Students complete an integrated M.S./D.I. that prepares them for entry-level dietetics practice through clinical, community, and foodservice rotations.
Dietetic Internship
Program Overview
The dietetic internship at Texas State University is a supervised practice program integrated within the master of science in human nutrition. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the program combines graduate education with more than 1,000 hours of supervised practice to prepare graduates for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). Students gain the knowledge, skills, and professional experience needed to provide evidence-based nutrition care in a variety of healthcare and community settings.
Course Work
Dietetic internship students complete graduate coursework that complements their supervised practice experiences. The curriculum includes nutrition practicum, advanced medical nutrition therapy, advanced community nutrition, seminar in lifespan nutrition, and Spanish for nutrition professionals, providing students with advanced knowledge and practical skills that can be immediately applied in a variety of practice settings. Together, these courses strengthen students' clinical reasoning, counseling skills, cultural competence, and ability to translate evidence into practice
| Program | Course Work | Supervised Practice |
|---|---|---|
Program Dietetic Internship | Course Work 15-18 hours | Supervised Practice 1000-1200 hours |
Program Details
Students complete supervised practice experiences across clinical nutrition, community nutrition, foodservice management, and specialty practice settings throughout Central Texas. Working alongside experienced registered dietitian preceptors, interns apply classroom learning while developing competencies in medical nutrition therapy, population-based nutrition, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. Graduates leave the program prepared to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Registration Examination for Dietitians and begin practice as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
Program Mission
The educational objectives of the dietetic internship include:
- preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level dietetics practice through integrated graduate coursework and supervised practice
- developing competency in medical nutrition therapy, community and population-based nutrition, and foodservice management across diverse practice settings
- fostering evidence-based decision making, professional judgment, and ethical practice in nutrition and dietetics
- supporting professional readiness and successful preparation for attainment of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential
Career Options
Completion of the master of science in human nutrition with dietetic internship prepares graduates for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists across a wide range of practice settings. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in:
- clinical nutrition (acute care, long-term care, outpatient)
- community and public health nutrition programs
- foodservice and healthcare management
- specialty practice areas
The program also provides a strong foundation for roles in:
- nutrition education
- healthcare systems
- nonprofit and community organizations
- professional settings requiring advanced nutrition training and supervised practice experience
Program Faculty
The dietetic internship faculty include registered dietitian nutritionists and graduate faculty with expertise in nutrition science, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, foodservice management, and dietetics education. Faculty are actively engaged in teaching, program administration, and supervised practice oversight, and work closely with a diverse network of experienced preceptors across clinical, community, and foodservice settings. Together, faculty and preceptors support intern learning through evidence-based instruction, applied training, and professional mentorship to ensure graduates are well prepared for entry-level dietetics practice.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
| Pathway | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Decision | January 1 |
| DICAS | February 15* |
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Graduate Admission Policies page.
*All application materials must be submitted through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) by this date.
Admission Requirements
Eligibility Summary
Applicants to the Texas State University dietetic internship may apply through the early decision pathway, the DICAS pathway, or both pathways during the same admissions cycle depending on their academic affiliation and application timeline. Early decision is available to eligible Texas State–affiliated students and alumni and allows for earlier notification of admission. The DICAS pathway is available to all eligible applicants nationwide and follows the national dietetic internship timeline.
Applicants not currently enrolled in or previously admitted to the Texas State University master of science in human nutrition program must also submit a separate Graduate College application for that program. Program requirements for the M.S. in human nutrition can be found on its dedicated program page.
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Further details on individual requirements can be found on our admission policy page. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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Early Decision Pathway
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Eligibility
The following individuals are eligible to apply through the early decision process provided they meet all other admissions requirements:
- current Texas State University undergraduate students in good standing in the dietetics track
- current Texas State University graduate students in good standing in the master of science in human nutrition program
- Texas State University alumni who graduated from the undergraduate dietetics track or the master of science in human nutrition program within the last five years
- non-Texas State University students who have been admitted and are enrolled in the Texas State University master of science in human nutrition program
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Application
- completed online application
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Application Fee
- $70 nonrefundable application fee for U.S. applicants
- $110 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- Copies of official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted (submitted after admission).
- A cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater on a 4.0 scale in your last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework (plus any completed graduate courses).
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
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Documents & Other Requirements
- a current one-page resume
- statement of purpose describing your professional aspirations and rationale for pursuing graduate study
- two letters of recommendation from professionals or academics competent to assess your interest in pursuing a career in nutrition
- a third academically focused letter of recommendation if also applying to the master of science in human nutrition program
- DPD verification statement or intent-to-complete letter from the DPD director
- completed DPD GPA calculation worksheet
- responses to personal and professional questions entered directly into the application
- applicants may be interviewed by the Dietetic Internship Director between January 1st and February 1st
information on post-acceptance requirements can be found on the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences webpage.
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DICAS Pathway
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Eligibility
The following individuals are eligible to apply through the DICAS pathway provided they meet all other admissions requirements:
- applicants who have completed or will complete a DPD-verified program and meet Texas State Univeristy dietetic internship admission requirements
- applicants from Texas State University and other institutions who wish to be considered through the DICAS application process
- applicants who were not admitted through the Early Decision pathway remain eligible to apply through DICAS
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Application
- completed online application for the master of science in human nutrition program at Texas State University
- completed centralized application using the DICAS Applicant Portal
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Application Fee
- $50 Texas State Dietetic Internship application fee, mailed and postmarked by the application deadline*
*Please note, this fee is in addition to any fees you pay through DICAS.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- Copies of official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted uploaded to DICAS.
- Applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements as outlined in the DICAS application and program review process.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
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Documents & Other Requirements
All required documents are to be submitted through the DICAS portal.
- current resume
- DPD verification statement or intent-to-complete letter from the DPD Director.
- letters of recommendation from professionals or academics competent to assess your interest in pursuing a career in nutrition
- personal statement and required application responses entered into DICAS
- additional materials as required by the DICAS system
- DICAS applicants may be contacted for an interview by the Dietetic Internship Director
information on post-acceptance requirements can be found on the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences webpage.
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