Montclair State Dietetics Organization - Internship - Forms

Requirements to Apply to Dietetic Internships

Most students majoring in Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics continue their studies to obtain credentials as a registered dietitian (R.D.). This credential qualifies students for higher positions and for a diversity of career choices. The dietetics major at MSU provides the courses necessary to meet the Standards of Education of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The following lists the full requirements to become an R.D.

• Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
Students must complete a set of coursework to meet the educational competencies of ADA in an ADA-accredited program. The specific competencies are in the areas of communications, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, research, food, nutrition, management, and health care systems.

• Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement.
Students who complete their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science - Dietetics are entitled to receive an ADA Verification Statement. This statement is required when students apply to dietetic internship programs and in some cases for employment.

• Baccalaureate Degree
The Nutrition and Food Science major at MSU requires 125 credits to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in any field may complete the coursework to achieve a Verification Statement.

• Dietetic Internship
After completion of an undergraduate degree and obtaining a DPD Verification Statement, individuals are eligible to enter an internship program. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) requires the completion of 900 supervised practice hours after completing the didactic coursework to become a Registered Dietitian.

The intern application process is competitive, and internships generally assess applicants based on DPD grades, experiences in the field of dietetics, letters of recommendation, and interviews. A list of accredited internships is available on the ADA website, http://www.eatright.org, and information about the dietetic internship at MSU is available at http://cehs.montclair.edu/academic/humanecology/programs/ada.shtml

Process of Applying to Dietetic Internship

The process of applying to dietetic internships can be daunting, especially because of all of the required forms. Following is a guide with additional resources to help you complete the dietetic internship application.

1. Contact the internship of interest to determine the basic requirements and application process. Attend Open Houses or arrange to visit the dietetic program. For a list of accredited internships please visit the ADA website, www.eatright.org.

2. Complete either forms, Declaration of Intent to Complete (8-00) from the ADA or the DPD Verification Statement from MSU.

The Declaration of Intent form notifies the internship program of the courses you plan to complete before entering into a dietetic internship. Thus, students that are applying to internship program before the last semester of graduation should complete this form. Not only is it needed to complete the DPD Verification Statement, but it is required in order to be eligible for acceptance to a dietetic internship.

If you have already completed your didactic requirements or in your last semester of study, the DPD Verification Statement should be submitted and signed by your program director. The MSU Dietetic Program Director is Dr. Doreen Liou, EdD, RD. During your last semester at MSU, request an evaluation for an ADA verification statement from the ADA Coordinator or departmental advisors. Forms are available from the ADA coordinator. The MSU ADA coordinator is Donna Verney. She can be reached by email, deev2005@comcast.net.

3. Obtain copies of transcript(s) to submit with the DPD Verification Statement or the Declaration of Intent to Complete.

Transcript requests from MSU can be obtained from http://www.montclair.edu/transcript/index.shtml. Specific information about requesting transcripts (official and unofficial) is available through the Registrar office at MSU, http://www.montclair.edu/registrar.

4. Complete the application through the Dietetic Educators of Practitioners, a dietetic practice group of the American Dietetic Association, (http://www.depdpg.org/index_580.cfm).

Recommendation forms are also available at this website. Note: Check with the internship program for required application materials and forms. Some dietetic internships require an additional application, separate from the standard ADA application. Others may use a modified version of the ADA application.

5. Send the completed application with supporting documents by the program deadline. It is recommended that the application be mailed early.

6. Obtain and complete a computerized matching for the dietetic internship program.

Most ADA-approved dietetic internships select applicants through a computer matching process. Computer matching is coordinated by D&D Digital Systems and follows the ADA spring and fall dietetic internship application deadlines. A matching program serves as a clearinghouse to help applicants obtain supervised practice positions of their choice and to help dietetic internships obtain applicants of their choice. ADA contracts with D&D Digital Systems to facilitate the computer matching process. The instruction packet can be obtained from the Dr. Doreen Liou, EdD,RD, the Didactic Program Director, or by contacting D&D Digital Systems.

D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone: (515) 292-2490
Fax: (515) 663-9427
Email: dnd@netins.net
Website: http://www.dnddigital.com

Send materials to D&D Digital Systems by certified mail. A U.S. Postal Service Return Receipt Requested is recommended to ensure delivery on or before the postmark deadline.

Additional information about applying to dietetic internships can be obtained through the following websites:
• Tufts University-Frances Stern Dietetic Internship Class of 2002 provides a number of helpful instructions and tips (http://www.dieteticinterntips.com).

• ADA also has helpful information. Added information is available for ADA members (http://www.eatright.org.

Note: Please refer to the application instructions of the dietetic program and contact the program director for complete details on applying to dietetic internships. This website is only a general guide.