Apply to this Program

1. Submit your application to DICAS

Apply to the Missouri State Dietetic Internship (DI) or Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) programs via Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS).

• Submit your application to DICAS by 11:59 p.m. (central time) on February 15, 2024.
• DICAS application fee: $50 for the first application and $25 for each additional application, payable to DICAS.
• Applications become property of Missouri State University. No application materials will be returned.

Missouri State specific criterion

• Personal philosophy statement: Addresses applicant’s professional career goals and how the MSND or DI program will help accomplish these goals, in addition to discussing the applicant's strengths and areas of improvement.
• Recommendation letters: Three recommendation letters received with one being a dietetic academic reference, another from a work or volunteer reference, with final reference being the applicant’s choice.
• Resume: Include work and volunteer experience, as well as involvement in college and/or community activities.

2. Register for matching

• Register at D&D Digital by 11:59 p.m. (central time) on February 15, 2024.
• Select Dietetic Internship priority rankings by 11:59 p.m. (central time) on March 27, 2023.
• Pay the D&D Digital registration fee: $65.

3. Know the selection and interview process

For selection considerations and interview information, please review the program's admission requirements.

4. Find out if you've been accepted

Applicant notification day is April 2, 2023, 6 p.m. central time.

Applicants who receive a match to the Missouri State University MSND and DI programs must email the program director to accept or decline the match on or before 6 p.m. central time on April 3, 2023. This letter of acceptance or rejection email should be made to Hillary Roberts, EdD, RDN, LD, Program Director, Missouri State University at HRoberts@MissouriState.edu.

5. Await second-round matching (if needed)

If Missouri State University MSND and Dietetic Internship programs have open spots after first-round matching, second-round matching will begin at 11 a.m. (central time), April 5, 2023.

Applications will be accepted from 11 a.m. central time on April 5 through 11 a.m. on April 10, 2023.

• Submit your application to DICAS.
• Beginning April 5 and continuing until all spots are filled, the selection committee will review applications, select applicants for a telephone interview and conduct these interviews.
• Applicants who are selected will be invited into the program after their telephone interview until the spots are filled.

6. Apply to the Graduate College

After accepting the match to the MSND or Dietetic Internship, you will be admitted to Missouri State's Graduate College.

The $55 Graduate College application fee will be waived.

7. Pay confirmation deposit

Once you're admitted into the MSND or Dietetic Internship and the Graduate College and receive your BearPass log-in, you must pay a placeholder fee of $500. This fee is known as the confirmation deposit.

The deadline to pay this fee is four weeks after the spring match Appointment Day occurring in April of each year.

Pay confirmation deposit

Selection considerations

All applications are initially screened by the following criteria:

Completeness of application

This requires a completed application through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS).

Grade point average

You need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 over the last 60 hours of academic work.

Work and/or volunteer experience described in resume

We would like to see nutrition, dietetic, or research-related work and/or volunteer experience.

Applications meeting these criteria are reviewed by the Program Director and Application Review Committee.

All applicants meeting our admission criterion are then contacted for a virtual interview. 

Interviews are an opportunity for you to share additional information about your qualifications, demonstrate your knowledge and critical thinking skills, and learn more about the MSU MS-Nutrition and Dietetics or Dietetic Internship programs as needed.

After thorough discussions of competitive applicants, the Application Review Committee ranks applicants for the matching process.

Concentration areas

There are two areas of concentration in the dietetic internship certificate program: rural health or public affairs. You will choose only one concentration area after being admitted into the program.

Throughout the first semester, you will submit three project proposals, providing rationale for the concentration area you wish to pursue.

You will meet with the program director throughout this process to discuss and design your unique practicum that meets your interests. You are primarily responsible for designing this practicum.