Oklahoma State
University
Description of the
Dietetic Internship
Program
Web Address: www.ches.okstate.edu/web-ches/nsci.asp
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 2008 with a
generalist emphasis.
This program offers the Dietetic Intern/Graduate Student with a broad and comprehensive
background in the knowledge and skills needed for 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, and of experienced foodservice managers, the Dietetic
Interns/Graduate Students of this program participate in meaningful learning experiences 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, students 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. If the student is assigned
to a medical center with a conventional food production and centralized tray assembly system,
he/she is encouraged to visit other medical centers with other systems (cook-chill, cook-freeze,
circular trayline, etc.)
During the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) rotation, the student learns the varied roles of the
clinical dietitian in such areas as medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, rehabilitation, intensive care,
cardiology, endocrinology and outpatient counseling. Some of the larger medical centers provide
additional MNT rotations with surgery, ophthalmology, stroke and neurology, oncology, pulmonary,
neonatology, pediatrics, nutrition support, burn unit and kidney dialysis. Most of our affiliations are
250 bed regional hospitals and may not cover all areas in MNT. Students are able to visit larger
medical centers for a few days or weeks to learn about specializations in MNT.
During the community nutrition rotation, the student learn the varied roles of community dietitians
in such areas as school food & 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 students are encouraged to participate
in the district, state and national professional organization where they learn the significance of
engagement, advocacy, and public policy development.
The OSU Dietetic Internship Program provides experiences for its 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.
General Information
Entrance Requirements (Selection Criteria)  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 of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale in the major (nutrition, foods, food science & foodservice management) courses
 Minimum GRE scores: 360 verbal, 440 quantitative and 3.5 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 – Spring or summer preceding the academic school year.
Length of Dietetic Internship Program – Minimum of 120 days supervised experience (approximately 11 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 ($10.00-$12.50/day) in the event the student cannot return
home due to unusual weather conditions. Living expenses can range from $500 - $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 - Each Dietetic Intern will provide his/her own laboratory coats (2 recommended) to be worn over appropriate
street clothes. Some food service management affiliations may require uniforms to meet food safety and ESHA
requirements.
Car - Because the affiliations are located through out the state, each Dietetic Intern will need access to a car and must
carry sufficient automobile 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 which costs $630.00/year or be insured with his/her parents or
spouse.
Liability Insurance – The program pays for Liability Insurance through Marsh Affinity Group (Seabury & Smith).
Number of Dietetic Interns – The program is accredited for up to 24 interns each year.
Holidays - The Dietetic Internship program tries to follow the University calendar, except during internship rotations.
Usual Holidays are as follows: Labor Day (1 day); Fall Break (2 days); Thanksgiving (2 days); Christmas (2-3 weeks).
Rotation schedules are set by rotation preceptors.
Work Responsibilities - The work week is a minimum of 40 hours. There will be some weekend, early morning and/or
evening work for most interns.
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 encouraged to join ADA as Associate Members and to attend the ODA and ADA Annual
Meetings if possible.
RD Eligibility - After successful completion of the Dietetic Internship program, the student will be eligible for active
membership in the American Dietetic Association and will be eligible to write the registration examination anytime at a
Sylvan Learning Center in any US city.
Course
Scheduling for the Internship Year
Dietetic Interns are enrolled concurrently in the NSCI graduate program for MS or PhD degree.
Summer Session
(preceding the program required while on summer rotation)
3 hours required for each rotation
May
NSCI 5563
June/July
June/July
June/July
June/July
June/July
June/July
Nutritional Assessment
Foodservice/Management Rotation
NSCI 5211 (1)
Contemporary Issues in Food Management
NSCI 5412 (2)
Dietetic Management Internship
or
MNT Rotation
NSCI 5221 (1)
Contemporary Issues in Clinical Nutrition
NSCI 5422 (2)
Dietetic Clinical Practicum
or
Community Rotation
NSCI 5231 (1)
Contemporary Issues in Community Nutrition
NSCI 5432 (2)
Dietetic Community Nutrition Practicum
Fall Semester
NSCI 5563
Nutritional Assessment (unless taken during summer
session)
NSCI 5643
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
NSCI 5713
Community Dietetics
NSCI 5753
Management in Health Care Systems
These courses are required for the internship. For financial purposes, a minimum of 12 credit hours
is required to be considered a full time student, unless the student has a graduate assistantship.
If pursuing a graduate degree, the following courses are suggested:
NSCI 5960 (1)
NSCI 5000/6000
Seminar in NSCI
Research
Spring Semester
(While on rotation)
3 hours is required for each rotation (see June/July under Summer session)
It is highly recommended that interns focus on their prospective rotations;
however, additional courses may be taken, such as:
NSCI 5000/6000
NSCI 5123
NSCI 5363
NSCI 5393
NSCI 5763
NSCI 6123
STAT 5013
Research
Research Development in NSCI
Maternal & Infant Nutrition
Nutrition for the Elderly
Manpower Management
Micronutrients in Human Nutrition
Statistics (or equivalent)
Partial List of Affiliations
Carl Albert Indian Health Facility
Chickasaw Nation Indian Hospital located
in Ada, OK (110 miles S of Stillwater).
Comanche Memorial Hospital – State Regional
Hospital located in Lawton, OK (155
miles SW of Stillwater).
Grady Memorial Hospital – State Regional
hospital located in Chickasha, OK (106
miles SW on Stillwater).
Hillcrest Medical Center - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (70 miles E of
Stillwater).
Integris Baptist Medical Center - Private
hospital located in Oklahoma City, OK
(72 miles S of Stillwater).
Integris Bass Baptist Health Center - Private
hospital located in Enid, OK (65 miles
NW of Stillwater).
Choctaw Nation Health Care –
Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital located
in Talihina, OK (150 miles SE 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).
Mercy Health Center & Mercy Heart HospitalPrivate hospitals located in Oklahoma
City, OK (65 miles S of Stillwater).
Muskogee Regional Medical Center - State
Regional hospital located in Muskogee,
OK (115 miles SE of Stillwater).
Southwestern Regional Medical Center/Cancer
Treatment Centers of America –
Private Hospital located in Tulsa, OK (70
miles E of Stillwater)
St. Francis Health System - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (81 miles E of
Stillwater).
St. John Medical Center - Private hospital
located in Tulsa, OK (72 miles E of
Stillwater)
St. Mary Regional Medical Center - Private
hospital located in Enid, OK (65 miles
NW of Stillwater).
OSU Health Sciences Center State Regional hospital located in Tulsa,
OK (70 miles E of Stillwater).
Via Christi Regional Medical Center – Private
consortium of hospitals located in Wichita, KS
(135 miles N of Stillwater).
Integrated Specialty Hospital/Bryan Nursing
Home located in Edmond, OK (60 miles
S of Stillwater).
Jackson County Memorial Hospital – State
Regional hospital located in Altus, OK
(202 miles SW of Stillwater).
St. Anthony Hospital –
Private hospital located in Oklahoma
City, OK (70 miles S of Stillwater
Oklahoma Methodist Manor –
Private retirement Center located in
Tulsa, OK (70 miles E of Stillwater)
Norman Regional Hospital - State Regional
hospital located in Norman, OK (90 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.
Estimated Cost of Dietetic Internship Program for 2004-2005*
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 (21 HOURS)
 Oklahoma Residents ($118.10/credit hour)
 Non-Resident ($392.85/credit hour)
 Other required fees (see catalog pp. 19-21)
OTHER FEES AND EXPENSES
 OSU Registration Fee (new students only, refundable
at the completion of the program or degree)
 OSU Campus Parking Permit
If living in Stillwater
For one day/week on campus each sem. for commuters)
 Estimated textbooks, supplies, etc.
 Student Health Insurance (optional)**
 Professional Liability Insurance***
 Student health center(optional) $54.00/semester++
 Estimated Room and Board
 Estimated uniform, lab coat, shoes, etc.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/MEETINGS
 ADA Associate Membership
 Professional Meetings: ODA-Fall & Spring
(Required as part of rotation))
 ADA Annual Meeting (optional)
 Other Nutrition/Dietetics Meetings (optional)
TRANSPORTATION
 Students must provide own transportation between the
University and facilities
$25.00
$25.00
$2,000.00
$2,480.10*
$8,249.85*
$40.00
$54.00
$15.00
$500.00
$630.00/yr
***
$108.00
Variable
$200.00
$43.00
$50.00
$140.00
variable
variable
*Subject to change.
**This health insurance is offered through the OSU Student Government Association at a substantial savings [1(405)7446500].
***The State of Oklahoma requires professional liability insurance for practicing professionals, provisional or licensed.
Many of the hospitals where students intern also require professional liability. The liability insurance through Marsh
Affinity Group (Seabury & Smith) is paid by Oklahoma State University using intern’s fees.
++Student Health Center Fee may be waived if students elect not to use the Center for medical consultation and
medicine.
PROCEDURE AND CHECKLIST FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION
The deadline for applications is February 13, 2004.
Checklist and application procedure for admission to the OSU Dietetic Internship:

Graduate School Application form, transcripts and $25.00 application fee 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:
Barbara Stoecker, Ph.D., 405-744-5040 or at chrom@okstate.edu

Computer matching information and $50.00 fee by February 13, 2004 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 13 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 my 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 360 for verbal, 440 for quantitative and 3.5 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 $25.00 to partially cover cost of processing application. This is a separate fee from the
graduate school application fee and this fee 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 13, 2004 for notification in April.
It is recommended that completed application be sent via certified mail with a request return postcard to:
Department of Nutritional Sciences
Dietetic Internship
NSCI-HES 301
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078-6141
APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
Appointment Procedure and Selection



A letter D & D Digital will notify you of your computer match by mid April, 2004.
If the applicant decides to accept the match, he/she must contact the Dietetic Internship Director to respond to
the appointment on April 19, 2004 during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. A letter of acceptance
dated April 19, 2004 must also be sent to the Dietetic Internship Director as soon as possible.
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.