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Family and Consumer Sciences

College of Education and Human Development

Dietetic Internship

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Application Process

Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Admissions Requirements
Application procedures
Admission checklist
Assessment of Prior Learning
Once you are accepted into the WMU Dietetic Internship Program

Admissions requirements: The following are required for admission to the program:

 

1. A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
2. Completion of all undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics' requirements.
3. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Submission of materials to the Admissions Committee through the online centralized internship application process (DICAS).
5. Participation in the D&D Digital computer matching program.
6. Submission of application fee to Western Michigan University

Students whose DPD verification statements are 5 or more years old may need to complete additional coursework in clinical nutrition (medical nutrition therapy). Please contact the Program Director for more information.

Failure to complete the above will likely void your application

Application Procedures and Admission Checklist

Since only a limited number of applicants can be accepted each year, applicants will be ranked on a point system for acceptance into the program. All submitted application materials and admission deliberations are kept strictly confidential. It is strongly recommended that you print out the checklist and check off each item as it is completed. 

Application and Admissions Checklist

• A completed application form at the DICAS website.
• Your letter of application (Personal Statement) is an important component of the selection process.
  
  Your letter should follow the DICAS format.

ADA's official application form (see above link) may request that you list experiences related to dietetics in the past five years.  However, in your WMU essay you may also describe significant volunteer, paid, or life experiences you have had, before or after 2007, that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the internship program. This might include (but is not limited to) permanent full-time employment, raising a family, or some other life-altering event. Report if you are competent in a second language. The letter should be written in the form of a business letter (as though you were applying for a job). It is useful to the committee to know the approximate hours per week or total hours worked at jobs listed on your application or resume.

•  An official transcript from each college and university attended.
  
  
•  A Verification Statement or Intent to Complete form from your advisor.

•  Three professional references that can attest to your skills, attitude, and potential.  At least one should be from a dietetics faculty member.  Include waiver forms for each recommendation form.

• The fee to use DICAS is $40 for the first application submitted and $20 for each additional application.
   
  
• Register for the Spring 2012 computer matching with D & D Digital Computer Matching. See D & D Digital Computer Matching for more information about this process. Deadline for Spring 2012 is Tuesday, February 15, 2012
   
  
• A $35 non-refundable application fee to Western Michigan University. Check or money order should be made out to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2012. Be sure to include your name in the memo space so that the Admissions Committee can match payment with your application.

• Mail payment to:
  WMU Dietetic Internship Admissions Committee
  c/o Caroline Webber, Ph.D., R.D.
  Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
  Western Michigan University
  1903 W. Michigan Ave.
  Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5322  

Assessment of Prior Learning:
At this time, the WMU DI Program does not assess or give credit to interns for prior learning relevant to the internship. The program does make every effort to provide more complex learning situations for those interns who enter the program with exceptional skills in one of the core competency areas.

Once you are accepted into Western's Dietetic Internship Program, complete the following:

1.  Sign and return the Agreement of Understanding, which will be provided by the Program Director after acceptance into the program.
2.  Apply for admission to the Western Michigan University Graduate School in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 are admitted with probationary status. This status means students must earn grades of B or higher in graduate courses to remain in the program. Application to the Graduate College should be made after the applicant has been accepted into the Internship Program, not before.
3.  Provide results of a complete physical examination and inoculation history that includes a TB test, Tdap test, MMR series, Hepatitis B vaccination series, Varicella, and titers, and proof of health insurance coverage, to the program director before start of program.  Additional requirements, such as drug screening, a police background check, and basic CPR training may be required by individual placement sites. You will be notified of this when placements are made.
4.  Pay tuition and fees for the Dietetic Internship program and for graduate coursework (15 credits the first year).  Tuition invoices are usually sent out (electronically) in late August.

The internship start date for 2012 is Monday, August 27.

Information updated December 2011.