This 17 month non-thesis degree is an accredited, advanced degree and dietetic internship program designed for students who want to complete their ACEND accredited 1000 hour supervised practice experience concurrently with related graduate coursework. The Masters of Science in Dietetics and Dietetic Internship program requires 36 graduate hours including 9 hours of internship practicum. Graduates of this program become eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Students must pass a written comprehensive exam at the end of the program in order to obtain a M.S. degree. Students must be enrolled in the University during the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.
The SHSU program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for program admission:
- GPA Requirement: Overall GPA of 3.0 or GPA of 3.0 or greater within the last 60 hours of academic work.
- GRE Requirement: The GRE requirement will be WAIVED if the applicant graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, if the applicant has a cumulative GPA less than 3.0, the GRE will be required with a minimum score of 290.
- Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students who have completed the DPD five or more years prior to the internship start date are required to update their core knowledge with at least two additional upper-level dietetics courses prior to potential admission to the program. Courses must be completed through an ACEND-accredited nutrition and dietetics program. One course must be in the subject area of Medical Nutrition Therapy. The student should contact the program director to discuss additional coursework.
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Dietetic Internship Application Instructions
Please see the MSDI Website for important application dates.
Students applying for the MSDI Program are required to submit their application through DICAS. The prospective student applicant is responsible for any fees associated with DICAS.
Step 1: Submit your completed application through the online centralized internship application DICAS
Application through the online centralized internship application, DICAS must include:
- Personal Statement
- Three recommendation letters must be from 1) a dietetic academic professor, 2) a work or volunteer supervisor, and 3) a final reference of the applicant’s choice.
- The fees to applicants for using DICAS will be $50
Step 2: The Program Director will contact you to schedule an interview
Step 3: Students accepted into the MSDI program will be required to complete a SHSU Graduate Application
Application Review
Applications of qualified candidates will be reviewed by a selection committee and scored on GPA, GRE score, personal statement, recommendation letters, work & volunteer experience, awards, scholarship, and service (in that order).
Interviews: Applicants will be required to complete a virtual interview.
Note: All courses require Graduate Standing and admittance in MS in Dietetics program.
Capstone Requirement:
Sam Houston State University requires a Capstone as an important measure of skills and knowledge required through the program. All master’s degree candidates must demonstrate the skills and knowledge acquired through the program by passing a Capstone. The MSDI program allows students to select a Capstone at the start of the program. The choices include:
- Comprehensive Exam: The exam includes three sections (Research, Clinical, and Community), and each section is allotted 2.5 hours to complete. The faculty member who taught the course will grade the examination question. Each question will be graded pass or fail. The exam results will be sent to the student within three (3) weeks of the completion of the examination. If a student fails any section, a re-examination in an oral or written format will be required.
- Manuscript and Poster Presentation: The manuscript must be formatted for publication in a journal, and the poster must be formatted for presentation. However, they are not required to be submitted to a journal or conference for completion. Students must select a lead faculty mentor to comprise the MSDI Research Project Committee. Two faculty members are required to ensure objectivity and provide proper support to students; one must be a full-time MSDI faculty member, and the other may be external to MSDI. Faculty members external to MSDI faculty can be selected to serve with the approval of the Program Director. Faculty members should accept students based on the student’s interests and areas of expertise. The MSDI Program Director must approve faculty advisors and projects. Students who receive unsatisfactory progress reports from faculty advisors will be required to meet with the MSDI Program Director.
For MSDI students to successfully complete the Capstone requirement, students must have the technology requirements listed in the MSDI Handbook. Students must successfully complete the Capstone Requirement to earn the Master of Science in Dietetics degree.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The MS in Dietetics is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Review literature and research for best evidence-based practices.
- Nutrition counseling and presentations.
- Implementation of research methods.
- Analysis and interpretation of data.
- Work with an interdisciplinary team towards a common goal.
