Visit the D&D Digital Systems web site: Select your dietetic internship priority choices by February 15, 2020. The material should be postmarked no later than the date specified by D&D Digital for consideration by the Selection Committee.

There is a single $50.00 fee for this computer matching, no matter how many dietetic internships you apply for. 
You may rank order your preferences on-line or submit your selections via traditional mail. The address for D&D Digital Systems is Suite 301, 304 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010, (515) 292-0490.

The matching selection will be announced by the annual D&D Digital Company, which works with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in establishing the announcement date.

  • Participants will be selected based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, work experience, civic and/or college activities and the letter of application. A minimum overall GPA of 3.2, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Nutrition/Dietetic focused courses is required (the current intern class has an average overall GPA of 3.39). Experience in health care or food service is preferred. The letter of application is an important component; grammar, conciseness, and ability to communicate are considered. Students who have demonstrated leadership skills either on campus or in the community are sought; this may include participation in professional organizations, residence hall management programs, or civic organizations as examples.
  • Although not required, in-person or phone interviews with the Internship Staff may be requested by potential candidates. Phone interviews are not routinely conducted.  Occasionally, we will contact students to clarify a piece of information in their application.
  • Recency of Education - Applicants not meeting this requirement must complete recency of education requirements as determined by the UNH Dietetic Internship Selection Committee. (Contact Joanne Burke at joanne.burke@unh.edu or (603) 862-1456 for more information regarding course requirements.)

All applications are evaluated by the Selection Committee which is composed of faculty members from the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems and community nutrition professionals.  A point system is used to consider the following criteria:

Criteria Points

Grades

   200

GRE

     10

Experience

  200

Letter of Application

     50

Demonstrated Leadership Skills

     50

Recommendations

   200

Additional Information for Potential Applicants

Applying to the Graduate School
At this time, please do not apply to the Graduate School when applying for the MSDI option.  If matched, additional guidance will be provided regarding forms needed for the Graduate School.

Medical and vaccinations requirements
Satisfactory completion of the physical examination and verification of immunizations are required after acceptance into the program, to meet internship placement site requirements.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening
Final admission to the UNH Dietetic Internship is dependent upon completing a criminal background check and a 15-panel drug screening.  

A 10-panel with expanded opiates drug screening test (Amphetamine/methamphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, benocyclidine /phencyclidine, propoxyphene, codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone) is required by many of our precepting sites. Interns must complete the 10-panel drug screening test, SPECIFICALLY REQUESTING THE ABOVE LISTED DRUGS with the care provider of their choice and have the results sent to the Internship.  Please have this completed during your physical exam.  

Interns are responsible for the cost of the background check and the drug screening test. Given that some drug screenings and background checks expire within a three to six-month time span and that some practicum sites require their facility to oversee the screening process, interns should anticipate multiple drugs and background reviews. 

If the criminal background check or the drug screening test reveals questionable information, an intern may be denied direct patient/client access in precepting facilities. This will result in unsuccessful completion of the program. A current intern who is not able to pass any additional background check or drug tests will be dismissed from the program and tuition will not be refunded.

The MSDI program will not discriminate in granting access to any of its programs or activities.

Contact Information

Joanne Burke, PhD, RD, LD
Director
University of New Hampshire
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems
129 Main Street, Kendall Hall
Durham, N.H. 03824
Joanne.Burke@unh.edu

Lisa Corman, RD, LD
Assistant Director
University of New Hampshire
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
129 Main Street, Kendall Hall
Durham, NH 03824
lisa.corman@unh.edu

Celeste Dietterle
Administrative Assistant
University of New Hampshire
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
129 Main Street, Kendall Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Celeste.Dietterle@unh.edu