College of Education and Professional Studies

Dietetic Internship

Download the Degree Sheet

This program is designed to allow students to complete the requirements for the Dietetic Internship and a Master's Degree in one year. This 12 month program begins in January or June and comes to completion at graduation after three semesters (Spring, Fall, and Summer).

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Management is structured to provide knowledge and skills in human nutrition, principles of management, food science, and practice in problem solving and decision making. The curriculum encourages critical and creative thought, development of skills in human relations and communications and the value of life-long learning. The academic program is sensitive to changes in dynamic society; it emphasizes personal and professional growth as well as research. There are diverse opportunities for the graduate in the areas of food service management or education, administration, and nutritional care and health promotion.

The masters degree program is not required of dietetic interns, but interns are still required to complete 20 hours of graduate credit. To earn the MS degree, an intern would complete an additional 12 hours of credit.

Mission

The dietetic internship strives to develop competent, entry-level dietetic professionals through excellence in education and transformative learning experiences.

Goals

The program will prepare students for careers as registered dietitians.
The program will foster a commitment to professional growth and development.

Program

The Nutrition and Food Management program at The University of Central Oklahoma is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995 (Phone: 800/877-1600). Upon completion of this program, also called the Dietetic Internship (DI), students are eligible to take the Registration Examination to become a Registered Dietitian (R.D.).

Consists of 1,200 hours of supervised practice experiences in various sites throughout the OKC metro area.
Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Complete 32 hours of graduate credit to obtain a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Food Science

Rotations

3 Rotation Areas
- Clinical Nutrition (10 weeks) at one of the various hospitals in the OKC metro area
- Food and Nutrition Management (10 weeks) at one of the various hospitals or long term care facilities in the OKC metro area
- Community Nutrition (10 weeks) at various community nutrition sites throughout OKC metro area

DI Program Curriculum

Required Graduate Classes
- Foundations of Educational Research
- Foodservice Financial Management
- Advanced Clinical Nutrition
- Management of Nutrition Services
- Nutrition Assessment
- Internship: Nutrition/Food Management
- Nutrition in Public Policy
- Counseling for Dietetics
- Sports Nutrition
- Prenatal and Pediatric Nutrition
- Additional classes added as available

Why Choose UCO?

Completion of Master's Degree
- Obvious benefits: Advanced education and skills
- Additional benefits: People with a Master's Degree rate above the rest of the population in income, family status, health, self-satisfaction, and community awareness
- Non thesis program with thesis option
- You can meet people from other parts of Oklahoma, the nation, and the world. UCO is home to students from 73 of the state's 77 counties, 40 of the 50 states, and 97 foreign countries.
- At UCO, you get more education for your dollar. Tuition is among the lowest in Oklahoma and competitively low in the U.S.

Estimated Cost of DI Program (2011)

Tuition (for 1 year)
- Oklahoma Resident
  - $201.25/credit hour
  - 20 credit hours = $4,025
- Non-Resident
  - $476.80/credit hour
  - 20 credit hours = $9,536
Fees
- UCO Application Fee
  - $50 (non-refundable)
- Internship Application Fee
  - $40 (non-refundable)
- Graduation Fee
  - $25 (one time fee)
- Dietetic Internship
  - $1000 each Fall & Spring semester
- DICAS Centralized Computer Application
  - $40 (first application, $20 for each additional application submitted)
- D & D Digital Computer Matching
  - $50
Other Expenses
- Background Check and 9-Panel Drug Screen
  - The internship utilizes Certified Background for these services at a cost of $39.00 for the background check and $37.00 for the drug screen. Students can provide results from their own provider if desired.
- Textbooks/Supplies
  - $500 (estimated)
- Room/Board
  - $500/month (estimated)
- Professional Liability Insurance
  - Two payments of $15
- Lab Coat/Shoes/Clothing
  - $150 (estimated)
- Transporation/Gasoline
  - $150 (estimated)
Professional Membership/Meetings
- ADA Affiliate Membership
  - $49 (student price)
- Professional Meetings
  - $100 (ODA, OCDDA)
- ADA Annual Meeting
  - Variable (optional)
- Other Dietetics Meetings
  - Variable

Admission Requirements

Completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics with a GPA of 3.0 in the final 60 hours of coursework and no D's or F's in required courses
Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with minimum total score of 900 on the quantitative and verbal and a minimum score of 4 on the essay portion
Applicants will be ranked on a point system for acceptance into the program (limited number of applicants can be accepted each semester)
UCO participates in the computer-matching program from D & D Digital.
On the application, list all names by which you have been known (i.e., maiden name, previous married names, aliases, etc.)
No alterations to the report will be accepted
As most area hospitals utilize electronic medical records, interns will have to demonstrate typing proficiency before the beginning of rotations
Interns will be expected to comply with conservative, professional standards of appearance (no facial piercings, no visible tattoos, neat hair and clothing)
Drug screen and background check will be required after acceptance at student's expense
UCO participates in the DICAS computerized application system

Typical Week

Monday - Friday
- Days
  - Supervised practice rotations for 8 hours
- Evenings
  - Classes 2-3 days/week
  - Classes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes each

Completion

Verification Statement received
Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Management degree completed
Eligible to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians through the CDR

Checklist for Application

Graduate school application with check for $50
Internship application fee, $40
DICAS application to include the following:
- Resume
- Letter of Application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- GRE scores
- Verification of Intent to Complete or Completion of the DPD program
- TOEFL scores for international students

How Do I Apply?

Application to graduate school
Complete DICAS application
Send $40.00 application fee (payable to UCO) by USPS mail to:
- University of Central Oklahoma
- Attn: Tiffany Shurtz MS, RD/LD
- University Center, Box 118
- 100 University Drive
- Edmond, OK 73034

Any Questions?

For further answers and information, contact Tiffany Shurtz
Phone: (405) 974-5369
Email: tshurtz@uco.edu

University of

Central Oklahoma