Application Process

Admission requirements for the UHDI include a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and an original verification statement from an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). If you have yet to graduate, an Intent to Complete Form is required. If you already have a graduate degree in addition to the above requirements, you should apply for one of the DI only options.

Program admission and selection of interns

All applicants are reviewed by the selection committee.  Successful applicants must meet the following minimum admission standards:

• A minimum of a masters degree for the DI only tracks and a minimum of a bachelors degree for the MS/DI tracks. 
• Minimum DPD GPA of 3.0 (4 point scale), 3.0 overall GPA and 2.8 science GPA
• Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement or Intent to Complete form
• Significant paid work experience
• Preference is given for NDTR credential
• For those who are applying for one of our Distance track options, you must have appropriate preceptors and facilities arranged and submit a proposed Rotation Schedule. You must also submit both a signed Preceptor Agreement Form (pdf) and Preceptor Qualification Form (pdf) for each preceptor in a rotation concentration. For more information on how to arrange your rotation schedule and finding sites and preceptors, click here.

If you are applying for one of the MS/DI tracks, you will apply first to the UHDI program and indicate the MS/DI track of your choice on your application. If accepted, you will be directed to complete an application form for the online MS in nutrition program.

Once enrolled in the MS/DI option, you will be required to follow the course sequence as instructed by your academic advisor and/or internship director. The course sequencing is dependent on program start date.

Applying for the Dietetic internship is a 2-step process:

STEP 1) Complete an online application with DICAS

The University of Houston participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). The program may be accessed at https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/ (e-mail DICASinfo@DICAS.org) The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.

DICAS options to select from

Onsite DI only option: Interns will complete their rotations in the greater Houston area.
DICAS: University of Houston- On-site (UH DI)

Distance DI only option: Interns complete their rotations at a U.S. location of their choice.
DICAS: University of Houston- Distance (UH DI)

Onsite MS/DI option: Masters in Nutrition combined with On-site DI
DICAS: University of Houston- On-site (UH MS/DI)

Distance MS/DI option: Masters in Nutrition combined with Distance DI.
DICAS: University of Houston- Distance (UH MS/DI)

DICAS requires a personal statement, online application, official transcripts and 3 letters of recommendation. In addition, we require all applicants to upload a current resume that includes your current email address to DICAS.

For all Distance track applicants, you must also upload Preceptor Qualification Forms (pdf), Preceptor Agreement Forms (pdf), and a Rotation Schedule with other required DICAS application materials. For more information on how to arrange your rotation schedule and finding sites and preceptors, click here.

Reference Letters: When completing the online 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 completion of a reference form. The form will be completed on-line. Students submitting more than one application may use the same individuals as references for each application.

Personal Statement: Applicants who apply to internships using DICAS will be asked to complete a personal statement. Content may include personal or professional goals, interests, experience, strengths, motivation or other topics deemed relevant to the selection process.

STEP 2) Mail in additional materials to UH

Application fee and checklist: A $50 non-refundable application fee is required. Check or money orders only. Checks should be made out to University of Houston, with the subject line as: DIETETIC INTERNSHIP. UH requires students to mail in your application fees along with the application checklist.

To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted online and the application fee with checklist mailed in by the due dates, either March 1st or November 1st. You may send the application fee with checklist by regular mail. If you wish to get acknowledgement of receipt, you should use a carrier that provides tracking i.e., UPS, overnight mail, DHS, Fedex etc. We do not recommend the use of certified mail.

The checklist and application fee should be submitted in person or via mail to:

Ms. Claudia Scott
Dietetic Internship Director 
University of Houston 
Health & Human Performance
3855 Holman St., Rm 104 Garrison
Houston, TX  77204-6015

Application Deadlines

Spring:
Early Admission 2/1
DICAS 2/15
Students will receive a response on admission no later than 3/1, Students must inform programs of their acceptance choice by 3/15

Fall:
Early Admission 10/1
DICAS 10/15
Students will receive a response on admission no later than 11/1, Students must inform programs of their acceptance choice by 11/15

Online Master of Science in Nutrition Program Application

Students applying for the MS/DI option will need to complete and application for the MS Nutrition program after acceptance to a UH MS/DI program.

Application information for the Master of Science in Nutrition Program.

Distance track applicants – Sites, preceptors, and rotation schedules

Applicants to one of our distance tracks (DI Only or MS/DI) are required to identify and secure preceptors for each rotation site. In most cases, preceptors should be Registered Dietitians. All preceptors must be approved prior to starting any rotations. 

How to find preceptors and rotation sites

If you are applying to the UH Distance DI and live in the Houston area, please do not contact sites located in the Medical Center without checking with the UH DI Director. Many of these sites are already contracted with the Onsite program and cannot support additional interns. 

In what date range should I be scheduling my rotations?
If you are applying for DI only, rotation dates should fall between February 1 – September 30 (January start) or July 1 – February 28 (June start). Breaks between scheduled rotations should be minimized.
If you are applying for the MS/DI Distance program, date ranges for rotations can be more flexible since you are trying to schedule so far in advance. The first semester of the program will focus on coursework only. The orientation to supervised practice will take place at the beginning of your second term (January or June). No rotations should be scheduled for your first semester of the program. For example, if you are starting the MS/DI program in the Fall semester, your rotations should be scheduled during January – December following the first Fall semester. If you are starting the MS/DI in the Spring semester, your rotations should be scheduled between June - May following the first Spring semester. 

Sample Rotation Schedule (for January DI only start):

• January – 1-week virtual orientation 
• February 1 – March 30: 8-week community rotation at WIC clinic 
• April 1 – May 3: 5-week clinical rotation at local hospital  
• May 6 – June 7: 5-week clinical rotation at long term care/rehab facility 
• June 10 – July12: 4-week FSM rotation in School district 
• July 15 – August 9: 4-week elective rotation at eating disorder clinic 
• August - September: Complete DI requirements including passing the exit exam. Graduate with verification statement (eligible for RD exam).

Sample Rotation Schedule (for Fall semester MS/DI start): 

• Fall semester – coursework only - no rotations scheduled 
• Spring semester – coursework plus rotations 
  • January – 1-week virtual orientation 
  • February 1-March 30: 8-week community rotation at WIC clinic 
• Summer semester – coursework plus rotations 
  • June 1 – July 5: 5-week clinical rotation at local hospital        
  • July 6 – August 15: 5-week clinical rotation at long term care/rehab facility 
• Fall semester – coursework plus rotations 
  • September 1 – October 1: 4-week FSM rotation in School district 
  • October 15 – November 15: 4-week elective rotation at eating disorder clinic 
  • December - Complete MS/DI requirements. Graduate with verification statement (eligible for RD exam).

What if my preceptor is not sure they will still be with that facility so far in advance? 
Signatures and agreements should include a clinical nutrition manager or other supervisor to ensure another preceptor may be available if the one you selected it’s no longer at that location. This additional signature is not required but is highly recommended to ensure continuity at your sel3ected rotation sites.

Tips on finding preceptors: 

Start with finding your clinical preceptor and rotation site since this is usually the most challenging to find. 

• Check the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and state affiliate websites for preceptors in your area.  
• Attend local state AND events and network with local RDs for potential preceptors.  
• Speak with your Nutrition professors about contacts they may have for preceptors. 
• Contact hospitals in your local area. Ask to speak with the Clinical Nutrition Manager or Director of Nutrition Services. 
• If rotations in hospitals are not available in your area, try other types of care facilities. This can include long-term care and rehab facilities, dialysis clinics, diabetes clinics, private practice, etc. You may need to find a mixture of other types of care facilities if you cannot find a preceptor in an acute care facility. Please refer to the required competencies to ensure you are finding a location that will allow you to meet all the required competencies, patient populations, and disease states. 
• At least one of the rotations in clinical facilities should not be shorter than 5 weeks.  
• Community nutrition rotations can include WIC clinics, sports nutrition, eating disorder clinics, community health centers, public health offices, agricultural extension offices, etc. 
• Food Service Management rotations can be in hospital or other care facilities, school districts, and other community kitchens with oversight by an RD.