Graduates meet requirements for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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 TWU-Houston Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 120 South Riverside Suite 2000; Chicago, IL 60606-6955; 312-899-4876. http://www.eatright.org/ACEND
For additional information regarding the university and our department, search our website 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, MS, RD/LD
Associate Clinical Professor/Dietetic Internship Director
713-794-2376
rbush@twu.edu
This information is valid until February 15, 2013.
Introduction:
The program consists of 45 to 57 semester hours, which can include credits for thesis 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.
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; to prepare students for productive careers in dietetics and nutrition-related fields; and to prepare students to be leaders in community and professional organizations.
Program Goals:
- To prepare competently trained graduates to successfully meet the employment requirements for Registered Dietitians
- To recruit, select, and prepare students who will complete the dietetic internship and the Master of Science degree
- To prepare graduates with a wide variety of experiences in medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
- To prepare graduates to participate in self-development and professional organizations
Program Outcomes:
- Graduates will achieve a “first time” pass rate of 80% over a 5-year period.
- At least 70% of graduates who seek employment in the dietetics field will be employed within 3 months of program completion (full-time enrollment in graduate school equates to full-time employment).
- 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.
- At least 80% of the TWU Dietetic Internship graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for their first position when surveyed.
- At least 90% of interns will complete the internship program within 80 weeks.
- At least 90% of interns will complete MS degree within 6 years.
- 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.
- At least 60% of the TWU Dietetic Internship employed graduates will be in positions including MNT when surveyed.
- At least 80% of employers will give program graduates in their employment a rating of above average in MNT knowledge and skills as compared to other entry level registered dietitians.
- At least 70% of graduates will indicate they are involved in a professional organization when surveyed.
- At least 20% of graduates will indicate they are involved in a leadership position 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:
Number of intern positions: 12
Number of applications received in 2012: 65
Supervised practice hours per week: 32-40
Cumulative GPA average 2012 class: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, GPA range: 3.25-3.8
Total supervised practice hours: 1240
TWU DI MS Degree Calendar
|
February 15, 2013 |
Postmark deadline to upload application to Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS) and send computer matching materials to D&D Systems |
|
April 7, 2013 |
Notification Day |
|
April 9, 2013 |
Appointment Day |
|
Fall Semester 2013 |
Begin graduate studies and Dietetic Internship Experience |
|
January 2014 |
Continue graduate studies /Dietetic Internship Experience |
|
Summer 2014 |
Complete Dietetic Internship Experience (minimum 1200 hours); eligible, on successful completion of the program, to take the registration Examination for Dietitians |
|
Fall 2014 |
Take Registration Examination for Dietitians |
Note: If a qualified student has an advanced degree in the area of nutrition or closely related field, 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 (uploaded by 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 400 on the verbal portion, 500 on the quantitative portion, and 4.0 on the writing score.
- 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.
* Students with Verification Statements 5 to 10 years old must update their education with the completion of Medical Nutrition Therapy I 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.
Application Process:
Applications to the Dietetic Internship and to the Graduate School are two separate processes.
1. Application to TWU Dietetic Internship-Houston Center:
- The program is using the online centralized internship application, DICAS. DICAS will be available early December Spring 2013 Match. The online application must be completed for the DI program by 11:59pm Central Time on February 15, 2013. The fee to use DICAS is $40 for the first application submitted and $20 for each additional application.
- When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an email address) for each reference. This will trigger an email message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online. Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application.
- Applicants who apply to internships using DICAS will be asked to complete a personal statement. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career.
- What are your long and short term goals, and how will our program help you meet them?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
- 1,000 word limit.
- Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended should be addressed to:
DICAS - Transcript Dept
PO Box 9118
Watertown, MA 02472 - Applicants must also register online for computer matching through D&D Systems and select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59pm Central Time on February 15, 2012. There is a $50.00 computer matching fee.
2. Application to TWU Graduate Program-Houston should be submitted after your Match to the TWU Dietetic Internship-Houston and must include:
- Online Graduate School Application
- A $50 non-refundable application fee, payable to TWU Graduate Admission
- Official college transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended
- GRE scores
- One to two page résumé
Send transcripts, résumé, and GRE scores to:
Student Records Processing
Texas Woman's University
PO Box 425649
Denton, TX 76204-5649
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 recommendations.
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.
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 Master's/Dietetic Internship.
|
|
Resident |
Non-Resident |
|
|
Tuition and Fees |
$12,900 |
$27,870 |
Thesis option |
| Tuition and Fees | $16,300 | $34,750 | Coursework option |
|
Off-Campus Room & Board |
Varies |
Varies |
|
|
Textbooks and Supplies |
$ 350 |
$ 350 |
Per semester |
|
Liability Insurance |
$ 30 |
$ 30 |
Estimated expense |
|
Criminal Background |
$ 48 |
$ 48 |
One-time expense |
|
Drug Screening |
$ 55 |
$ 55 |
One-time expense |
|
AND Membership |
$ 43 |
$ 43 |
Annual fee |
|
Lab Coat |
$ 30 |
$ 30 |
One-time expense |
|
ID Badges |
$ 25 |
$ 25 |
One-time expense |
|
TAND State Meeting |
$ 200 |
$ 200 |
Estimated expense |
|
Review for RD Exam |
$ 375 |
$ 375 |
Estimated expense |
|
Immunization Fees |
Varies |
Varies |
|
|
Physical Exam Fee |
Varies |
Varies |
|
|
Transportation Costs |
Varies |
Varies |
Travel to and from facilities |
|
Parking Fees |
Varies |
Varies |
|
* Note: Fees do not include property deposit or assigned course fees and are subject to change without prior notice.
See section on Departmental Scholarships through Financial Aid.
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 a 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 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 Nutrition 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; PO Box 425408; Denton, TX 76204-3408; 940-898-3064 or on their website.
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:
- Acceptance in a program to which your state has made arrangements to send its students.
- 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/LD
| Dietetic Internship Director | Phone 713-794-2376 | |
| Texas Woman's University | Fax 713-794-2374 | |
| 6700 Fannin St | Email: rbush@twu.edu | |
| Houston, TX 77030-2343 | Website: www.twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences |
This information is valid until February 15, 2013.
page last updated 5/10/2013 12:56 PM