KU offers a dietetic internship graduate certificate program with a medical nutrition therapy emphasis that prepares graduates for a career as a registered dietitian. This program is designed for those applicants who have already completed a master's degree. The mission of the program is to produce competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists with enhanced skills in nutrition therapy using evidence-based practices to support the health of citizens of Kansas, the region, the nation, and the world.

The program prepares graduates to be competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

• At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of the program length).
• 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of employers who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment indicate that graduates demonstrate adequate knowledge and practice ability for entry-level practice as a dietitian (rating of at least 4 on a 5-point scale) over a 3-year period.
• Three years post program completion, 80% of respondents to graduate surveys rate their preparation for entry level practice as adequately prepared or better over a 3-year period.

The program prepares graduates for practice in the field of dietetics and nutrition and participation in professional organizations.

• Of graduates seeking employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• 60% of respondents to graduate surveys are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or related professional organizations over a 3-year period.

Students completing the dietetic internship graduate certificate program have already completed a graduate degree, and thus, will be eligible to complete the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the purpose of receiving the registered dietitian credential. KU dietetic interns have an excellent first-time pass rate on the national exam. All U.S. states with licensure and certification requirements currently accept the registered dietitian credential for state licensure and certification purposes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on specific state licensure requirements. 

Accreditation
The University of Kansas dietetic internship graduate certificate program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Documents relating to accreditation may be obtained from the department office.

Applicants to this program follow the national computer-matching procedure mandated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for application to internships. The application process is conducted online through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) and also requires a supplemental online application to KU.

The program begins in the fall semester. The application window is December 1 through February 15 each year. Information on how to apply and related links for the DICAS application and the supplemental application are posted on the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition website. Applicants must also complete the computer match process and indicate KU as one of the desired institutions for enrollment by February 15. For information on the process and computer match forms, contact your didactic program director or D & D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service.

Admission requirements:

• A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required and must be documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. The master's degree may be in any field.
• A bachelor's degree from a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is required and must be documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from all institutions attended are also required.
  Please note: the University of Kansas does not offer an accredited DPD program that meets this requirement.
  Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated for equivalency. For guidelines, see the international fact sheet provided by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative grade-point average requirement.
• A cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor's degree is required.
• Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the minimum English proficiency requirement.
• Applicants will submit a resume or curriculum vitae indicating prior employment, participation in professional and/or voluntary organizations (e.g., hospital, alumni or nonprofit) and evidence of leadership.
• A verification statement or declaration of intent form must be completed by the applicant's didactic program director and must have an original or digital signature. 
• Three references are required and must be from faculty, advisors, employers, or others who are familiar with the applicant's work and character. The recommendations may not be obtained from family members, friends, etc.

• Personal statement of no more than 1000 words is required. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include the following:

  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?

  • Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for a career as an RDN.

  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?

• If an Applicant meets the admission requirements, he/she will be asked to complete a brief virtual interview.
• The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check instructions.

Applicants will be assessed on academic performance, work and volunteer experience, leadership and research experience, personal statement, responses to interview questions, awards and honors, and references.  After an applicant has been admitted, a program may defer an applicant's admission for one year after which time the applicant must submit a new application. Admission requirements are subject to change. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs».

Certificate Program information:
No student may work toward a graduate certificate without being accepted as a graduate certificate student in a specific graduate certificate program. Graduate certificates are not granted retroactively. An individual who is not currently a degree-seeking graduate student at KU must apply and may be admitted directly to a graduate certificate program.

Graduate credit from another institution may not be transferred to a graduate certificate program.

Classes in this program are held one day each week on campus for the fall and spring semesters. Supervised practice experiences are 32 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters at assigned sites. 

The practice experiences include clinical and community nutrition, food and nutrition management, and a culminating practice area of interest experience designed by the intern to meet personal professional and educational goals. Interns are able to choose from a variety of practice sites for each experience and are encouraged to submit ideas for new practice sites to the program director.

The student enrolls in DN 827 Practicum in Dietetics and Nutrition each semester and must complete a total of 8 credit hours of this course. The total number of credits required for the certificate program is 16 credit hours.

Typical Plan of Study

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
DN 822	1	DN 823	1
DN 825	3	DN 826	3
DN 827	4	DN 827	4
	8		8
Total Hours 16

KU offers a Dual MS degree/Dietetic Internship Program with a medical nutrition therapy emphasis that prepares graduates for a career as a registered dietitian. The mission of the program is to produce competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists with enhanced skills in nutrition therapy using evidence-based practices to support the health of citizens of Kansas, the region, the nation, and the world.

The program prepares graduates to be competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

• At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 30 months (150% of the program length).
• 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of employers who respond to a survey on program graduates in their first year of employment indicate that graduates demonstrate adequate knowledge and practice ability for entry-level practice as a dietitian (rating of at least 4 on a 5-point scale) over a 3-year period.
• Three years post program completion, 80% of respondents to graduate surveys rate their preparation for entry level practice as adequately prepared or better over a 3-year period.

The program prepares graduates for practice in the field of dietetics and nutrition and participation in professional organizations.

• Of graduates seeking employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• 60% of respondents to graduate surveys are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or related professional organizations over a 3-year period.

Students completing the Dual MS/DI program receive a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition, a Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate, and a verification statement which allows them to be eligible to take the national RDN examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the purpose of receiving the registered dietitian nutritionist credential. KU dietetic interns have an excellent first-time pass rate on the national exam. All U.S. states with licensure and certification requirements currently accept the registered dietitian credential for state licensure and certification purposes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on specific state licensure requirements. 

Accreditation
The University of Kansas Dual MS degree/Dietetic Internship Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Documents relating to accreditation may be obtained from the department office.

Admissions
Applicants to this program follow the national computer-matching procedure mandated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for application to internships. The application process is conducted online through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) and also requires a supplemental online application to KU.

The program begins in the fall semester. The application window is December 1 through February 15 each year. Information on how to apply and related links for the DICAS application and the supplemental application are posted on the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition website. Applicants must also complete the computer match process and indicate KU as one of the desired institutions for enrollment by February 15. For information on the process and computer match forms, contact your didactic program director or D & D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
• A bachelor’s degree from a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is required and must be documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from all institutions attended are also required.

 Please note: the University of Kansas does not offer an accredited DPD program that meets this requirement.

Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated for equivalency. For guidelines, see the international fact sheet provided by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative grade-point average requirement.

A cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor's degree is required.

• Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the minimum English proficiency requirement.
• Applicants will submit a resume or curriculum vitae indicating prior employment, participation in professional and/or voluntary organizations (e.g., hospital, alumni or nonprofit) and evidence of leadership.
• A verification statement or declaration of intent form must be completed by the applicant's didactic program director and must have an original or digital signature. 
• Three references are required and must be from faculty, advisors, employers, or others who are familiar with the applicant's work and character. The recommendations may not be obtained from family members, friends, etc.
• Personal statement of no more than 1000 words is required. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include the following:
  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
  • Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for a career as an RDN.
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
• If an Applicant meets the admission requirements, he/she will be asked to complete a brief virtual interview.
• The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check instructions.

Applicants will be assessed on academic performance, work and volunteer experience, leadership and research experience, personal statement, responses to virtual interview, awards and honors, and references.  After an applicant has been admitted, a program may defer an applicant's admission for one year after which time the applicant must submit a new application. Admission requirements are subject to change.

The Dual Program: MS in Dietetics and Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Certificate consists of 38 credit hours of graduate course work and a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience. The program prepares graduates for entry into careers as a registered dietitian. Students completing the Dual MS/DI program receive a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition degree, Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate, and a verification statement which allows them to be eligible to take the national RDN examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the purpose of receiving the registered dietitian nutritionist credential.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

• Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate certificate coursework.
• Enrollment in a minimum of one (1) credit hour the semester the program is completed. 
• Successful completion of 1,000 hours of supervised practice in a variety of practice settings. Satisfied through enrollment in a minimum of 8 credit hours of DN 827 Practicum in Dietetics and Nutrition.
• The practice experiences include clinical and community nutrition, food and nutrition management and a culminating practice area of interest experience designed by the intern to meet personal professional and educational goals. Interns are able to choose from a variety of practice sites for each experience and are encouraged to submit ideas for new practice sites to the program director.
• Receive a passing score on all ACEND core competencies.
• Pass the program final exam with a score of  80% (or raw score of 25.0) or greater.
• Successful completion of a minimum of 38 credit hours including the following courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
DN 825	Medical Nutrition Therapy I	3
DN 822	Management Dietetics & Nutrition I	1
DN 870	Health Behavior Counseling	1
DN 818	Seminar in Dietetics & Nutrition II	1
DN 826	Medical Nutrition Therapy II	3
DN 842	United States Public Health Nutrition	1
DN 823	Management Dietetics & Nutrition II	1
DN 827	Practicum in Dietetics and Nutrition	8
DN 819	Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences	1
DN 834	Methods of Research in Nutrition	3
BIOS 704	Principles of Statistics in Public Health	3
DN 895	Advanced Macronutrients and Integrated Metabolism	3
DN 896	Advanced Micronutrients and Integrated Metabolism	3
Non-thesis Option
DN 854	Special Problems in Dietetics and Nutrition	3
Elective Credit Hours		3
Thesis Option
DN 899	Thesis	3
DN 890	Graduate Research	3

For the Non-thesis option:

• Successful completion of a general examination the semester the student will graduate.  The general exam is an oral exam administered by three faculty members that covers the competencies students are expected to gain through the M.S. degree program.
• Completion of DN 854-Special Problems in Dietetics and Nutrition occurs the semester the student successfully defends the project.  Students submit a written proposal and conducts an oral presentation of the proposal.  If satisfactory, students then prepare a final written report and conduct an oral presentation (defense) of the report which is followed by questions from the research committee.
• The project is generally completed in 1 to 2 semesters and may include one or more of the following:
  • Written intensive review of the literature on a given topic, based on "Evidence-Based Analysis" procedures of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
  • Participation with a faculty member in the development of a research proposal or grant;
  • Participation with a faculty member in conducting a pilot project;
  • Participation with a faculty member in the design, implementation, or evaluation of a program in a specialized area of dietetics practice;
  • Collection and/or analysis of data in conjunction with a faculty member engaged in research.

• Successful completion of a minimum of 3 credit hours of elective coursework.

For the Thesis option:

• Successful completion of a general examination the semester the student will graduate.  The general exam is an oral exam administered by three faculty members that covers the competencies students are expected to gain through the M.S. degree program.
• Successful completion of a thesis defense and of DN 899-Thesis. The defense occurs during the semester the student will graduate. Thesis research is usually conducted over 3 semesters and involves all aspects of research including preparing a proposal, collection and analysis of data, and a thesis. The thesis is presented in written form and orally in a presentation to the thesis committee followed by questions (or defense) and an oral examination before the thesis committee. 
• Successful thesis submission and publication (according to Office of Graduate Studies policy.)
• Successful completion of 3 credit hours of DN 890 – Graduate Research. This course is taken in place of the 3 hours of elective coursework.

• Degree requirements and course descriptions are subject to change. Any courses taken as an equivalent must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Office of Graduate Studies. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs».

Upon acceptance into the program, candidates will be asked to acknowledge their ability to meet these standards with or without accommodations.

The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, retention, and program completion. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the program as well as current students who are candidates for retention or program completion.

These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Academic Accommodations Office at (913) 945-7035 (711 TTY) or cukoko@kumc.edu early in the application process to begin a confidential conversation about what accommodations they may need to meet these standards.

The program prepares candidates to practice dietetics and nutrition within organizations and businesses. Graduates require knowledge and skills to function in diverse practice settings. An essential requirement for completing the Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate is an ability to function within a clinical learning environment and to interact with a variety of interprofessional teams and patients.

Candidates admitted in the program must be able to perform the following:

Communicate: Candidates must have the ability to use multiple communication techniques (oral, written, nonverbal) to enable communication with clients, teachers, and the health care team. Candidates must be able to report to members of the team, express accurate information to clients, and teach, explain, direct, and counsel people.

Observe: Candidates must be able to observe lectures, demonstrations, research, and practice situations in the practice of health sciences. Observation is necessary to perform competent health assessments and interventions. Candidates must also be able to observe, learn from, and analyze health record content, including discernment and use of clinical data displayed within the health record.

Ethical Standards: Candidates must demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors and must perform in an ethical manner in dealing with others. Personal integrity is required and the adherence to standards that reflect the values and functions of the profession of dietetics. Candidates are required to abide by the professional code of ethics for dietetics and student honor codes.

Psychomotor: Candidates must have sufficient motor capacities and motilities to be able to generate, calculate, record, evaluate and transit information; prepare assignments; deliver public presentations to large and small audiences; collect specimens and perform basic tests and physical assessments on individuals, e.g., finger sticks for blood glucose testing, using glucometers, assessing skin fold thickness, taking blood pressure, and placing feeding tubes; work in institutional and food demonstration kitchens to prepare foods and direct employees involved in food services; and conduct patient visits individually and with health care team members to provide nutrition care.  Candidates must be able to travel to supervised practice experiences.

Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate reason, analyze, synthesize, integrate, and remember to apply information. Creative problem solving and clinical reasoning requires all of these intellectual abilities.

Professional and Social Attributes: Candidates must exercise good judgment and promptly complete all responsibilities required of the program. They must develop mature, sensitive, and effective professional relationships with others. Candidates must be able to evaluate one’s own performance critically, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve.

In addition, candidates must be able to tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities. Concern for others, interpersonal competence, and motivation are requisites for the program.

Accommodations are not applied retroactively and a disability-related explanation will not negate poor performance. More information may be found in the Students with Disabilities Policies and Procedures Manual.