Missouri State University

Apply to this Program

Students who wish to apply to the Dietetic Internship Certificate Program must adhere to the following application processes:

1.  Submit DICAS application 

The Missouri State Dietetic Internship is using the online centralized internship application, Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Process (DICAS).

  1. Submit application to Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2013
  2. Mail a copy of official transcripts from each college and university attended to the following address:

    DICAS Transcript Department
    PO Box 9118
    Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
  3. DICAS application fee: $40 for the first application and $20 for each additional application, payable to DICAS
  4. Applications become property of Missouri State University. No application materials will be returned

Missouri State specific criterion:

  • Personal Philosophy Statement
    • No longer than 1000 words that addresses applicant’s professional career goals and how the DI program will aid in accomplishing those goals.
  • Recommendation Letters: Three recommendation letters received from with one being dietetic academic reference, and another from a work or volunteer reference, with final reference being the applicant’s choice.
  • Resume:
    • Work experience; note the amount of time (how many months or years) you completed paid work and how many hours you provided volunteer work.
    • Include involvement in college and/or community activities
  • GRE Scores:
    • Official GRE scores need to be submitted to Missouri State University. This can be done after acceptance into the program.

2.  Register online with D & D Digital Computer Matching

  1. Register at D&D Digital.
  2. Select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on April 1, 2013. 
  3. D&D Digital registration fee: $50, payable to D&D Digital.

3.  Selection considerations

  • For selection considerations and interview information, please see the Admission Requirements section of the Missouri State Dietetic Internship website.

4.  Acceptance

  • Applicants who receive a match to the Missouri State University Dietetic Internship must call to accept or decline the match by 5:00 p.m. Central Standard time on April 9th, 2013. This call should be made to Hillary Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Program Director, Missouri State University at 417-836-8884. In addition applicants must email a letter of acceptance or rejection to Hillary Roberts by April 12, 2013.

5. Apply to the Graduate College

  • After accepting the match to the Dietetic Internship, students must apply to Missouri State's Graduate College here.
  • There is a $35.00 application fee.

6. Pay Confirmation Deposit

  • Once students are admitted into the Dietetic Internship, have been accepted into the Graduate College, and receive their BearPass log-in they then must pay a placeholder fee of $500.00 known as the confirmation deposit. Please follow the link below to the College of Health and Human Services Confirmation Deposit site.
  • The deadline to pay this fee is 6 weeks after the spring match Appointment Day occurring in April of each year.

Confirmation Deposit

Selection considerations

All applications are initially screened by the following criteria:

  • Completeness of application

    • This requires a completed application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS).

  • Grade Point Average

    • Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 over the last 60 hours of academic work.

  • GRE Scores

    • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required taken no earlier than five years prior to application with preferred minimum scores of 450 in both Verbal and Quantitative Sections & 4 in the Writing Section. Revised GRE scores this is equivalent to 150 in Verbal and 141 in Quantitative.
    • Official GRE scores need to be submitted to Missouri State University. This can be done after acceptance into the program.

  • Work and/or Volunteer experience described in resume: 

    • Applicants should have nutrition/dietetic/research-related work and/or volunteer experience; note the amount of hours of paid and volunteer work. Minimum of 400 hours within the past five years is preferred.

Applications meeting these criteria are reviewed by the Program Director and Application Review Committee, scored according to standardized criteria, and ranked by these preliminary scores. Top applicants are then contacted for personal or phone interviews.  The interviews are an opportunity for applicants to share additional information about their qualifications, demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills, and learn more about the MSU Dietetic Internship as needed.

After thorough discussions of competitive applicants, the Application Review Committee ranks applicants for the matching process.

Concentration areas

There are two areas of concentration in the certificate program, rural health or public affairs. You will choose only one concentration area after being admitted into the program. Selection of a concentration area will occur during the didactic component of the community rotation, when you complete your public health project. As part of that project, you will provide rationale for the concentration area you wish to pursue. You will then meet with the DI director to discuss and design your unique rotation that meets your interests. You are primarily responsible for designing this rotation.