Admission Requirements
Interns:
- Are admitted either during pre-select or computer match;
- Begin during the fall semester and may be enrolled as part-time or full-time graduate students for the 21-month program;
- Attend fully online classes each semester with scheduled virtual class meetings;
- Are required to participate in a minimum of 1,200 hours of experiential learning while enrolled in the internship;
- Must have regular access to a computer with Internet/email capability, a webcam and printing/scanning capabilities;
- Must be“ServSafe”-certified and have all required immunizations prior to beginning supervised practice in the fall semester;
- Are responsible for their own housing, transportation, health insurance, and costs of drug screenings and criminal background checks during supervised practice;
- Must maintain Academy membership and liability insurance; and
- Must abide by all requirements of the facilities in which they are placed.
Application Steps and Deadlines for DI Application
Step 1: Apply to Graduate School for Fall Term Admission
- Application to Graduate School Program
- Pay $60 Application Fee
- All college/university transcripts to graduate school (including fall grades for computer matching)
- All items must be received by the graduate school by 5 p.m. on October 30 for preselect and by February 15 for computer matching.
Step 2: Centralized Application or Pre-Select Application
- The Dietetic Internship Program at The University of Southern Mississippi uses an internal application for Pre-Select applicants and the online centralized internship application, referred to as DICAS for computer matching applicants. (The internal application MUST be completed by 11:59 pm Central Time on October 30 for pre-select or the DICAS application by February 15 for computer matching).
- Starting in Spring 2021, the DICAS application fee has increased. The first designation is $50 and $25 for each additional designation.
- On the pre-select and DICAS application – applicants will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include:
- Why do you want to enter the profession of dietetics?
- 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?
- Official Transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended (including fall grades) should be sent to:
DICAS – Transcript Dept
PO Box 9118
Watertown, MA 02472
- When completing the application form, you must include the name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed on-line.
- When contacting your references, please indicate they need to comment on the following qualities in the letter:
(a) Knowledge in chosen field, analytical ability, ability to plan and conduct research, creativity, imagination, and intellectual ability
(b) Motivation, perseverance toward goals, ability to work independently and potential for success in career field
(c) Ability to express thoughts clearly in spoken and written English, ability to work with others and potential for
college teaching
- Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application.
Step 3: Supplemental Internship Application
- Download the Preferred location for supervised practice placement (1-page PDF).
- Complete the form and mail along with a $50 check made payable to the Dietetic Internship Program at Southern Miss. This fee is non-refundable.
- The form and the application fee must be mailed to:
Dietetic Internship
School of Kinesiology and Nutrition
118 College Drive #5142
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
- Postmarked date on the Supplemental Application Form must be on or before October 30th for preselect or February 15th for computer matching.
Pre-Select and Computer Matching
Preselect Option
Up to eight (8) of the twenty (20) Southern Miss Dietetic Internship positions may be filled by the Preselect Option rather than Computer Matching. There are two ways to qualify for preselect:
- A student must have completed at least six (6) hours of graduate classes and be currently enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi in a curriculum designed to lead to a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Food Systems,
- Or a student planning to complete the Southern Miss DPD and will receive a verification statement from Southern Miss.
Step 4: Computer Matching
Applicants who do not participate in or qualify for preselect MUST participate in computer matching. There is a $55.00 charge for computer matching that is due on February 15 with the applicant’s prioritized ranking.
Computer Match Code:
The University of Southern Mississippi- MS/DI (789)
D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, Iowa 50010-6148
Applicants will be advised of computer match/no match from D&D Digital. After the computer match, applicant must notify the Southern Miss Dietetic Internship Director of his/her acceptance of the computer match. He or she will receive a letter of appointment from the Internship Director.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements detailed in Admissions Requirements and Procedures, applicants must submit the following documents:
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé
- Three Letters of Recommendation
Students who wish to pursue the Dietetic Internship must also meet the following requirements and submit the following documents:
1. Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement
2. Undergraduate DPD curriculum minimum GPA of 3.00 and science GPA of 2.7 with no grade lower than a “C”
3. Be admitted to a dietetic internship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
This program admits new students each fall term. The application priority deadline is February 1. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
