Introduction:

The combined Master of Science Degree and Dietetic Internship is an 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 include 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, the department, and the curriculum see our web site at http://www.twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/.  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
rbush@twu.edu

This information is valid until February 16, 2010.

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. To prepare competently trained graduates to successfully meet the employment requirements for Registered Dietitians
2. To recruit, select and prepare students who will complete the dietetic internship and the Master of Science degree
3. To prepare graduates with a wide variety of experiences in medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
4. To prepare graduates to participate in self development and professional organizations

Program Outcomes:

1. Graduates will achieve a “first time” pass rate of 80% over a 5-year period.
2. At least 80% of graduates who seek employment in the dietetics field will be employed within 6 months of program completion (full-time enrollment in graduate school equates to full-time employment).
3. At least 80% of employers will give program graduates in their employment a rating of above average in professional knowledge and skills as compared to other entry level registered dietitians.
4. At least 80% of the TWU Dietetic Internship graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for their first position when surveyed.
5. At least 90% of interns will complete the internship program.
6. At least 90% of interns will complete MS degree within 6 years.
7. At least 80% of the TWU Dietetic Internship graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared in MNT for their first position when surveyed.
8. At least 60% of the TWU Dietetic Internship employed graduates will be in positions including MNT when surveyed.
9. During internship all interns will attend 2 or more professional meetings.
10. At least 70% of graduates will indicate they are involved in a professional organization when surveyed.

Supervised Practice Sites:

The affiliated facilities providing the major supervised practice experiences are located in the Houston metropolitan area and include the Memorial Hermann Health Care System, St. Joseph Medical Center, the Harris County Hospital District Hospitals and Clinics, DaVita Dialysis Centers, Houston Independent School District 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: 50
• Cumulative GPA average 2009 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) 98%

TWU DI MS Degree Calendar

February 16, 2010	Postmark deadline for application packet to TWU and computer matching materials to D&D Systems
April 5, 2010	Notification Day
April 7, 2010	Appointment Day
July 12, 2010	Begin graduate studies and DI orientation
Fall 2010	Continue graduate studies/DI Experiences
January 2011	Continue graduate studies /DI Experiences
Summer, 2011	Complete DI Experiences (minimum 1200 hours) and eligible, on successful completion of the program, to take the registration Examination for Dietitians
Fall, 2011	Take Registration Examination for Dietitians Projected completion of the Master's Degree

See Texas Woman’s University Academic 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.

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 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, quantitative, and writing scores with a preferred minimum of 350 on the verbal portion and 450 on the quantitative portion.

A one to two page résumé 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/gradschool/.)

* Students with Verification Statements 5 to 10 years old must update their education with the completion of Medical Nutrition Therapy II and II or equivalent courses. If the Verification Statement is more than 10 years old current DPD requirements must be met.

Note: Admission for all programs at TWU is open to qualified male and female students.

 

 

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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.

• 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 résumé.

  

Send Transcript(s), Résumé, and GRE Scores to:

Student Records Processing Texas Woman's University PO Box 425649 Denton, TX  76204-5649

Note: All application

• Application to TWU Dietetic Internship -Houston Center must include:
  1. A completed ADA Application Form for Supervised Practice.
  2. ADA Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)/Academic Requirements (original signature only).
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  4. Three recommendation forms. Use the Standard ADA Recommendation 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 includes: 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. A one page resume.
  7. Internship application fee - none.

 

Application Deadline Send to:

February 16, 2010 (postmarked) Rose M. Bush, MS, RD Dietetic Internship Director Texas Woman's University 6700 Fannin St Houston, TX  77030-2343

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

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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.

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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 fromany ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or from D & D Digital. This request should be made to allow turnaround time for submitting by a February 16, 2010 deadline. There is a $50 charge for computer matching that must be submitted with the applicant's prioritized preference list.

Schedule of Dates:

Schedule of Dates:	Obtain preference instructions from your Didactic Program Director or by contacting: D & D Digital 304 Main Street, Suite 301 Ames, Iowa 50010 515-292-0490 Fax; 515-663-9427 dnd@sigler.com
Register by: February 16, 2010	Register on the D&D Digital Web site at: http://www.dnddigital.com/, pay the $50 fee with a credit card and submit your preferences online.  If you chose to mail the computer matching materials, you should send by certified mail with a return receipt requested. D&D Digital will not send notification of receipt. Applicants should call D&D Digital if the certified mail receipt is not returned within 3 weeks.
Postmarked by: February 16, 2010	Submit application packet by certified mail to TWU DI program
April 5, 2010	NOTIFICATION DAY D & D. Day by which all applicants will be provided their personal matching results from D&D Digital via posting on the D & D  web site: http://www.dnddigital.com/
April 7, 2010	APPOINTMENT DAY. Applicants should phone, fax or email the Program Director to confirm the acceptance or rejection of the computer match by 5 pm CST. A written confirmation to the director is required within one week of appointment day. Rose M. Bush, MS, RD, DI Director TexasWoman's University 6700 Fannin St Houston, Texas 77030-2343 Phone: 713-794-2376 Fax: 713-794-2374 rbush@twu.edu
April 14, 2010	A letter will be sent to interns confirming their appointments

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	$11,000	$24,000	Per/45-hours, graduate credit hours
Off-Campus Room & Board	Varies	Varies
Texts and supplies	$ 350	$   350	Per semester
Liability Insurance	$  30	$    30	Estimated expense
Criminal Background	$  48	$    48	One-time expense
Drug Screening	$  38	$    38	One-time expense
ADA Membership	$  45	$    45	Annual fee
Lab coats (2)	$  60	$    60	One-time expense
ID Badges(facilities)	$  25	$    25	One-time expense
TDA State Meeting	$ 200	$   200	Estimated expense
Review for RD Exam	$ 300	$   300	Estimated expense
Immunization Fees	Varies	Varies
Physical Exam Fee	Varies	Varies
Transportation Costs	Varies	Varies	Travel to and from facilities
E-portfolio Enrollment	$ 39	$ 39	One-time expense

* 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 dunruh@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 can waive out-of-state tuition 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.  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, contact your state coordinator for certification of residency.*Alabama, *Arkansas, *Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia (http://www.sreb.org/).

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
Fax: 713-794-2374 
TexasWoman's University  
6700 Fannin St.
Houston, Texas 77030-2343 
rbush@mail.twu.edu        

This information is valid until February 16, 2010.