MS/DI - How to Apply

Admission Requirements and Program Eligibility 

The first three items are mandatory, the fourth is highly recommended.

1. A minimum of a Baccalaureate degree in nutrition/dietetics or related field from an U.S. regionally accredited university or college or foreign equivalent as determined by a recognized credentialing agency.
2. A Verification Statement/Declaration of Intent from an ACEND^® accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics.
3. A minimum of a DPD 3.0 GPA.
4. Dietetics work and/or volunteer experience.  Work experience is not mandatory, however, it significantly strengthens your application.

If you don't meet these requirements, please reach out to the BS/DPD program advisor to learn what additional coursework you need to be able to apply.

Centralized Application Service

The Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) allows you to prepare one application and select multiple programs to receive your application. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics contracts with DICAS to simplify the process of applying to dietetic internship programs. Once received by DICAS, your application and materials go through a verification process before being transmitted to all of your selected programs.

The fee to use DICAS is $50.00 for the first application submitted and $25.00 for each additional application. Once you set up an account in DICAS, search for the ISU MS/DI program and indicate that you want your application materials sent to us! 

Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Complete the Application

Some sections of the application can be quite laborious to finish. There are four main applicaation sections are: personal, academic, supporting materials, and program materials.  You can go in and out of any of the sections at will. 

The Academic Section requires you to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Have the schools send your official transcripts to:

DICAS-Transcript Department
P.O. Box 9118
Watertown, MA  02472

The Programs Material section includes your personal statement, references, and site preferences: 

• Personal Statement. Write a personal statement in 8,000 characters or less, which answers the following questions:
  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession? 
  • What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career?
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
• Reference Information. When completing the application form in DICAS, applicants MUST include the name and contact information (email address) for three references. We suggest you select two faculty members and one employer to provide a reference. After you provide the contact information for each reference:
  • The DICAS system will send email messages requesting completion of a reference form.
  • The form will be completed online.
  • We suggest you give your references a heads up to be on the lookout for the DICAS email and let them know that it's an online reference form.
• Site Preference. Indicate if you want to be considered for one site (Meridian, Pocatello, Twin Falls) or rank two or three sites in your order of preference.

Another Application is Required for Admission into the ISU Graduate School

The ISU MS/DI is a combined Master of Science in Nutrition / Dietetic Internship Program.

ISU policy requires that applicants must complete an application for admission into the Idaho State University Graduate School concurrently with the DICAS application. 

Please submit your application to the ISU Graduate School on or before January 15:

• In order to have all the materials processed by the ISU Graduate School before the Dietetic Internship match, you must submit the materials early. 
• The Graduate School application is separate from the DICAS application and an offer of admission into the Graduate School does not indicate a guaranteed match to the internship.   
• Candidates not admitted to the Graduate School will not match to the MS/DI.

Questions?

Please contact DI Director and Primary Advisor Char Byington at charbyington@isu.edu.

Interviews with the ISU Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty

The Idaho State University Masters of Science / Dietetic Internship program will notify top ranked applicants for an interview in late January/early February:

• The interview is an opportunity for ISU to learn more about you and for you to learn more about ISU
• Questions are aimed at getting a better idea about the DI applicant’s professional and communication skills, as well as level of medical nutrition therapy, food service management, and community nutrition knowledge
• Interviewees are also given the opportunity to ask questions and gather additional information about the ISU DI program

Acceptance of a Spot

Applicants receive admission status notifications no later than March 1.  You might received an admission offer, wait list placement, or admission denial.

If you are accepted into the program, you must accept or decline your admission offer no later than March 15.     

Any additional questions on this step? Ask Char!

Char Byington, MEd, RDN, LD
Director, Dietetic Internship
Garrison Hall 620
(208) 282-3091 | charbyington@isu.edu