Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences

Texas Woman's University - Houston

Dietetic Internship

Introduction:

The combined Master of Science Degree and Dietetic internship is a 13-18 month program of graduate study that integrates didactic and clinical experiences into one curriculum. The combined program has a Medical Nutrition Therapy Emphasis and provides students unique opportunities to study nutrition in the classroom as well as in a variety of affiliated health-care institutions and emerging clinical settings.

Graduates meet requirements for active membership in The American Dietetic Association and are eligible to take the registration examination upon successful completion of required coursework and internship experiences. Graduates of the program are competent to practice as entry-level dietitians and are qualified to apply for licensure in the state of Texas.

The program consists of 45 to 51 semester hours, which includes credits for thesis, professional paper, or writing project and 21 credits for internship experience. Upon the completion of the Internship, the student is usually within 1 semester of completing the Master’s degree.

The TWU-Houston Dietetic Internship Program was re-accredited in July 2000 for 10 years by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6955, 312/899-4876.

For additional information regarding the university and our department search our web site at www.twu.edu/hs/nfs/hintern.htm. After reviewing these materials, please feel free to contact the TWU Dietetic Internship Director with further questions.

Rose M. Bush, M.S., R.D., L.D. Office: 713/794-2376

Associate Clinical Professor/ Email: rbush@twu.edu

Dietetic Internship Director www.twu.edu/hs/nfs/hintern.htm.

This information is valid until February 14, 2003. Last update 9/20/2002

Program Mission:

The TWU DI is committed to the development of practitioners, leaders and researchers skilled in the promotion of health and wellness in a culturally diverse democratic society.

Program Goals:

To prepare graduates to successfully meet the requirements for dietetics registration

To prepare graduates to successfully meet the employment requirements for Registered Dietitians.

To provide competently trained Registered Dietitians to meet the current and future employment needs, thereby, contributing to the economic development of the State of Texas.

To contribute to the scientific base of knowledge with opportunities for research in a variety of areas.

To prepare Registered Dietitians who participate in continual professional growth and actualize career goals.

Program Curriculum

Required Courses include:

Advanced nutritional care

Nutrition and human metabolism

Nutrition in disease

Nutrition counseling

Research techniques

Organization and management for foodservice systems

Seminars

Internship experiences

Thesis or professional paper or writing project

Electives

Supervised Practice Sites:

The affiliated facilities providing the major supervised practice experience are located in the Houston metropolitan area and include the Memorial Hermann Health Care System, Christus St. Joseph Hospital, the Harris County Hospital District Hospitals and Clinics and elective emerging practice settings.

General Information

Average number of applications received annually: 40

Cumulative GPA average 2001 class: 3.40 on a 4.0 scale GPA range: 3.21-4.0.

Number of intern positions: 12

Pass rate on RD exam (last 5 years) 100%; Overall: 100%; first-time test taken: 98%

TWU DI MS Degree Calendar

February14, 2003	Postmark deadline for application packets to TWU and computer matching materials to D & D Digital Systems (see further instructions).
April 16, 2003	Appointment Day
July 7, 2003	Begin graduate studies and DI Orientation
August 25, 2003	Continue graduate studies /DI Supervised Practice Experience
January 2004	Continue graduate studies /DI Supervised Practice Experience
June-July, 2004	Complete DI Supervised Practice Experience (minimum 960 hours) RD eligibility upon successful completion of the program
Fall, 2004	Take Registration Examination Projected completion of the Master's Degree

If a qualified student already has an advanced degree in the area of nutrition or closely related field, then no additional degree is required. However, the student would be required to meet the course and supervise practice requirements of the internship.

If a qualified student already has an advanced degree in a non-related area, i.e. history, marketing, etc., the departmental degree would be required.

Admission Requirements:

Students interested in the Combined DI/MS program must meet the following criteria:

Verification Statement showing completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics curriculum or declaration of Intent to Complete DPD (obtain from your DPD Director). The verification Statement completion date must show recency of education within five years.
Grade Point Average of 3.25 or above on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of all coursework (unconditional admission).
Grade Point Average of 3.00 or above on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of all coursework (provisional admission).
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores.

Admission to TWU Graduate School. Note: DI selections are made prior to and separately from The Graduate School Admission process. If you are appointed into the DI program but are denied admission to The Graduate School, your DI appointment would be forfeited at that time. Please refer to the TWU Graduate Catalog for admission requirements. (Request from TWU or review on-line at http://www.twu.edu/o-grad)

Note: Admission for all programs at TWU is open to qualified men and women students.

Application Process:

Applications to the Dietetic Internship and The Graduate School are two separate processes however; the completed applications must be mailed directly to the addresses given below. Failure to mail the applications as directed may result in your application not being considered.

1. Application to TWU's Graduate School:

a). Submit Graduate School application .

b). Submit $30 non-refundable application fee, payable to TWU Graduate Admission.

c). Submit all official college transcripts

d). Submit GRE scores

e). Submit one to two page resume

2. Application to TWU's Dietetic Internship:

a). Submit a completed ADA Application Form for Supervised Practice (The American Dietetic Association provides the standardized application form on diskette. It is written in Microsoft Word for Windows Version 6.0 on a 3 1/2" diskette and can be obtained for $7.00 from ADA at 1-800-877-1600 X5000.)

b). ADA Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)/Academic Requirements (original only).

c). Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

d). Three letters of recommendation. Use the Standard ADA Recommendation Form available on these Web pages 1 2 3 (need all three pages for a complete recommendation form). Copies allowed with an original signature from the person completing the recommendation.

e). A typed letter of application that include your reasons for: applying to this DI/Master's program, interest in dietetics, past work experiences, perceived strengths, areas for growth, and short-term and future professional goals (business letter format, maximum of two pages).

Application Deadline	February 14, 2003
Send to:	Rose M. Bush, MS, RD, Dietetic Internship Director Texas Woman's University 1130 John Freeman Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030-2897

Note: All application materials are the property of TWU Dietetic Internship and will not be returned to the applicant.

Selection Process:

A Selection Committee, appointed by the DI Director, reviews all qualified applications received by the deadline date. Application materials are evaluated by objective criteria in the areas of GPA, GRE, professional interests and goals, work experience (paid and/or volunteer), and letters of recommendation. Note: Texas Woman's University will not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry marital status, or handicap.

Computer Matching Process:

All applicants to Dietetic Internships (DI) must participate in computer matching. Applicants should request instructions and a mark/sense card to prioritize their DI preferences. Applicants should request this material from any ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or from D & D Digital Systems. This request should be made to allow turn around time for submitting by a February 14, 2003, postmark deadline. There is no charge for this material. However, there is a $50 charge for computer matching that must be submitted with the applicant's prioritized ranking mark/sense card.

Schedule of Dates:

Schedule of Dates:	Obtain preference mark/sense card and instructions from your Didactic Program Director or by writing: D & D Digital Systems 304 Main Street, Suite 301 Ames, Iowa 50010 515/292-0490 Fax; 515-663-9427 dnd@netins.net
Postmarked by: February 14, 2003	Submit mark/sense card with prioritized list of Internship choices and matching fee of $50 by certified mail to D & D Digital Systems. The applicant should check with D & D Digital Systems if certified mail receipt is not returned within 3 weeks.
Postmarked by: February 14, 2003	Submit application packet by certified mail to TWU DI program
April 14, 2003	D & D Digital Systems will notify each applicant by overnight mail of program match or non-match. Applicants who have NOT received matching results by this date should telephone D & D Digital Systems. D & D will provide information by phone and follow-up with a letter sent by first class mail.
April 16, 2003	APPOINTMENT DAY. Applicants should telephone or fax the Program Director to confirm the acceptance or rejection of the computer match. A written confirmation is required within one week of appointment day. Note: Local students can place their letter in The Director's departmental mailbox. Rose M. Bush, MS, RD, Dietetic Internship Director Texas Woman's University 1130 John Freeman Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030-2897 Phone: 713/794-2376 Fax: 713/794-2374
April 17, 2003	The DI Director will send a letter to interns confirming their appointment

Estimated Expenses:

The expenses listed are approximations. Actual costs may be more or less than these estimates. The estimates are based on minimum program length of 45 graduate credit hours for the Combined Master's/Dietetic Internship.

	Resident	Non-Resident
Tuition and Fees	$5,454	$15,490	Per/47-hours, graduate credit hours*
Off-Campus Room & Board	Varies	Varies
Texts and supplies	$ 250	$ 250	Per semester
Liability Insurance	$ 30	$ 30	One-time expense
ADA Membership	$ 43	$ 43	Annual fee
Lab coats (2)	$ 60	$ 60	One-time expense
ID Badge	$ 25	$ 25	One-time expense
TDA State Meeting	$ 150	$ 150	Estimated expense
Immunization Fees	Varies	Varies
Physical Exam Fee	Varies	Varies
Transportation costs	Varies	Varies	Travel to and from facilities

*Note: Fees do not include property deposit or assigned course fees, and are subject to change without prior notice.

Transportation:

Transportation to the facilities is the responsibility of the intern. It is necessary that the student have access to an automobile in good working condition and be able to drive a one hour or 60 mile radius in a busy metropolitan area for certain rotations.

Graduate Housing:

It is the intern's responsibility to select and provide his/her own housing. Accommodations are not available on campus for graduate students. For information contact University Housing at 713/794-2158.

Departmental Scholarships:

The Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences awards academic scholarships each year. Awards of $1000 or more for a full academic year results in out-of-state tuition waivers for out-of-state students. Scholarship deadlines are set each spring for the following academic year. More information and a separate application form to apply for these scholarships can be obtained by contacting the department at 713/794-2371. Note: Scholarship application deadlines occur before internship appointments are made. Therefore, it is in the student's best interest to make application before the deadline date.

Full-time graduate students are also eligible for university scholarships. Information and application deadlines may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425408, Denton, TX 76204-3408, 940/898-3064.

Financial Aid:

TWU maintains an Office of Student Financial Aid that provides financial assistance to qualified students. Aid may be awarded in the form of loans, assistantships, scholarships or some combination of these. Please refer to the current graduate catalog for more details and deadlines for application.

Academic Common Market:

Fourteen southern states* participate in the Academic Common Market, an interstate agreement for sharing uncommon programs. Residents of these states who are accepted for admission into selected out-of-state programs can enroll on an in-state tuition basis. The two requirements are:

1. Acceptance in a program to which your state has made arrangements to send its students.

2. Proof that you are a legal resident of that state.

Students should write directly to the institution for admissions information. After you have been accepted, write your state coordinator for certification of residency.

*Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.

A Final Comment...

The faculty in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences welcomes the opportunity to meet with prospective students. To obtain more information, contact us at your convenience. Thank you for your interest in Texas Woman's University.

Rose M. Bush, MS, RD

Dietetic Internship Director Phone: 713/794-2376

Texas Woman's University Fax: 713/794-2374

1130 John Freeman Blvd. Email: rbush@twu.edu

This information is valid until February 14, 2003. Last update 9/20/2002.

Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences

http://www.twu.edu/hs/nfs/hintern.htm

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