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Family & Consumer Sciences - Dietetic Internship

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  4. Family & Consumer Sciences - Dietetic Internship

Overview

The on-campus dietetic internship program at Illinois State University offers a streamlined pathway to credentialing by integrating the dietetic internship and Master of Science degree in Nutrition into one cohesive 16-month experience.

Our graduate program is proud to offer a low student to faculty ratio, ensuring you receive personalized attention and mentorship throughout your studies. Additionally, we offer the flexibility to choose between thesis and non-thesis options that are tailored to your academic and professional goals. Graduate assistantships are available to help offset the cost of tuition and provide valuable professional experience.

Visit the Sequence of Courses and Cost pages to learn more.

About the Program

Our program aims to prepare students to be competent, entry level registered dietitian nutritionists with a strong educational framework. In the dietetic internship, you will be paired with our network of experienced preceptors who will provide diverse experience in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, and food service management. Visit our Rotation Sites page to learn more.

This program is designed for someone who has their undergraduate degree, completed a didactic program in dietetics and possess a DPD verification statement. Alternate dietetic pathways at Illinois State University include a Distance Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate program and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition (without the internship).

Contact Mrs. Kaitlin Byrd or Mrs. Jessica Kollmann to arrange a time to discuss the exciting opportunities at Illinois State.

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Point of Pride

Students learn and work in Illinois State’s newly renovated Foods Lab, which includes commercial-quality equipment and state-of-the-art workstations.

Graduate Advisor

Kaitlin Byrd
(309) 438-4608
Turner 118B

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
  • If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
  • If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • Complete at least a Bachelor's degree.
  • Have a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Complete a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) with a DPD verification statement.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS)

Illinois State University participates in the online Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) process. To apply, you will need to create an account in the DICAS portal and add our program to your list. Please note that the dietetic internship program at Illinois State has different options, each tied to specific applications in DICAS. Please ensure you are applying to the specific program you intend to complete. 

  • Illinois State University On-Campus Dietetic Internship and Master of Science degree in Nutrition

The centralized application will require you to complete your personal information, academic history (includes sending official transcripts to DICAS), supporting information, and program materials.

If you need assistance with the centralized application, please contact DICAS customer support at 617-612-2855.

Recommendations

In the DICAS portal, you will be prompted to enter the name and email address for each of your chosen recommenders. This will prompt an email request to be sent to the recommender on your behalf. Our program requires 2 recommendations. 

  • One academic recommendation (ex: DPD director, faculty/staff, academic advisor)
  • One professional recommendation (ex: employer, volunteer coordinator, supervisor of professional practice experiences)

You are encouraged to choose recommenders who can speak to your ability to be successful in this program. 

Personal Statement

The personal statement is your opportunity to highlight your unique qualifications, experiences, and commitment to your academic and professional goals. Because we understand each student is unique, we do not have any required writing prompts. Instead, we encourage you to use this statement to demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for our program. Please limit the personal statement to 1,000 words. 

Application Fee

Our program's application submission fee is $35. If you are applying to both our on-campus and distance/online program, the fee is $70. These funds are distributed back to admitted students to assist with funding conference attendance, projects, and other initiatives.

Submit your application fee.

Application Timeline

At this time, Illinois State University participates in the Spring application cycle with the program starting in the fall. 

  • Application Opens: August 5
  • Priority Deadline: January 15 at 11:59 pm CST
  • Program Decision Date: March 1
  • Applicant Decision Date: March 15

You may submit your application materials via DICAS anytime from August 5th through January 15th. Our team will conduct a holistic review of applications on a bi-monthly basis. Suitable candidates will be invited to complete an interview process. Once our team has made a decision, you will be notified via email of your application status (no later than March 1st). Students will have until March 15th to accept or decline an offer. 

Application review and program admission will be completed on a rolling basis until all available slots are full. You are encouraged to follow the priority deadline of January 15, however any applications submitted after this date will be reviewed accordingly, as space in our program allows.

Our program is committed to following the ACENDS Programs Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules. You are expected to follow the ACEND Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules for Applicants. 

Applying to the Graduate Program

In an effort to reduce the time and cost associated with applying to dietetic internships, only the DICAS application is required for admission consideration to Illinois State University. All admitted student will be required to provide official transcripts to the Graduate School before the start of the dietetic internship program.

How to Apply for Preselect

We accept preselect applications only from Illinois State University students in the senior dietetics sequence.

Applicants for preselect must submit their materials via DICAS using the "Illinois State University Preselect Application.”

Preselect Application Timeline

Preselect applications will be reviewed in the fall prior to the year you intend to begin the program.

  • Application Opens: August 5
  • Priority Deadline: October 15
  • Program Decision: Prior to fall break
  • Applicant Decision: Prior to winter break

Prospective preselect students may submit their application materials via DICAS anytime from August 5 through October 15. Our team will conduct a holistic review of applications after the priority deadline. Suitable candidates will be invited to complete an interview process. Once our team has made a decision, you will be notified via email of your application status (prior to fall break). Students will have until the last day of the fall semester to accept or decline an offer.

Eligible preselect applicants are encouraged to follow the priority deadline of October 15, however any applications submitted after this date will be reviewed accordingly, as space in our program allows.

Eligible preselect students who are not selected in the fall are encouraged to reapply to our program using the general DICAS application timeline. Additionally, students can apply to other internships through DICAS.

If you have individual questions about your eligibility after the preselect process, please direct questions to dieteticinternship@ilstu.edu.

Apply Now

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development. Assistantships pay for tuition for the first three semesters of your course of study and provide a stipend for the first two semesters. All students accepted into this program who meet basic eligibility requirements will receive an assistantship.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

  • be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

  • monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
  • a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
  • a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Tuition Waivers

Eligibility Requirements

Both full-time and part-time students enrolled in a master's degree program are eligible for tuition waivers. Students enrolled in a certificate program only are not eligible. Only students who have completed less than two years full-time or 40 credit hours are eligible. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need. Tuition waiver minimum requirements are as follows:

New graduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.25 (based on GPA calculated by Admissions office)

Currently enrolled graduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.25 for graduate courses at ISU

Application Process

During the first week of classes each semester, students admitted to the graduate program may apply for a Graduate Tuition Waiver. Students must turn in the two-page tuition waiver application and the Selective Service Verification form to be considered for a tuition waiver.

View the Graduate Tuition Waiver Application

Additional Information

All tuition waiver awards are at in-state rates.

Tuition waivers are typically partial and do not cover all tuition costs.

Award letters will be sent to the student electronically through e-mail.

Funds will appear in student's account sometime after the 10th day of classes when course enrollment is verified.

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