Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences

Dietetic Internship Program Mission (Denton) |  Combined Masters Dietetic Internship (Denton) |  Combined Masters Dietetic Internship (Houston) |  Dietetic Internship Application Form

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 63 semester hours, which can includes credits for thesis, professional paper 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 is currently granted accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Suite 2000, 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.                       
Associate Clinical Professor/ Dietetic Internship Director                   
713/794-2376
Email: rbush@mail.twu.edu

This information is valid until February 17, 2009.

Program Mission:

The mission of the Program is to provide quality graduate study and supervised training comprised of challenging work experience that focuses on medical nutrition therapy. Graduates will have fulfilled the core competencies required by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.  Successful completion of the program results in students who are prepared to begin productive careers in dietetics and nutrition-related fields.  After graduation, students will be prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the areas of clinical, community, research, food service administration, and business.

Program Goals:

1. The program will be considered outstanding in the community
2. The program will prepare competently trained graduates to successfully pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians
3. The program will prepare competently trained graduates to successfully meet the employment requirements for Registered Dietitians
4. The program will select and prepare students who will complete the dietetic internship and MS degree

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, St. Joseph Hospital, the Harris County Hospital District Hospitals and Clinics, Baylor Health Clinic and elective emerging practice settings. TWU Dietetic Interns may also apply to be a Fellow in the Baylor College of Medicine Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Program (LEAH).

General Information:

Average number of applications received annually: 36
Cumulative GPA average 2007 class: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale GPA range: 3.25 – 3.8.
Number of intern positions: 12
Pass rate on RD exam (last 5 years) 100%

TWU DI MS Degree Calendar

Note: 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.

Note: 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 undergraduate hours (unconditional admission).
• Grade Point Average of 3.00 or above on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 undergraduate hours (provisional admission).
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores with a preferred minimum of 350 on the verbal portion and 450 on the quantitative portion.
• A 1-2 page resume providing evidence of work and/or volunteer experience related to intended field of study.
• 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 or review on-line at http://www.twu.edu/o-grad

Note: Admission for all programs at TWU is open to qualified male and female 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 Graduate School must include:
   1. Online Graduate School Application
   2. A $30 non-refundable application fee, payable to TWU Graduate Admission. 
   3. Official college transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended
   4. GRE scores
   5. One to two page resume
2. Application to TWU Dietetic Internship -Houston Center must include:
   1. A completed ADA Application Form for Supervised Practice (link to form)
   2. ADA Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)/Academic Requirements (original only).
   3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
   4. Three recommendation forms. Use the Standard ADA Recommendation Form (link to form) (need all three pages for a complete recommendation form). Copies allowed with an original signature from the recommender.
   5. A typed letter of application that include your reasons for: Why you chose TWU 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).
   6. Internship application fee - none.

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 to prioritize their DI preferences. Applicants should request instructions from any ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or from D & D Digital. This request should be made to allow turn around time for submitting by a February 17, 2009 deadline. There is a $50 charge for computer matching that must be submitted with the applicant's prioritized preference list.

Schedule of Dates:

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.

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

See section on Departmental Scholarships/Financial Aid http://www.twu.edu/finaid/

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 Student Life at 713/794-2157 or mailto:dunruh@mail.twu.edu.

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 or on the website at: http://www.twu.ed/hs/nfs/.

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.

University Scholarships:

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 or on their website at: http://www.twu.edu/finaid/.

Financial Aid:

TWU maintains an Office of Student Financial Aid that provides financial assistance to qualified students http://www.twu.edu/finaid/. 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                
Texas Woman's University                
6700 Fannin St.                                  
Houston, Texas 77030-2343             

Phone: 713/794-2376
Fax: 713/794-2374
Email: rbush@mail.twu.edu
Website: http://www.twu.edu/hs-nfs/hintern.htm

This information is valid until February 17, 2009. Last update 3/3/2008.
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences
6700 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77030-2343
http://www.twu.edu/hs/nfs/hintern.htm