Master of Science & Dietetic Internship (MS-DI)

MS-DI Program Overview

This program of study is specifically designed for students who wish to simultaneously complete a Dietetic Internship and a Master of Science degree in Dietetic Systems Leadership.

MS-DI cohorts start in May, Summer Session I with a 6-week course. Graduate students complete 4 semesters of 100% online courses for the first year of the program. During the second year of the program, students complete supervised practice hours onsite in Montana or Wyoming. The internship culminates in a professional presentation at the annual Montana Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Food & Nutrition Summit.

Upon successful completion of the MS-DI track, students receive a verification of completion certificate, a Dietetic Systems Leaderhip MS degree, and are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians in order to receive the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential.

2024 Program Dates

Start Date: May 13, 2024     End Date: May 2026 (dates TBD based on academic calendar)

The first four semesters of MS-DI will follow the MSU-Bozeman Academic Calendar.

In early August of the second year, interns will start the internship portion of the program consists of 34 weeks of supervised practice. The MDI supervised practice does not follow the MSU-Bozeman academic calendar.

Holiday Breaks: As determined by the academic calendar for the first year of the program. During supervised practice, interns typically have a break during Thanksgiving week and a  break around the Christmas/New Year holidays. Additional holidays will be determined by preceptor schedule but are not guaranteed.

Location

Graduate students can remain in their home community during the first four semesters of the program. Students will travel to Bozeman in early August of the second year for 5-11 weeks for MDI orientation, professional development, sustainable foods foundation and applied weeks, and other rotations in the Bozeman area. 

Students will be assigned to one of seven geographic regions in Montana or Wyoming for the remaining two semesters of supervised practice hours. Locations include Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Montana and Sheridan, Wyoming. Interns should indicate their top two location choices in the MS-MDI application.

Coursework

MS-DI students are enrolled as full-time graduate students and complete a total of 36 graduate-level credits. Students need to have their own laptop with wireless capacity in order to participate in online coursework. Students can access Montana State Online for more information on online learning.

While courses are offered online for the first year, students have required assignments, group work that must be coordinated with classmates, and instructors can opt for synchronous classtime as well. Employment may be possible during the online portion of the program (first four semesters), but employment is strongly discouraged during the internship/supervised practice portion of the program.

For more details about the internship, see the Non-Degree Graduate DI Page.

Curriculum 

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS-DI track the following degree, statements and certifications are necessary. Transcript(s) and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement (or declaration of intent) are also required for the application process.

• Proof of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and/or dietetics from an ACEND accredited program in nutrition and/or dietetics and/or related major from an accredited college or university is needed. Proof of earned degree will be provided by a final transcript. (Alternatively, prospective students may have earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field but completed post-baccalaureate didactic coursework in dietetics from an accredited college or university.)
• Verification Statement (or declaration of intent) from an accredited didactic program.
• Preferred 100 hours of volunteer or work experience in food, nutrition and/or dietetics.
• 3 references from dietetic professionals, faculty and/or employers.
• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Applicants with post-baccalaureate experience must have a graduate GPA of at least 3.00.
• GRE is not required and is not given weight during the application process. However, GRE scores may strengthen an application if GPA is low. Preferred GRE score above the 40^th percentile in at least one of analytical, quantitative and/or verbal reasoning categories.
  • GRE scores should be sent to Montana State University, Campus Code 4488.
• Application will be evaluated based on a variety of factors including scholastic achievement, work/volunteer experience, professional references, leadership abilities and program fit.
• Application fee of $57 paid online or mailed to MDI. Verify mailing address on the Apply page.

To learn about the Montana Dietetic Internship program costs, please visit the MDI Program Costs Page.

To learn more about the Montana Dietetic Internship see the MDI Program Handbook Page.