Hear from preceptors, interns and the director!
Welcome to Northwest Missouri State University Dietetic Internship in the School of Health Science and Wellness (SHSW). We are pleased that you have decided to continue your dietetic journey here at our university.
The Northwest Missouri State University Dietetic Internship has been granted candidacy for accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) on May 22, 2019. ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic technicians, registered. ACEND serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. Programs meeting those standards are accredited by ACEND.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor's degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics program at Northwest Missouri State University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/Dietetic Internship.
ACENDFor information about the proposed Master’s Degree in Nutrition, please contact the Dietetic Internship Director directly through email or by phone:
Jessica Anderson MS RDLD
Dietetic Internship Director
janderson@nwmissouri.edu
660.562.1093
The Northwest DI requires 1200 hours of supervised practice. Interns will obtain the required hours through pre-determined rotations as well as through Friday Didactic Classes. The Northwest DI is approved for a concentration in community nutrition.
To provide education and practical experience for graduates to become entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists that can work confidently and enthusiastically to enhance quality of life through food and nutrition in any area of the dietetics field.
Objectives
By preparing graduates to a confident level of entry-level skills, the graduate will have a solid foundation of skills needed to embrace their own goals for success as a dietitian as they enter practice.
Objective
For continued success, the internship will provide the tools and experiences to prepare the intern with the skills needed to continuously achieve their goals in the dietetic’s practice. By also providing new, non-traditional experiences that are evolving in the dietetics world, the intern will gain a unique skill set that will compliment the traditional dietetic intern experiences allowing the intern to be well-rounded and successful in the multiple areas of dietetics.
With 2019 being the DI’s first year, there is currently no program outcomes data. Once available, programs outcome data for remote and non-remote tracks will be available upon request.
To become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) one must complete a Baccalaureate or Master’s Degree program from an accredited college or university where a verification of completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is earned. This allows you to apply to our accredited Dietetic Internship program. Upon successful completion of the Northwest Dietetic Internship, graduates receive a Verification Statement of Dietetic Internship Completion, and are then eligible to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam administered by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR). Upon obtaining the RDN, former interns are directed to seek appropriate licensure/certification in the state where employed.
The Northwest Dietetic Internship prides itself in a variety of experiences throughout the community. Each intern will experience some of the communities best rotations in the following key areas:
Community – Food Bank | 2 weeks |
Food Service (School and Hospital) | 6 weeks |
Long Term Care | 3 weeks |
Elective of Intern Choice | 2 weeks |
Community – Wellness (WIC, Extension, Youth) | 8 weeks |
MNT Inpatient | 7 weeks |
MNT Inpatient – Relief | 2 weeks |
MNT Outpatient | 2 weeks |
All rotations are pre-determined and scheduled by the DI Director. Interns will not be responsible for setting up rotations. The Northwest DI takes seven interns. Preference to location is considered.
Intern 1 | Des Moines, Iowa |
Intern 2 | St. Joseph, MO |
Intern 3 | Kansas City, MO |
Intern 4 | Kansas City, MO |
Intern 5 | Kansas City, MO/Leavenworth, KS |
Intern 6 | Columbia/Fulton/Jefferson City, MO |
Intern 7 | Joplin, MO and Parsons, KS |
If the total billed amount is not paid in full by August 15, students can make monthly installments according to the breakdown below. Any unpaid balance will incur a 1% finance charge each month. Students can submit payment through the Payment Center.
$4,400 billed in July with four installments due by the 15th of each month – August, September, October, November and
$4,400 billed in December with four installments due by the 15th of each month – January, February, March, April
**If an intern has not made appropriate payments, the intern can be removed from the internship program.
***If an intern leaves the DI program before successfully completing all DI requirements fees will not be refunded.
Laptop Computer: For a fee can be rented from college or provide own
Lab Coats: $20 - some sites do not require. The DI Director will notify intern if they need to purchase.
*all costs subject to change without notice
For 2022 – 2023, applicants must complete Student Application through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). This online DICAS application must be completed in its entirety by February 15, 2023. Qualifying applicants will be interviewed. Applicants who have completed the Northwest Missouri State University DPD program within the last 3 years are not interviewed unless further information is needed after reviewing application.
Digital Matching: Applicants must register online at www.dnddigital.com, pay the $65.00 computer match fee by credit card and enter their contact information and dietetic internship preferences by the due date.
Northwest DI does not participate in the assessment of prior learning.
For Fall 2021 – Spring 2022, the DI will follow the tentative schedule below. Orientation marks the beginning of the DI. Following the orientation interns will be assigned to their rotation area and begin rotations the following week. The NWMSU DI has a non-remote track and remote track (10% or more of rotations are over 100 miles away from NWMSU campus). It is expected that interns will complete the DI within 9 months from the initial orientation date. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Interns will provide a weekly update to the program to make sure rotations are being completed in a timely matter.
Aug. 23–27 | Orientation |
Aug. 30 | Week 1 of Rotations |
Nov. 22–26 | Thanksgiving Break |
Dec. 20 – Jan. 2 | Holiday Break |
Jan. 3 | Return to Rotations |
Apr. 18–22 | Last week of Rotations |
Apr. 25–29 | Assignment Wrap – Up, RDN Exam Prep and Exit Interview |
Canvas is Northwest's E-learning platform in which all internship materials can be accessed. Assignments, logs, evaluations, and exams are completed through Canvas. To verify identity, Interns will use a username and password for access. It is encouraged to create a unique password to prevent unwanted access. In addition, Canvas also has security tools to verify identity such as webcam use during exams and password sensitive exams, which can be used for remote locations where interns are not on Northwest's campus.
The student must successfully complete all coursework and supervised experience components including documentation of attainment of competencies through evaluations and assignments. During the supervised practice component of the program, a student must meet the competencies as designated for that experience. The student will be given formal evaluations at the end of each rotation, mid-way through the program and at the end of the program. A self-evaluation by the student is also required at the end of each rotation. In addition, daily feedback on performance will be given to each student by the preceptor and/or Director. Students may receive additional time to complete experiences, not to exceed one month. Students must complete all supervised practice rotations no later than May 31, 2021. Extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The student must have no outstanding financial or other program obligations. Final grade for the supervised experience will be based on scores received from evaluations, participation points, orientation completion, and other supervised practice activities and assignments.