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University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Dietetic Internship Program

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ADMISSIONS

1. Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in nutrition? 
   No, but you do have to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a Declaration of Intent or Verification Statement from a CADE-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics. The recent completion of upper level courses in nutrition and the Knowledge Requirements for the Entry-Level Registered Dietitian are required. 
   
   
2. Is enrollment in the Master or Doctoral degree program required with the Dietetic Internship?
   Yes. The Dietetic Internship program is combined with an advanced degree from the School of Public Health, The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center. Each program requires its own application form to be submitted.
   
   
3. How long does it take to complete the Dietetic Internship and Master’s Degree?
   If an intern is pursuing a Master’s of Public Health, the usual time is two and one-half years. If an intern is pursuing a Master’s of Science, it will probably take three years in order to complete the course work and the original research work.
   
   
4. Can I enroll in the Master or Doctoral degree program without applying for the Dietetic Internship?
   Yes. You can earn a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) without being admitted to the Dietetic Internship program.
   
   
5. Is the Dietetic Internship Program and Advanced Degree in Public Health Program full time?
   Yes. The two-year curriculum for the master’s degree involves either full-time academic load (minimum of 9 semester credit hours) or the designated number of semester credit hours and the required Supervised Practice hours for the Dietetic Internship Program. The 1070 Supervised Practice hours occur during Spring and Summer semester of Year One and the Spring semester of Year Two. After the two years with the Spring Supervised Practice Experiences, students can attend the SPH part-time to complete their coursework, thesis, or dissertation. (Hours will increase to 1200 by graduating class of year 2011.)
   
   
6. Why is the application for The School of Public Health due December 14th and the Application to the Dietetic Internship due February 14th?
   The December 14th application date for The School of Public Health allows the graduate admissions committee to review the candidate’s application to graduate school in time to forward the list of qualified applicants to the Dietetic Internship Admissions Committee for consideration of acceptance and prioritization in computer matching. It is therefore, important for the candidates to notify the Dietetic Internship Director on or before December 14th that they have applied to The School of Public Health so their application folder can be tagged for expedited handling to meet the computerized match dates.
   
   
7. If I am placed on waiting list or decide to delay admission to the Dietetic Internship but go ahead and enroll at UTSPH, will I have an easier chance to get admitted the following year?
   No. Applicants are reviewed annually for the Fall class. You would need to update your last year Internship application if applying again. There are sometimes unexpected circumstances that do not allow all matched individuals to matriculate in the dietetic internship. If this occurs, filling vacancies can occur with the proper application.
   
   
8. If I am selected to The School of Public Health, but not the Dietetic Internship, can I still enroll in the graduate program?
   Yes. You can pursue an advanced degree at The School of Public Health without enrolling in The Dietetic Internship.
   
   
9. Should I plan to work while in the Dietetic Internship/ Advanced Degree Program?
   Definitely not full-time. Limited part-time work may be acceptable, but the internship and full-time enrollment is a rigorous academic load.
   
   
10. Does the UTSPH have the option of taking additional coursework and writing a professional paper instead of completing a research thesis or dissertation?
    No, all UTSPH students receiving a degree from UTSPH are required to write a thesis for a master’s degree or a dissertation for a doctoral degree.
    
    
11. Are there any "special" programs within the Dietetic Internship Program?
    The UTSPH Dietetic Internship Program affiliates with The Baylor College of Medicine, Dept. of Adolescent Health and Sports Medicine for the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Training Program. A separate application to this program is required after admission to the SPH and DI. One Dietetic Intern per year can participate with other health care students from medicine, nursing, social work, etc. interested in adolescent health. 384 hours of the scheduled Supervised Practice program in Community and Specialty Practice are spent with this experience. Team training sessions are offered weekly in this specialty practice area.