Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship

Find out how to apply to the DI program at Cox College.

• Admission to the ND programs requires concurrent admission to the Cox College Graduate Department. Applicants must complete two different online application forms, one for the internship (DICAS system – see below) and one for the Cox College Graduate Department.
• In addition, before beginning a program, all students must provide official transcripts showing completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and also a signed verification statement from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics.
• The programs utilize the online DICAS application system and D&D Digital computer matching application process:
  • The programs utilize the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS, e-mail DICASinfo@DICAS.org.
  • Applicants must register online at dnddigital.com, pay the computer match fee by credit card, enter their contact information, and Dietetic Internship preferences by 11:59 pm Central Time February 15, 2021.
  • The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.
  • Official Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to: DICAS – Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown, MA, 02472.
  • When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting the completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online. Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application.
  • Applicants must also register online with D&D Digital for computer matching and select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 pm Central Time on February 15. There is a $55 computer matching fee. The matching code for Cox College is 815. For more information on the computer matching process go to www.dnddigital.com, or contact them at:

D Digital Systems, Inc.
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-292-0490

Below is the matching calendar, including student responsibilities:

Spring 2021 Computer Match Calendar 

Applicant Requirements

• Provide an AND Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) – submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Provide official transcripts showing completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (bachelor’s degree must be completed before beginning program in August) – submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Request three (3) letters of recommendation – submitted with the DICAS online application.
  • DPD Director
  • Food, Nutrition or Dietetics Professor/Instructor
  • Work supervisor – preferably in food, dietetics area
• Provide a resume or curriculum vita – submitted with the DICAS online application
• Provide a 1-2 page personal statement addressing the following – submitted with the DICAS online application.

• • Describe the significant professional responsibilities you have held.
  • State your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in this MND program.
  • Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
  • Indicate your personal practice interests as specifically as possible, including any previous practice experience you may have acquired.
  • Demonstration of good communication skills, professionalism, self-direction, flexibility, potential to complete the entire curriculum, and motivation to work in a fast-paced academic program and site environment.
  • Describe weaknesses and/or opportunities for improvement

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the sciences is strongly recommended.
• Completion of statistics course for admission into the Graduate Department.
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE) is not required.
• Apply online for admission into the Cox College Graduate Department, ND via the AND DICAS system by February 15th.

Selection Procedure

Selection of the successful applicants is made by a committee composed of the MND Chair, college faculty and internship preceptors who are RDs. Selection of the successful applicants is based on the committee’s assessment of the individual’s potential in the program and potential as a practicing dietitian. The committee will use grade point average (overall, science, MND/nutrition core courses), the personal statement, past work experience (employment in nutrition/dietetics in the past three (3) years is emphasized), and letters of recommendation as well as face to face or video conferencing interviews (conducted for students who are greater than 250 miles from Springfield) to make this assessment. Additional screening/evaluation pieces may be required and have associated fees. This selection process also follows the rules governing the computer matching process used by AND in cooperation with D&D Digital Systems.

• • Note: Admission to the graduate program in the College does not grant a student admission to the program. ND program applications are reviewed by a selection committee after admission to the graduate program. Program appointments are awarded on a competitive basis through computer matching process used by AND in co-operation with D&D Digital Systems, Ames, IA. Following computer matching appointment, students must pass a criminal background check and drug screen.

The Nutrition Diagnostics Programs follow the Cox College academic calendar including scheduled breaks for Fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, and Spring break. The academic calendar is available here.

Our Mission

The Cox College Master’s in Nutrition Diagnostics/Dietetic Internship and Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship are dedicated to excellence in the preparation of competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists committed to serving their communities, their profession and to transforming the future of nutrition in healthcare.

Our Philosophy

To structure a learning environment to promote critical thinking and inquiry, self-improvement, self-reliance, collaboration and lifelong learning.

Goal #1 – Prepare graduates to become competent entry level dietitians

Goal #2 – Develop skill in the nutrition diagnostic approach to the practice of clinical nutrition

Goal #3 – Prepare graduates to effectively utilize current and pertinent scientific literature in practice as a clinical nutrition practitioner

Goal #4 – Support the need for clinical nutrition practitioners in southwest Missouri and the Midwest region.

Program outcomes data are available on request.

Successful Completion

The ACEND competencies reflect the minimal level of expertise the intern must achieve as stated in the Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics Department Student Handbook. In addition to the minimal level of expertise required by ACEND, satisfactory performance is required in the following if a student wishes to receive a verification statement and graduate degree from Cox College (verification statement granted upon completion of all of the criteria listed below):

• Satisfactory completion of all supervised practice rotations, as evaluated by ND program director, college faculty and preceptors
• Achieving competence in Nutrition Diagnostics as measured by the program concentration specific nutrition diagnostic competency
• Attendance at all required internship/program meetings, including, but not limited to, Southwest Missouri Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics meetings
• Satisfactory completion of all courses required in the ND-DI plan of study
• Graduate GPA of 2.7 or greater
• Completion of all other degree requirements
• Successful passing of ND-DI Comprehensive Exams

Note – the maximum time allowed to complete all program requirements (defined above as successful completion) is 3 years.

Successful completion of the program should equip the student with the skills and ability to apply the knowledge in nutrition and dietetics as measured by the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The graduate of Cox College’s Nutrition Diagnostics-Dietetic Internship program is prepared to practice in multiple areas of dietetics, including foodservice systems management, therapeutic clinical practice, and normal and preventive nutrition in a variety of settings. The program concentration and Master’s in nutrition diagnostics will prepare the graduate for an emerging area of clinical practice.

Following graduation, the student has the option to apply to be admitted to the stand-alone Master of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics(MND) and finish coursework that will result in the MND degree.

This Dietetic Internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and is designed to meet the eligibility requirements for the registration examination for dietitians. Education programs and supervised practice programs must be ACEND-accredited. Registered dietitian exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and include:

1. Completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
2. Completion of an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) (minimum of 1200 supervised practice hours)

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 1-800-877-1600 x5400

Cox College programs are accredited by the North Central Higher Learning Commission

Participation in the ACEND Preselect Option serves to assist the Nutrition Diagnostics Department and the ND-DI to:

• To increase the number of Registered Dietitians in the Southwest Missouri region;
• To attract qualified dietetic students from the region to Cox College;

The ND-DI is accredited to accept 10 students on an annual basis.  The program offers a maximum of four (4) preselect spots to Missouri State University students and three (3) to a College of the Ozarks student. The criteria and processes for each program are outlined below.

MSU Preselection Admission Option

The purpose of the preselect dietetic internship admission option is to offer four (4) qualified Missouri State University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) students priority consideration for early application and admission to the Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship program (ND-DI).

Students will apply during their senior year for direct admission into the program to start in the academic year following graduation (Fall semester start). Final acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of the DPD program and Bachelor of Science program requirements and maintenance of required GPAs, as described below. Students applying to the preselect admission option will commit to attending the ND-DI the Fall semester following undergraduate completion and bypass the online centralized application (DICAS) and the D&D Digital Systems computer matching process.

Guidelines and Criteria for MSU students applying to the ND-DI: 

• Completion of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry courses within the past five years
• Minimum of a 3.3 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) from the completed courses in the MSU dietetic program (or transferred into the program)
• Must meet the December 1 deadline for completion of the ND-DI Preselect Application
• All courses required for the ACEND Verification Statement must be included in the dietetics plan of study included in the application
• Must have no more than 2 grades of ‘C’ in the following science courses:
  • Elements of Microbiology – 3 credits
  • Human Anatomy – 4 credits
  • Human Physiology – 4 credits
  • Introduction to Biochemistry – 3 credits;
• Must have no less than a grade of ‘B’ in the following nutrition core courses:
  • Introduction to Nutrition – 3 credits
  • Nutrition Throughout the Life Span – 3 credits
  • Nutrition Assessment – 3 credits
  • Nutrition Counseling – 2 credits
  • Human Nutrition and Metabolism – 3 credits
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy I – 4 credits
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy II – 4 credits
  • Introduction to Research in Dietetics – 1 credit; and
• Must have a satisfactory performance in a face to face interview with the ND-DI Selection Committee

Preselect Application Process:

• Interested applicants must submit the Cox College ND-DI Preselect Application materials to the ND-DI program director by December 1
• Applicant must submit the following electronically:
• Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a ‘Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree.’
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and showing completion of program coursework (see criteria for details)
• A 1-2-page personal statement addressing the following:
  • Describe the significant professional responsibilities you have held.
  • State your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the ND-DI program.
  • Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
  • Indicate your personal practice interests as specifically as possible, including any previous practice experience you may have acquired.
  • Demonstration of good communication skills, professionalism, self-direction, flexibility, potential to complete the entire curriculum, and motivation to work in a fast-paced academic program and site environment.
  • Describe weaknesses and/or opportunities for improvement

• 3 letters of recommendation from the following:
  • DPD Director
  • Food, Nutrition or Dietetics Professor/Instructor
  • Work supervisor – preferably in food, dietetics area

• Resume which includes work experience and involvement in college and/or community activities.

Submit applications to the ND-DI program director: 

Kristen Williams, Kristen.Williams@coxcollege.edu

Email subject line should read: MSU Preselect application

 Preselect Selection Process:

1. Applications will be reviewed by the ND-DI Selection Committee upon receipt of application materials.
2. Qualified applicants will have a face to face interview.
3. Selection of successful applicants is based on the committee’s assessment of the individual’s potential in the program and potential as a practicing dietitian. The committee will use grade point average (overall, science, MNT/nutrition core courses), the personal statement, past work experience (employment in nutrition/dietetics in the past 3 years is emphasized), letters of recommendation and face to face interviews to make this assessment.
4. Meeting minimum requirements for the Preselect ND-DI Admission Option does not guarantee acceptance into the ND-DI Program.
5. The total number of preselect positions is four (4) annually.
6. Students are accepted into the ND-DI for the academic year (Fall start) immediately following completion of their undergraduate requirements.
7. Once a student accepts an intern position in the ND-DI, their name is submitted to D&D Digital, making the accepted student ineligible to participate in computer matching.
8. Admittance in the ND-DI is contingent on the student maintaining the GPA outlined in the ‘Guidelines and Criteria for MSU students applying to the ND-DI’ section.
   

 Preselect Applicant Notification:

1. Applicants will receive notification via email from the ND-DI program director of acceptance or rejection into the ND-DI by January 28^th
2. Written confirmation via email to the Dietetic Internship Director of acceptance or rejection of the internship position is required by January 29^th 
3. Students admitted into the ND-DI program must apply for formal acceptance into the graduate department at Cox College. Application and acceptance fees will be required.

Note: Students not granted preselect status may apply to the ND-DI, the MND/DI or other programs via the D & D Systems computer matching process.

Participation in the ACEND Preselect Option serves to assist the Nutrition Diagnostics Department and the ND-DI to:

• To increase the number of Registered Dietitians in the Southwest Missouri region;
• To attract qualified dietetic students from the region to Cox College;

The ND-DI is accredited to accept 10 students on an annual basis.  The program offers a maximum of four (4) preselect spots to Missouri State University students and three (3) to a College of the Ozarks student. The criteria and processes for each program are outlined below.

College of the Ozarks Preselection Admission Option

The purpose of the preselect dietetic internship admission option is to offer three (3) qualified College of the Ozarks (C of O) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) student priority consideration for early application and admission to the Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship program (ND-DI).

Students will apply during their senior year for direct admission into the program. Final acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of the DPD program and Bachelor of Science program requirements and maintenance of required GPAs, as described below. Students applying to the preselect admission option will commit to attending the ND-DI the academic year (Fall semester start) following undergraduate completion and bypass the online centralized application (DICAS) and the D&D Digital Systems computer matching process.

Guidelines and Criteria for C of O students applying to the ND-DI: 

• Completion of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry courses within the past five years
• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) from the completed courses in the C of O dietetic program (or transferred into the program)
• Must meet the December 1 deadline for completion of the ND-DI Preselect Application
• All courses required for the ACEND Verification Statement must be included in the dietetics plan of study included in the application
• Must have no more than 2 grades of ‘C’ in the following science courses:
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • General, Organic, Biochemistry I
  • General, Organic, Biochemistry II
• Must have no less than a grade of ‘B’ in the following nutrition core courses:
  • Contemporary Nutrition or Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • Child Nutrition
  • Community Nutrition
  • Medical Terminology
  • Nutrition Care Process/Education/Counseling
  • Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Must have a satisfactory performance in a face to face interview with the ND-DI Selection Committee

 Preselect Application Process:

• Interested applicants must submit the Cox College ND-DI Preselect Application materials to the ND-DI program director by December 1
• Applicant must submit the following electronically:
  • Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a ‘Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree.’
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and showing completion of program coursework (see criteria for details)

• A 1-2-page personal statement addressing the following:
  • Describe the significant professional responsibilities you have held.
  • State your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the ND-DI program.
  • Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
  • Indicate your personal practice interests as specifically as possible, including any previous practice experience you may have acquired.
  • Demonstration of good communication skills, professionalism, self-direction, flexibility, potential to complete the entire curriculum, and motivation to work in a fast-paced academic program and site environment.
  • Describe weaknesses and/or opportunities for improvement

• 3 letters of recommendation from the following:
  • DPD Director
  • Food, Nutrition or Dietetics Professor/Instructor
  • Work supervisor – preferably in food, dietetics area

• Resume which includes work experience and involvement in college and/or community activities.

Submit applications to the ND-DI program director: 

Kristen Williams, Kristen.Williams@coxcollege.edu

Email subject line should read: C of O Preselect application

Preselect Selection Process:

1. Applications will be reviewed by the ND-DI Selection Committee upon receipt of application materials.
2. Qualified applicants will have a face to face interview.
3. Selection of successful applicants is based on the committee’s assessment of the individual’s potential in the program and potential as a practicing dietitian. The committee will use grade point average (overall, science, MNT/nutrition core courses), the personal statement, past work experience (employment in nutrition/dietetics in the past 3 years is emphasized), and letters of recommendation as well as face to face interviews to make this assessment.
4. Meeting minimum requirements for the Preselect ND-DI Admission Option does not guarantee acceptance into the ND-DI Program.
5. The total number of preselect positions is three (3) annually.
6. Students are accepted into the ND-DI for the year immediately following completion of their undergraduate requirements.
7. Once a student accepts an intern position in the ND-DI, their name is submitted to D&D Digital, making the accepted student ineligible to participate in computer matching.
8. Admittance in the ND-DI is contingent on the student maintaining the GPA outlined in the ‘Guidelines and Criteria for C of O students applying to the ND-DI’ section.

Preselect Applicant Notification:

1. Applicants will receive notification via email from the ND-DI program director of acceptance or rejection into the ND-DI by January 1
2. Written confirmation via email to the Dietetic Internship Director of acceptance or rejection of the internship position is required by January 2
3. Students admitted into the ND-DI program must pay an acceptance fee of $175.

Note: Students not granted preselect status may apply to the ND-DI, the MND/DI or other programs via the D & D Systems computer matching process.

Cox College’s Nutrition Diagnostics programs that include a dietetic internship will fulfill state educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Missouri.  However, many states have adopted licensure laws and regulations specifying the minimum credentials required to (1) use various titles, such as "dietitian," "nutritionist," "licensed dietitian nutritionist" or "registered dietitian nutritionist" and (2) provide MNT or other dietetics and nutrition services. Other states take a less protective approach, such as regulating the practice of licensed RDNs and other nutrition service providers and offering licensees the ability to use certain protected titles.  Continuing education may also be required by some states for maintenance of certification/licensure.

Prior to enrolling in Nutrition Diagnostics programs, make sure you understand and review any additional requirements for your intended state/territory, should you plan to relocate after program completion at Cox College.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) provides information on licensure and professional regulation of dietitians here.

The Academy also maintains an active listing of individual states licensure information.  The State Licensure Agency Map and Contact List can be accessed here or by viewing its licensure spreadsheet here.