The Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is being offered through the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, which has been involved in nutrition education since 1975. The DI program is based upon Accreditation Standards established by The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, 312/899-0040, ext. 5400, www.eatright.org.. Students who successfully complete the Internship and the M.S. degree will be verified for eligibility to write for the ADA Registration Examination, leading to credentialing as a registered dietician (RD).
The mission of The Sam Houston State University Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is to provide excellent supervised practice experience and high quality graduate education that will impart to the interns appropriate educational and professional competencies essential for entry-level dietetic practitioners. The professional practice experiences in dietetics coupled with the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Family and Consumer Science with a recommended minor in Health/Fitness, Business or Education (counseling) enhance the professional caliber of the graduates of this program. This background enables graduates to enter the rapidly expanding field of dietetics with greater professionalism and educational knowledge and service.
The goals of Sam Houston State University Dietetic Internship Program are to:
1. Direct interns to master professional and didactic skills necessary for the successful entry-level generalist dietitians.
2. Provide exposure through excellent didactic experiences and meaningful rotation placements that will augment the knowledge of nutritional support in clinical settings, food service systems management, community nutrition and research, as well as promote learning as the student progresses in the program.
3. Instruct students in the Dietetic Internship in the knowledge necessary to communicate effectively with peers and clients individually and in groups.
4. Prepare professionals who will contribute to the profession and to the community as educators in appropriate dietary practice.
5. Prepare dietetic professionals committed to continuing education and participation in professional organizations.
The philosophy and goals of the Sam Houston State University Dietetic Internship program are consistent with high ethical standards, the philosophy and goals of the University, the College of Humanities and Social Science, the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, and the American Dietetic Association.
Student Learning Outcomes For SH Combined MS in FCS and Dietetic Internship Program
Upon completion of the program, the graduates will:
Admission Requirements and Selection Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to admission to the Dietetic Internship program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University:
1. Acceptance into the Master of Science program in Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University
2. Verification of the completion of the ADA Didactic Program in Dietetics
3. Completion of the DI application sent to the DI Director, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Box 2177, Huntsville, TX 77341-2177
4. Completion of an application in the ADA computer matching system for DI applicants
5. Submission of GRE scores (general)
6. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of non-native speakers of English.
The selection criteria used to rank applicants includes:
1. Statement (in 200 words) of personal and professional philosophy
2. GPAs for general course work, nutrition, and sciences
3. GRE scores (general)
4. Two recommendations from dietetics professionals
5. Honors, awards, activities, and previous work/volunteer experience
The Dietetic Internship Program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University is offered on a full-time basis requiring sixteen months to complete. There is one cohort of ten students beginning in the fall semester. The 1000-hour curriculum includes four rotations, each involving different didactic experiences. The break-down is as follows:
The rotation sites include facilities in Huntsville, Conroe, Houston and Coldspring, Texas. (Interns must furnish their own vehicle, produce proof of automobile insurance and have a valid driver’s license.)
Academic Program Calendar
| Fall Semester | Summer Session | ||
| FCS 579 | 3 hours | FCS 567 | 3 hours |
| FCS 530 | 3 hours | Minor Electives | 6 hours |
| Minor Elective | 3 hours | ||
Total |
9 hours | Total | 9 hours |
| Spring Semester | Fall Semester | ||
| FCS 579 | 3 hours | FCS 579 | 3 hours |
| FCS 575 | 3 hours | FCS 575 | 3 hours |
| Minor Elective | 3 hours | FCS 468X | 3 hours |
| Total | 9 hours | Total | 9 hours |
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Tuition and Fees (subject to change)
Completion of the Combined M.S. and Dietetic Internship Program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University equals 36 semester credit hours. The following (amount of tuition will vary according with citizenship status), tuition and fees should be anticipated:
1. Graduate Application Fee (Non-Refundable) ……$20.00
2. Internship Application (Non-Refundable) ………..$30.00
3. Internship Fee …………………………………..$300.00
4. Tuition Fees (36 Hours)
Texas Resident ………………………………….$5,378.00
Non-Resident ………………………………….$17,103.00
5. Medical Insurance** (Optional)………….. …...$355.00/year
** Interns in the Dietetic Internship Program are required to produce proof of medical insurance coverage or subscribe to the medical insurance program offered by the SHSU Health Center.
Other Expenses
Books/supplies..............................................$450.00
Cost of affiliate memberships...........................$43.00
Estimated Room and Board...........................$6000.00
Workshops, meetings, seminars......................$250.00/year
Application Procedures
Applicants to most Dietetic Internships (DI) must participate in computer matching. Applicants should request instructions and a mark/sense card to prioritize their DI preferences. Applicants should request this material from any CADE-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or from D&D Digital Systems. This request should be made to allow turn around time for submitting by a February 15 postmark deadline. There is no charge for this material. However, there is a $50.00 charge for computer matching that is due with the applicant’s prioritized ranking. Address request to:
D&D Digital Systems 304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010-6148 515/292-0490
dnd@netins.net
Applicants for SHSU should mark program number 225.
Applications to the DI Program, graduate school at SHSU and D&D Digital Systems (computerized matching service) must be postmarked by February 15 to be considered for April appointments (Internships starting in the Fall semester).
Mail Internship applications to:
Director, Dietetic Internship Program
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Box 2177
Huntsville, TX 77341-2177
Applicants must also apply to the Master of Science program in Family and Consumer Sciences at Sam Houston State University. Applicants must request a Graduate Catalog from and mail graduate school applications to:
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Box 2478
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2478
Telephone: (936) 294-1971
FAX: (936) 294-1271
E-mail: graduate@shsu.edu
A $20 non-refundable one-time application fee must accompany the application form. Checks or money orders must be payable to Sam Houston State University. Do not send cash. Deadlines for graduate school applications are August 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester. Sam Houston State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
Expected Outcome
Interns successfully completing this Combined M.S. and Dietetic Internship Program should be able to meet the competencies necessary for the entry-level practitioner in the field of dietetics as delineated in the Accreditation Standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of The American Dietetic Association.
For Further Information
Information on the Combined M.S. and Dietetic Internship Program can be found on our website,
For further information, contact:
Dietetic Internship Program
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2177
Telephone: (936) 294-1250
E-mail: hec_fcs@shsu.edu
Accreditation Status
The Sam Houston State University Dietetic Internship Program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is currently Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. (317) 899-0040, ext. 5400. Website: http://www.eatright.org
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
Sam Houston State University, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the State of Texas, was created in 1879 as Sam Houston Normal Institute. The baccalaureate degree in home economics was first awarded in 1919. A graduate degree in home economics was authorized in 1936. In recent years, much of the focus of the graduate degree has been in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
The campus is also home to a state-of-the-art Health and Kinesiology Center (HKC) for personal fitness training and wellness activities. This facility is available to students at Sam Houston State University at no additional charge and is open for extended hours.
A lovely wooded community, Huntsville has small town atmosphere, but its physical proximity to Houston provides many big city advantages. Just south of Huntsville, Sam Houston State Park offers outdoor recreational activities such as camping, boating, hiking and fishing. The Recreation Office at the university has canoes and other outdoor equipment available for rental.
Housing
The Department of Residence Life offers a variety of housing venues, many of which are designed to meet the needs of graduate students. For more information, contact the Department of Residence Life, Box 2416, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2416. The website for the Department of Residence Life is http://www.shsu.edu/~hou_www/.