DIETETIC INTERNSHIP

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) Dietetic Internship (DI) program offers a post-baccalaureate supervised practice experience designed to assist the candidate in meeting the necessary competencies required for registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The OUHSC DI offers two options to obtain the Verification Statement, which provides eligibility for application to take the National Registration Exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

• Option 1: Standalone Dietetic Internship Program for those prospective applicants who currently possess or will possess a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Verification Statement and a graduate degree upon admission to the program.  The graduate degree obtained can be in any academic discipline.
• Option 2: Combined Masters of Science in Nutritional Sciences with Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) Program for those prospective applicants who are seeking a graduate degree upon completion of the Dietetic Internship program.
   

    

The OUHSC Dietetic Internship program is a post-baccalaureate supervised practice experience designed to assist the candidate in meeting the necessary competencies required for registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Approximately six months in length, this program begins in late May and ends in December. The internship follows university-recognized holidays (as clinic sites allow) as well as allows for three personal days.

Students on this pathway must already have completed a graduate degree from an accredited college or university and meet all other requirements in order for the department to provide verification and the opportunity to sit for licensure
 

Prospective applicants to the OUHSC DI Program who do not possess a graduate degree may apply for the combined Master of Sciences in Nutritional Sciences with the Dietetic Internship Program.

Dietetic Interns admitted to the MS/DI program will receive six graduate credit hours for the internship to count towards the MS degree. Prospective interns who wish to apply to the MS program must ensure they meet the minimum requirements for both programs.  Please review the MS in Nutritional Sciences webpage for more details.
If accepted to the MS/DI program, interns will complete the supervised practice portion first, and the six credit hours gained from supervised practice will count toward the OUHSC MS in Nutritional Sciences Program.

The internship portion of the program begins in August and ends in April the following year. The internship follows university-recognized holidays (as clinic sites allow) as well as allows for three personal days.

Students can start the MS in May after the completion of the internship. The semester in which the student completes the MS Degree can vary.  This is dependent upon the student’s progress with individual coursework and degree plan. This degree plan will be a collaboration between the student and the MS Program Director. 

Once the DI and MS are completed, students will receive their verification statement and have the opportunity to sit for licensure. 
 

There are four rotation modules (food service management, clinical, community, and elective):

1. Eight-week food service management rotation
2. Eight-week community rotation (experiences in wellness, public schools, renal disease, WIC, outpatient counseling, weight management, etc.)
3. Eight-week clinical rotation
4. Four-week elective rotation (nutrition-focused outcome concentration)

The first three rotation modules can be completed in any order, based on site availability and Program Director discretion.  Each intern will complete the elective rotation module during the last 4 weeks of the internship program.

Characteristics of Supervised Practice Rotations include the following:

• A generalist experience with a 4-week elective rotation 
• A minimum of 1056 clock hours of scheduled supervised practice
• Sites of each rotation vary and include locations throughout the state of Oklahoma (please note: some interns, not all, may be required to move from one geographical location in Oklahoma to another at least once during the internship)
• Interns are assigned to rotation sites based on availability, intern preference, and sometimes facility interviews
• Four-week elective rotation (interns are responsible for securing their own elective rotation facility/preceptor)
• The first week of the Internship is spent on-site at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City for orientation. Interns then go to their assigned rotation site. Interns attend a one-day class day in Oklahoma City or Tulsa at the end of each eight-week rotation.

If after reviewing the below qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu.  We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.

2024-2025 Cycle Deadlines

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Application Opens on July 15, 2024
Application Closes on February 15, 2025

All application components outlined in the Application Procedure section must be completed on or before February 15th in order to be considered. Incomplete applications will be automatically denied.

Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

1. Meet the following degree or credit hour requirements:
   1. Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program; 
   2. Provide an original, signed verification statement or declaration of intent to complete degree;
      1. If verification statement is older than five years, applicants must show evidence of continuing education and competence in dietetics-related domain knowledge;
2. AND meet the following GPA requirements: 
   1. At minimum, earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of academic work taken including undergraduate and graduate hours;
   2. At minimum, earn a 3.0 grade point average in DICAS-calculated DPD science coursework;
   3. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
   4. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
3. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required as part of the application process.
4. If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OUHSC institution code for the TOEFL is 6902. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver.

1. Complete an online application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal. 
2. Complete one or more* online application through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Office of Admissions and Records;
   1. *If applying to both the Dietetic Internship and Master of Science, applicants will need to complete both applications.
3. Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to DICAS; 
   1. Transcripts sent directly to OUHSC Admissions and Records will not be considered for the application as they must be assessed by DICAS.
   2. If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES);
4. Once the OUHS application is complete and all transcripts have been received, applicants will receive a link to complete the online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent;
5. Selection:
   1. Once an application is complete, including the OUHSC application, Official Transcripts, and Kira Talent Assessment, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions may be made as early as October 1st.
      1. Decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled.
      2. Admitted applicants will be notified via an electronic letter sent by OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records. Waitlisted or Denied students will be notified via DICAS of their status.
      3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have provided a correct email address in the DICAS and OU application system and be monitoring their email for updates.
6. Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter received through OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records, or the position will be considered declined. If admitted, applicants must accept their position by paying a non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.
7. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of their first semester beginning in May 2025 or August 2025 (based on standalone or combined) as well as meet all university compliance and eligibility requirements. Admission is conditional based on meeting all requirements and the college reserves the right to rescind admission offers up until the start of the first week of school.

Interns accepted must enroll and pay tuition for NS 7426 (internship only) or NS 5426 (internship and masters degree credit) - Dietetic Internship which is a six credit hour course.

Interns will also have other required expenses including but not limited to lab coat, non-slip shoes, professional dress, laptop, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership, attendance at a state or national professional meeting, housing, and transportation. An automobile is required as interns may have to drive an hour to some rotation sites and public transportation is not available. A generous financial aid package is available for qualified interns.

Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

Additional cost information:
Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees
Student Financial Aid
DI Program Estimated Cost List

Nutritional Sciences Faculty

Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Phone:  (405) 271-6588
Email: ahinfo@ouhsc.edu

Department of Nutritional Sciences
College of Allied Health
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
1200 N Stonewall Avenue, Room 3057
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  73117-1215

Mike Minnis, MS, RD, CSCS, Coordinator of Performance Nutrition/Assistant Strength Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
Certificate in Dietetic Internship Graduate, Nutritional Sciences

Mike Minnis is the Coordinator of Performance Nutrition/Assistant Strength Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been with the NFL team since February 2016. Prior to that, he spent the 2015 season as the Director of Performance Nutrition for the University of Southern California football team.

In his current role with the Eagles, Minnis administers body composition analysis, performs one-on-one consults and designs nutrition plans to meet the athletes’ individual goals, assists in menu development in the Eagles training facility and on the road, develops hydration strategies, and coordinates nutrition education and other performance fueling strategies.  In addition, Minnis assists the strength & conditioning staff with program development and implementation.

A native of Bucklin, KS, Minnis completed a B.S. in Business at the University of Kansas from 2007-2011 and then completed a dual Bachelors and Master’s degree at Kansas State University in Human Nutrition from 2011-2013. He went on to complete his dietetic internship in the College of Allied Health at the University of Oklahoma.

“I chose the OU dietetic internship because of the individualized support that they show their students. They respect each intern’s individual passions and interests within the field of dietetics and they go out of their way to make sure that each student gets the richest experience that they can while apart of their program”, said Minnis. “ I had personally expressed keen interest in sports nutrition during the application process and the Department of Nutritional Sciences assured me that they would do whatever it took for me to get that experience during my elective rotation. During my internship, Professor Brian dela Cruz, Dietetic Internship Director, did exactly that and went out of his way to develop a relationship and contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to allow me to get my foot in the door and immerse myself in a unique opportunity during my elective rotation that forever changed my career path. I can’t thank OU enough for what they did to put me in the position that I am today and I recommend this program most because of the people and the genuine support and interest that they show their students.”

Before heading to USC in 2015, Minnis was in other sports nutrition roles including internships with Athletes’ Performance (EXOS) and University of Texas athletics. Minnis is a registered dietitian (RD) and a certified strength & conditioning specialist (CSCS).

Allison Fassler, MA, RD, LD
Clinical Dietitian – Compass Group/Morrison Healthcare
Genesis Medical Center – East Rusholme, Davenport, IA
Certificate in Dietetic Internship Graduate (2016)
Master of Arts in Dietetics (2015)

Allison Fassler is a clinical dietitian practicing in the acute care inpatient setting at Genesis Medical Center. She is employed by Compass Group, Morrison Healthcare sector and has been a member of their team since October of 2016. 

Allison is the primary dietitian for the following units – Medical/Pulmonary, Oncology, and Neurology. She also assists with coverage of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In her current position, she provides patient-centered care via the Nutrition Care Process and regularly utilizes ASPEN criteria to successfully diagnose adult malnutrition. Areas of interest include adult malnutrition, discharge planning/nutrition transitions of care, nutrition-focused physicals exams, nutrition support, and ERAS protocols. Allison also serves as a clinical preceptor for the Iowa State University Dietetic Internship Program. 

Originally from Sterling, IL, Allison relocated to Ames, IA to attend Iowa State University from 2009-2013. Initially, Allison set out to become an orthotist/prosthetist but soon realized her passion was nutrition. She received her B.S. in Kinesiology & Health and later went on to complete her M.A. in Dietetics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2015. She was selected into the Department of Nutritional Science’s Dietetic Internship Program in 2016 where she completed her foodservice and clinical rotations at the OKC VA Medical Center and community rotations within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area as well as Hy-Vee Grocery Stores in the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities region. 

“I am so grateful for my experience at OUHSC at not only the graduate level but within the internship program. My professors and preceptors showed such passion for the field of nutrition and dietetics as well as for the advancement of dietitians as an integral role within the healthcare team. Through my experiences as a student and intern, I developed the needed skills to be a successful clinical dietitian – critical thinking, relying on evidence-based research, and providing medical nutrition therapy individualized to each and every patient. I strongly recommend both the educational programs and the dietetic internship program offered within the Department of Nutritional Sciences for the exceptional faculty and staff and the unique opportunities the programs provide to assist any future dietitian find their passions and career interests.”

Allison recently accepted the 2020 Morrison Healthcare Lanois Region Clinical Excellence Award and will go on to the next round for selection of the award at the national level. Outside of seeing patients, she currently remains involved within the Morrison Clinical Specialty Committees where she and another Morrison Healthcare dietitian will present on the topic of discharge planning/nutrition transitions of care. Allison also continues to stay involved within her local district organization – Mississippi Valley Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics where she will serve as treasurer for the 2020-2021 calendar year. 

The OUHSC Internship was granted full accreditation in 2019 for 7 years through December 31, 2026 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For additional information on accreditation, please contact:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Website
Email

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Program outcomes data are available upon request, please email ahinfo@ouhsc.edu.