Program

The program, with concentrations in community nutrition and school nutrition, consists of 23 credits and minimum 1000 supervised practice hours that occur in the community nutrition, food systems administration, and clinical nutrition practice areas. Students will take four courses: Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy, Graduate Seminar, Dietetic Internship Orientation, and Practicum in Nutrition and Dietetics. Previous graduate course work may be accepted at the discretion of the Program Director. Previous graduate course work must be supported by an institutional catalog description and course syllabus. 

Admission Requirements

Meeting minimum entry requirements does guarantee a seat in the program; admission to the program is limited to 10 seats.

• Completion of graduate degree from accredited college or university.
• Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition & Dietetics, the accreditingagency of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, with coursework completed within the last 5 years.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), with a minimum of a ‘C’ in prerequisite DPD, math, and sciencecoursework
• TOEFL IBT score of 80 with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four exam sub-sections (international students) Completion of dietetic related volunteer and work experience, in the fields of nutrition, food science, health, laboratory or clinical research,foodservice, food industry, nutrition education, or health promotion
• Completion of the online Graduate Application for Admission Form and the $50.00 Graduate School application fee at: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=gsu-cogs
• Submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended.
• Completion of the online Dietetic Internship Centralized application Service (DICAS http://portal.dicas.org) packet with the following:
  • Application Information
  • Intent to Complete or Verification of Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics
  • Personal statement (8000 character limit) discussing the following:
    • Why you want to enter the dietetics profession
    • Your interest in community nutrition or in school nutrition (choose only one)
    • Your short-term and long-term goals
    • Experiences and skills that reflect your ability to be successful in the dietetic internship and as a registered dietitian
    • An assessment of the qualities, knowledge, and skills you feel you need or wish to improve upon
    • Other information you consider important for the selection process
  • Resume that includes education, work and professional history, recognitions/awards, membership and participation in professional organizations,dietetic related volunteer experience, other experiences related to the dietetic internship, and contact information for a minimum of threereferencesThree letters of reference
  • Upload results of a criminal background check that includes federal , state and local levels. If using Professional Screening & Information (PSI),the costumer code is CUST and the product 983 and product code GSUN for background check only (background check must be clear of offensesfor the previous five years), http://www.psibackgroundcheck.com/
• Register with D & D Digital matching system at http://www.dnddigital.com/ and submit the D&D Digital registration fee. Pre-Select GeorgiaSouthern University graduates do not register with D & D Digital matching system.
• Select Georgia Southern as a priority choice
• Completion of a pre-admission interview
• Completion of a pre-admissions math quiz.
• Required documentation after acceptance to the DI Program are listed on the programwebsite: https://chp.georgiasouthern.edu/hk/graduate/dietetic-internship/admissions-process/

NOTE: Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for other admissions related information.

Total Credit Hours: 23

Recommended interns take Practicum in Nutrition and Dietetics (NTFS 7790  ) for 9 credit hours in Fall and Spring semester. Total 18 credit hours will apply toward Certificate Program.