Oklahoma State
University
Description of the
Dietetic Internship
Program
Web Address:
http://www.ches.okstate.edu/nsci/internships/index.htm
The Oklahoma State University Dietetic Internship Program has been in existence for more than 60
years. First established in 1937 with an Administrative Dietetics emphasis, it is now an accredited
program by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) until 2011 with a
generalist emphasis.
This program offers the Dietetic Intern/Graduate Student a broad and comprehensive background in
the knowledge and skills needed by entry-level dietitians. Under the leadership and supervision of
dietitians registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and licensed by the Oklahoma
Board of Medical Licensure, as well as experienced foodservice managers, the Dietetic
Interns/Graduate Students of this program participate in meaningful learning experiences that
prepare them for entry level jobs in foodservice/management, medical nutrition therapy, and
community nutrition.
A wide spectrum of opportunities to put theories into practice is available. During the
foodservice/management rotation, interns learn the varied roles of the administrative dietitian and
other foodservice personnel. These include supervision and management, procurement, storage,
assembly of food, patient tray service, cafeteria service, catering/vending, implementing business
plans, and marketing/entrepreneurship. Food production experiences vary from conventional, cookchill/cook-freeze to commissary and “room-service” style of preparation.
During the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) rotation, the intern learns the varied roles of the clinical
dietitian. These areas include general medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, rehabilitation, intensive
care, cardiology, endocrinology and outpatient counseling. Some of the larger medical centers
provide additional MNT rotations with surgery, ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, pulmonary,
neonatology, pediatrics, nutrition support, burns and kidney dialysis.
During the community nutrition rotation, the intern learns the importance of professional
participation in advocacy and public policy. Interns may participate in school child & nutrition
services, elderly nutrition sites, Head Start, day care centers, Indian Health Services, government
inspection agencies, Cooperative Extension, State & County Departments of Public Health, food
assistance programs, consultation & private practice, long term health care, and outpatient specialty
clinics. In addition, the interns are encouraged to attend district, state and national meetings of the
American Dietetic Association.
The OSU Dietetic Internship Program provides experiences for interns which prepare them well for
the national registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration upon
the completion of their internship and required pre-internship graduate coursework.
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General Information
Entrance Requirements (Selection Criteria) 


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A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with verified completion of the Didactic Program in
Dietetics
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Minimum GRE scores: 800 total for verbal and quantitative, and 3.0 for analytical writing skill
Admission to the OSU Graduate College and NSCI graduate program
Varied work experiences in medical nutrition therapy and foodservice are preferred.
Date of Admission – Admission to the internship is coordinated with admission to the NSCI graduate program in the
spring semester preceding the internship year. Required coursework begins in July and must be completed before
commencing internship rotations which occur from January to June.
Length of Dietetic Internship Program – Minimum of 120 days supervised experience plus required graduate course
work (approximately 12 months).
Living Accommodations - Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements. Some affiliations have a guest
residence for overnight stay at minimal cost to the student in the event the student cannot return home due to unusual
weather conditions. Living expenses can range from $600 - $800 per month.
Meals - Most of the affiliations provide at least one meal per day. Others may provide 2-3 meals or meals at reduced cost.
Uniforms - Laboratory coats, uniforms or scrubs and appropriate footwear are required to conform to individual
institutional dress code, food safety and/or OSHA requirements.
Car - Because the affiliations are located throughout the state, each Dietetic Intern will need access to a car or some
means of transportation and must carry sufficient automobile/transport insurance coverage for collision and liability.
Health Insurance - Each Dietetic Intern must have health insurance. A student may elect to participate in the OSU
Student Government sponsored group insurance policy (see other fees and expenses on p. 4) or be insured with his/her
parents or spouse.
 Background Check – Background checks are required by many rotation sites. The internship program through the OSU
HR department arranges for background checks on all interns by OSBI. Negative results may result in dismissal from
the program.
Liability Insurance – The program pays for Liability Insurance for interns through Marsh Affinity Group (Seabury &
Smith)
Number of Dietetic Interns – The program is accredited to train up to 24 interns each year.
Holidays - The Dietetic Internship program follows the University calendar, except during internship rotations. Rotation
schedules are set by rotation preceptors during the spring and summer.
Work Responsibilities - The work week while on rotations is a minimum of 40 hours. There will be some weekend, early
morning and/or evening work for most interns. A minimum of 960 hours of logged supervised practice is required to
complete the program.
Scholarships - Prospective students should explore scholarships available to them from their state dietetic association, the
Oklahoma Family & Consumer Sciences Association, ADA and AAFCS before coming to OSU. Most deadlines for
scholarships are in January or February preceding the school year. Students may set up an appointment to visit with a
financial aid officer at 119 Student Union or phone 405-744-6604. Out-of-state and minority students with high GPAs
and GREs may be eligible for scholarships from the OSU Graduate College.
ADA - All Dietetic Interns are strongly encouraged to join ADA as Associate Members and are required to attend the
ODA Fall and Spring conventions. Attendance at the ADA Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition is optional.
RD Eligibility - After successful completion of the Dietetic Internship program, the intern will be eligible for active
membership in the American Dietetic Association and will be eligible to write the registration examination.
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Course
Scheduling for the Internship Year
Dietetic Interns are enrolled concurrently in the NSCI graduate program for MS or PhD degree.
For financial aid purposes and/or to be eligible to receive a quarter time assistantship, a minimum of
9 credit hours is required to be considered a full time student for fall and spring semesters.
Summer Semester
NSCI 5563
Nutritional Assessment
(Other courses that count toward the graduate degree are available in the summer.)
NSCI 5643
NSCI 5713
NSCI 5753
NSCI 5961
NSCI 5403
NSCI 5412
NSCI 5422
NSCI 5432
Fall Semester
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
Community Dietetics
Management in Health Care Systems
Seminar in Nutritional Sciences
Spring Semester
Contemporary Issues in Dietetics
Dietetic Internship Management Practicum
Dietetic Internship Clinical Practicum
Dietetic Internship Community Nutrition
It is highly recommended that interns focus on maximizing their learning experiences during their
prospective rotations. However, an evening course such as the following may be taken:
NSCI 5123
Research Development in NSCI
NSCI 5363
Maternal & Infant Nutrition
NSCI 5393
Nutrition and Aging
NSCI 5673
Manpower Management in Healthcare
NSCI 6123
Micronutrients in Human Nutrition
STAT 5013
Statistics (or equivalent)
The NSCI Dietetic Internship Program includes 13 hours of graduate coursework and 9 hours of internship
credit hours for a total of 22 hours. Thirteen of these hours can be counted towards a graduate degree in
Nutritional Sciences, Human Environmental Sciences or Health Care Administration.
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Partial List of Affiliations
Comanche Memorial Hospital – State Regional
Hospital located in Lawton, OK (155
miles SW of Stillwater).
Norman Regional Hospital - State Regional
hospital located in Norman, OK (90 miles
S of Stillwater).
Hillcrest Medical Center - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (70 miles E of
Stillwater).
OU Health Sciences Center – University of
Oklahoma Medical School located in
Oklahoma City, OK (70 miles S of
Stillwater)
Integris Baptist Medical Center - Private
hospital located in Oklahoma City, OK
(70 miles S of Stillwater).
Southwestern Regional Medical Center/Cancer
Treatment Centers of America –Private
Hospital located in Tulsa, OK (80 miles E
of Stillwater)
Integris Bass Baptist Health Center - Private
hospital located in Enid, OK (65 miles
NW of Stillwater).
St. Anthony Hospital –Private hospital located
in Oklahoma City, OK (70 miles S of
Stillwater
Jackson County Memorial Hospital – State
Regional hospital located in Altus, OK
(200 miles SW of Stillwater).
St. Francis Health System - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (80 miles E of
Stillwater).
St. John Medical Center - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (70 miles E of
Stillwater)
Marriott Conference Center/ National Center
for Employee Development - Private
hotel conference center/government
postal training center located in Norman,
OK (95 miles S of Stillwater).
St. Mary Regional Medical Center - Private
hospital located in Enid, OK (65 miles
NW of Stillwater).
McAlester Regional Hospital – Regional
hospital located in McAlester, OK (160
miles SE of Stillwater)
Tulsa Regional Medical Center (OSU Center
for Health Sciences) State Regional
hospital located in Tulsa, OK (70 miles E
of Stillwater).
Mercy Health Center Private hospital located in
Oklahoma City, OK (65 miles S of
Stillwater).
Community Dietetics/Nutrition Education
Affiliations include:
Indian Health Services, WIC Clinics,
School Food Service, Elderly Nutrition
Programs, Mobile Meals, Out Patient and
Specialty Clinics, Cooperative Extension,
Consultant Dietitians, and others.
Midwest City Regional Medical Center –
Regional hospital located in Midwest
City, OK (65 miles S of Stillwater)
Muskogee Regional Medical Center - State
Regional hospital located in Muskogee,
OK (115 miles SE of Stillwater).
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Estimated Cost of Dietetic Internship Program for 2006-2007*
The cost to students enrolled in the DI Program will vary depending on current costs for tuition, books, student fees, board,
lodging, etc. ESTIMATED COST of the DI Program is as follows:
FEES
 DI Application Fee (non-refundable)
 Graduate College Application Fee (non-refundable)
 DI Maintenance Fee (upon acceptance to the program)
TUITION plus fees (22 HOURS)
 Oklahoma Residents ($138.50/credit hour)
 Out of State+ ($485.00/credit hour)
 Other required fees ($46.21/credit hour)
$50.00
$40.00
$2,500.00
$3,047.00
$10,670.00
$1,016.62
OTHER FEES AND EXPENSES
 OSU Registration Fee (new students only, refundable
$40.00
at the completion of the program or degree)
 OSU Campus Parking Permit
If living in Stillwater
$54.00
For one day/week on campus each sem. for commuters)
$24.00
 Estimated textbooks, supplies, etc.
$500.00
 Student Health Insurance (optional)**
$849.00 year
 Estimated Room and Board (variable)
~$600-$800/mo
 Estimated uniform, lab coat, shoes, etc.
$200.00
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/MEETINGS
 ADA Associate Membership (recommended)
 ADA Annual Meeting (optional)
TRANSPORTATION
 Students must provide own transportation between the
University and facilities
$43.00
$164.00 + travel
variable
*Subject to change.
**This health insurance is offered through the OSU Student Government Association at a substantial savings [1(405)7446500].
+ Note: A GRE score of 1340 earns in-state tuition fees if student is from out of state (not international).
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PROCEDURE AND CHECKLIST FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION
The deadline for internship applications is February 15, 2006.
Checklist and application procedure for admission to the OSU Dietetic Internship:

Graduate School Application form, transcripts and $40.00 application fee by January 15, 2006 to:
Graduate College, Oklahoma State University, 202 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078-0050.
For information go to http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/admissions/default.htm
For questions regarding admission to the Nutritional Sciences graduate program, contact:
Bahram Arjmandi, Ph.D., 405-744-4437 or at arjmand@okstate.edu

Computer matching information and $50.00 fee by February 15, 2006 to:
D & D Digital Systems, 304 Main Street, Suite 301, Ames, IA, 50010-6148 www.dnddigital.com/
All applicants to the OSU Dietetic Internship must participate in computer matching. To prioritize preferences for dietetic internship
programs, applicants may request instructions and a mark/sense card from any ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or from D&D
Digital Systems. Please allow adequate turn around time for submitting preferences by the February 15 postmark deadline.
Address request to: D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010-6148

Complete application packet, including:
 Typewritten letter of application stating your professional goals as related to dietetics, graduate school, and
other pertinent information you wish to share.
 Completed American Dietetic Association DI application forms which include undergraduate coursework and
graduate coursework if appropriate.
 Three recommendations: 1) from a faculty member in medical nutrition therapy, 2) from a faculty member in
foodservice management and 3) from a major advisor or employer. All qualities rated OUTSTANDING on the
chart must include a written explanation under “Additional Information – Strengths”.
 Official transcripts(s) of credits from ALL universities and colleges attended.
 GRE Score (a minimum of 800 total for verbal and quantitative, and 3.0 for analytical writing)
 Verification Statement of Completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics or Declaration of Intent to Complete
Degree from Didactic Program. This standardized form is to be completed and signed by the College/University
Didactic Program Director.
 Application fee of $50.00 to partially cover cost of processing application. This is a separate fee from the
graduate school application fee and is not refundable.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY
 Certificate(s) of equivalency for degrees earned outside the United States.
 TOEFL scores
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2006 for notification in April.
It is recommended that the completed application be sent via certified mail with a request return postcard to:
Oklahoma State University
Department of Nutritional Sciences
Dietetic Internship Director – Julie Huber, MS, RD/LD
Stillwater, OK 74078-6141
405-744-6954
Fax: 405-744-1357
E-mail: huber@okstate.edu
APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
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Appointment Procedure and Selection for the class of 2006-2007

April 17, 2006 is Student Notification day. Applicants must use the D&D Digital Systems internet site to
receive their personal Dietetic Internship matching results and instructions. This will be the applicants’
ONLY notification of their results and instructions. This information will be available from 12:01 a.m.
CDT April 17, 2006 (notification day) through April 18, 2006 (appointment day). To insure individual
privacy for notification, all applicants are mailed a letter from D&D Digital in March with their personal
login and password for the website.

April 18, 2006 – Appointment Day. Applicants receiving a match to a DI program will be instructed by
D&D Digital to call or fax the DI contact person on or before April 18, 2006 by 5:00 p.m. (CDT for
Oklahoma State) to confirm his/her appointment. After that time, the program is under no obligation to
hold the opening for the applicant.

The applicant should inform his/her Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and/or his/her Advisor of
the computer match/appointment, and final decisions regarding the appointment.
Selection Practices:
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 111246 as
amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age,
religion, handicap, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not
limited to, admission, employment, financial aid and educational services.
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