2012 WCU Dietetic Internship Application Instructions
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Pre-Select Process Selection Criteria Faculty Facilities University Costs Program Calendar Graduation Requirements Accreditation Status Contact Information
- Available to students with a baccalaureate degree an DPD Verification Statement for admission
- Offers at least 1080 hours of supervised and 160 hours of didactic learning experiences that are inline with the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Eduation 2002 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards (ERAS)
- Designed to give students entry-level competence in dietetic practice
- Offers supervised practice that qualifies graduates for the Examination for Registered Dietitians
Dietetic Internship Courses
The Dietetic Internship currently provides 12 credits of graduate coursework comprised of three eight-week (40 hours per week) practicum courses (administrative, clinical, and community dietetics). The 9 month program follows WCU's academic calendar beginning in the fall semester and concluding the following spring semester.
The Dietetic Internship is an elective component of the graduate degree requirements for a Master of Health Sciences (M.H.S.) degree with a specialization concentration in nutrition.
ND 680 Concepts and Methods of Dietetic Practice 3 credits
ND 681 Practicum in Clinical Dietetics 3 credits
ND 682 Practicum in Administrative Dietetics 3 credits
ND 683 Practicum in Community Dietetics 3 credits
TOTAL 12 credits
Studets who successfully complete the DI Program will accrue 9 graduate credit hours toward a Master of Science Degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Nutrition.
Dietetic Internship Mission Statement
The Mission of the WCU Dietetic Internship is to create and maintain a high quality learning environment that fosters critical thinking, the acquisition of knowledge, and appreciation of life-long learning that is necessary for graduates to become proficient dietetics health professionals.
The WCU Dietetic Internship has three goals with measurable outcomes to assess goal achievement. Dietetic Internship goals are supported by the overall mission of WCU as well the new program mission and are based upon the 2002 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards (ERAS).
Goal One: Prepare entry level generalist dietitians who have achieved basic competence in clinical, administrative and community dietetics.
Outcome measures:
- 80% of graduates seeking employment in dietetics or graduate school placement will be successfully placed within nine months of internship completion.
- Graduates will achieve an 80% pass rate over a 5 year period for first-time takers of the RD Exam.
- 90% of employers will rate WCU Dietetic Internship graduates entry level competent (3) or higher on Likert scale.
Goal Two: Attract and retain well-qualified dietetic interns.
Outcome Measures:
- 80% of interns who begin the internship will complete the program in 14 months.
-50% or more of dietetic interns entering the program will exceed the admission criteria with a DPD GPA of 3.5.
Goal Three: Cultivate the pursuit of life-long learning professional development activities.
Outcome Measures:
- 90% of graduates will report participating in continuing education activities when surveyed within 12 months of graduation.
- 50% of graduates will complete graduate school within the five years of graduation.
- 80% of graduates will maintain registration status five years after initial attainment of RD credential.
Pre-Select Process
The WCU Dietetic Internship (DI) participates in the pre-select option to computer matching. In the pre-select process, the program can select six students per year who have met the admission requirements for the DI. The program has the option to fill the remaining six positions through the computer match.
For those who plan to participate in the pre-select process, December 14, 2010 is the deadline for applications. The applicant will be notified on January 28, 2011 confirming her/his acceptance or rejection into the program through the pre-select process.
If pre-selected, the applicant will be required to complete a form including social security number and original signature. The program director must submit this form by February 15, 2011 to D&D Digital Systems, Inc. to ensure that the applicant will not participate in the April 2011 computer match.
If the applicant is not selected through the pre-select process, they may apply to this or any other DI through the computer-matching process.
Applicants participating in computer matching should request instructions and a mark/sense card to prioritize their DI preferences. Applicants should request this material from any CADE-accredited/approved Didactic Program in Dietetics program director or from D&D Digital Systems, Inc.
D&D Digital Systems may be contacted at:
304 Main Street
Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-292-0490
Fax: 515-663-9427
E-mail: dnd@netins.net
Web: http://www.dnddigital.com/
This request should be made to allow turnaround time for submitting by a February 15, 2011 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.
To be selected via the pre-select process, applicants must be:
- Graduates of the WCU DPD program
- Current WCU students enrolled in the DPD program who plan to complete the program by May of the following year
- Students already enrolled in the M.H.S. program who have completed or will complete DPD requirements by the following May. Currently enrolled M.H.S. students are not required to be graduates of the WCU DPD program to participate in the pre-select process. Any applicant with a verification statement (completion or intent to complete) from any ADA-accredited DPD program may apply for admission via computer matching. Computer matched applicants are not required to be WCU students.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria for competitive admission to the Dietetic Internship include:
- Cumulative grade point average/grade point average in DPD coursework - 3.2 minimum
- GRE scores - 900 cumulative minimum
- Volunteer or paid experience in nutrition and dietetics (preferably with registered dietitians in a variety of work settings)
- Recommendations
- Letter of application
- Resume
- Interview - See latest application guidelines.
- Selection committee rank based on a live interview with the dietetic internship director, nutrition faculty, and some preceptors (conducted in January for pre-select applicants and in early February for computer-matching applicants).
Faculty
All courses are taught by WCU faculty who hold graduate faculty status and are registered dietitians. During on-site supervised practice experiences, registered dietitians work directly with students in planning, conducting, and evaluating learning activities.
Facilities
Affiliation agreements are held between WCU and 18 regional health care facilities in Western Carolina and several in South Carolina, including hospitals and health departments in Asheville, Black Mountain, Franklin, Hendersonville, Morganton, Murphy, Sylva, and Waynesville. Thus, students are exposed to a variety of learning experiences to prepare them for careers in dietetics.
Cooperating facilities include:
- Angel Medical Center, Franklin, NC
- Asheville Kidney Center, Asheville, NC
- Broughton Hospital, Morganton, NC
- Harris Regional Hospital, Sylva, NC
- Haywood Regional Medical Center, Clyde, NC
- Jackson, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and Transylvania County Health Departments
- Margaret Pardee Memorial Hospital, Henderson, NC
- Park Ridge Hospital, Fletcher, NC
- Mission+St. Joseph's Hospital, Asheville, NC
- Transylvania Community Hospital, Brevard, NC
- VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC
- Highlands Cashiers Hospital, Highlands, NC
- Cherokee Indian Hospital, Cherokee, NC
- Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg, SC
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
- Black Mountain Center, Black Mountain, NC
University
Western Carolina University’s main campus is located in the high hill country 50 miles west of Asheville, North Carolina. The approximately 600-acre campus lies in the beautiful valley of the Tuckaseigee River between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Approximately 8,665 students are enrolled at WCU, which is one of sixteen constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. Read more about WCU.
Dietetic Internship Application Instructions(PDF)
Costs
The Dietetic Intern is responsible for paying the stated program fees by the specified dates. The Intern assumes personal responsibility for living expenses throughout the entire program. Opportunities to attend professional meetings with registration fees are identified to the intern class; the intern has the option of not attending if costs are excessive.
Tuition and fees depend upon the total number of hours taken during the semester. The North Carolina legislature set tuition annually. Check the WCU website for updates. Financial aid and scholarship information is available from the WCU Office of Student Aid (phone number 828-227-7290).
Listed below are expenses and approximate costs:
$3,251.50/semester Resident Tuition for 9 graduate hours
$8,044.00/semester Non-Resident Tuition for 9 graduate hours
$1,577.50/semester University Fee for Resident and Non Resident
$ 50.00/year Graduate School Application Fee
$ 60.00/year WCU Campus Parking Permit
$600.00/mth Rent
$ 75.00/mth Utilities
$200.00/mth Transportation/Parking
$200.00/mth Food
$ 60.00/mth Cell phone
$ 50.00/yr ADA Student Membership
$500.00/yr Textbooks/project supplies
$ 40.00/yr Lab Coat
$900.00/yr Health Insurance (varies)
$500.00/yr Auto Insurance (varies)
$ 25.00/yr Liability Insurance
$ 99.00/yr Hepatitis (3 shots)
$ 5.00/yr TB Skin testing
$ 10.00/yr Flu vaccine
$ 30.00/yr Criminal Background Check
$20,067.80 Total Estimated Expenses (NC Resident)
$29,652.80 Total Estimated Expenses (Non-NC Resident)
The length of the dietetic internship is two academic semesters. A new class of dietetic interns begins according to WCU's Fall 2011 Academic calendar. The dietetic internship is completed the following Spring 2012 semester. supervised practice rotations are 40 hour weeks. Additional time is required for rotation preparation and to complete assignments.
Vacation
During the Dietetic Internship interns are provided with three weeks of vacation. Vacation will occur the last week of December, the first week of January, and a week between the second and third practicums. At the beginning of the program, the Dietetic Internship Director informs interns of the scheduled weeks of vacation.
Holidays
The intern is entitled to the following holidays, most to be observed on the actual day in which the holiday falls: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following Thanksgiving. Interns might be assigned to work no more than one holiday. If so, the intern will be scheduled off on another day. The alternate holiday will be scheduled within thirty days of the missed actual holiday. The Dietetic Internship Director will inform the intern if he/she is scheduled to work the observed holiday.
The intern must meet graduation requirements as stated in the Agreement Form between the Intern and the College of Health and Human Sciences (see the Agreement Form). The intern must sign and date the agreement proceeding internship start date. If the intern refuses to sign the Agreement Form he/she cannot begin the program. The intern must complete all program and self assessments as well as exit interview with the Dietetic Internship Director. The intern must demonstrate no misconduct, academic or non-academic, and must perform ethically in accordance with the values of the American Dietetic Association. The intern will receive a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement, following successful completion of the dietetic internship.
The Dietetic Internship Program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), the accrediting agency for the American Dietetic Association, in 2010.
CADE contact information:
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600 Ext. 5400
For further information about the Dietetic Internship, contact Dietetic Internship Director, Sherry Robison at 828-227-2659 or smrobison@email.wcu.edu.