Northwest Missouri State University Dietetic Internship

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. 

Goal 1: To prepare graduates to be competent in entry-level skills of dietetic practice.

Objectives

• At least 80% of program graduates complete the program requirements within 13.5 months (150% of time planned- 9 months).
• 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. 
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• At least 80 percent of employed graduates who respond to the post-internship survey will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for their first dietetics related position.

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.

Goal 2: To prepare graduates with professional development skills for life-long learning to enhance the profession of dietetics in the Midwest and beyond.

Objective

• At least 50% of graduates who respond to the post-internship survey will document plans for future training such as specialty degrees, advanced degrees and/or portfolio progress.
• At least 50% of graduates who respond to the post-internship survey will document if they found employment in the Midwest.
• All employers (100%) who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment report “agree” or “strongly agree” regarding the graduate’s knowledge and skill preparation for entry-level practice.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

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 NWMSU 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:

Pre-determined Rotation Spots

All rotations are pre-determined and scheduled by the DI Director. Interns will not be responsible for setting up rotations. The Northwest DI takes six interns. Preference to location is considered.

Locations:

Intern 1: Southwest Iowa and Des Moines, Iowa
Intern 2: St. Joseph, MO
Intern 3: Kansas City, MO
Intern 4: Central MO/Olathe, KS
Intern 5: Olathe, KS/Topeka, KS
Intern 6: Columbia/Fulton/Jefferson City, MO

Program Tuition: $8,800 fee (financial aid not available at this time).  $1,000 payment due by first meeting on the Northwest campus for orientation.

***If an intern leaves the DI program before successfully completing all DI requirements fees will not be refunded.

• Student Membership in Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics $58
• Textbooks $200*
• Orientation Session(expenses incurred during required orientation session in Maryville, MO including, but not limited to, lodging costs, meals, and travel) Campus lodging is available from $10 to $20/night*

Hotel: $60-$100/night*

Food: $50.00*

Fuel: $100.00, if commuting daily*

• Health Insurance $150/month
• Immunizations $150 
• Drug screen $42
• Background Check $52
• Physical Exam fee $50  
• Professional Liability Insurance $50
• Jean Inman Course Review $385
• Nutrition Care Process (NCPro) Virtual Learning Account $120.00
• Laptop Computer for a fee can be rented from college or provide own
• Lab Coats $20
• Nametag $10

*all costs subject to change without notice

Application Process:

For 2021 – 2022, 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, 2021.

Admission Requirements:

• Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a "Verification Statement" or "Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree" and/or ACEND-approved "Minimum Academic Requirements" within five years of application. Verification statements must be received by the DI Director by June 30th or intern will not be accepted.

  • * Applicant must have earned their verification statement within the past 5 years. If the verification statement is older than 5 years, applicant must show evidence of earning a B or higher in a MNT course in the past 2 years of application submission.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.00
• Completed application form.
• A personal statement that addresses the applicant's professional career goals and how the DI program will help accomplish these goals.
• Three written recommendations received with the application must be without significant reservations/concern.
  1. Dietetic academic reference
  2. Work or volunteer reference
  3. Final reference is the applicant’s choice 

Resume which includes:

• Work experience in dietetics, including number of hours of paid and volunteered work
• Involvement in college and/or community activities
• After the application period closes, the selection committee will review all of the applications and select students for an interview.  Interview will be conducted via telephone.

NWMSU DI does not participate in the assessment of prior learning.

For Fall 2020 – Spring 2021, 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 24 – 28^th – Orientation

Aug 31^st – Week 1 of Rotations

Nov 26^th and 27^th – Thanksgiving Break

Dec 23^rd – Jan 1^st – Holiday Break

Jan 4^th – Return to Rotations

Apr 19^th – 23^rd – Last week of Rotations

Apr 26^th  – 30^th – RD Exam Prep and Exit Interview

Canvas is the NWMSU 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 NWMSU 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.