Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI)

MS/DI students report enriched coursework and appreciate the opportunity to meet virtually and learn from colleagues throughout the US.

For 2024-25 there is 1 DI-only (Non-Degree Graduate Dietetic Internship) opening

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.

The next MS/DI cohort will start in May of 2023. Graduate students will complete online courses for the first year of the program. During the second year of the program, students will complete their supervised practice hours onsite in Montana or Wyoming. The internship will culminate in a professional presentation at the annual Montana Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics conference.

Upon successful completion of the MS/DI track, each student will receive a verification of completion certificate and be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians in order to receive the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential. In addition, the Master of Science degree in Dietetic Systems Leadership will be conferred upon successful completion of all program requirements.

2023 Program Dates

Start Date: May 15, 2023     End Date: May 2025 (dates TBD based on academic calendar)

Students will enroll in online coursework for the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 semesters. The first four semesters of MS/DI will follow the MSU-Bozeman Academic Calendar.

In early August 2024, interns will start the internship portion of the program, which 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 will 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 be expected to travel to Bozeman in early August 2024 for MDI orientation, professional development and sustainable foods foundation and applied weeks.  

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

Coursework

Students will be enrolled as full-time graduate students and will complete a total of 37 graduate-level credits. Students will 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 will have required weekly 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.

Program Cost

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

MS/DI Program Handbook

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