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College of Health Sciences

Admission Requirements

For UofM and non-UofM students

The program is approved for 16 interns. Preference will be given to outstanding graduates of the UofM undergraduate Dietetics program, or those expected to graduate by August of the same year. We do not offer conditional admission.

To be eligible for acceptance into the program, students choosing either option must complete the following requirements:

Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required.

If you did not receive your undergraduate degree within the U.S., you must have your transcripts analyzed and complete all required undergraduate courses before consideration. Email Mary Catherine Schallert for more information.

Application Procedures: UofM Students

1. Submit Application

2. Submit Additional Required Documents

Email to program director Dr. Tracy Bruen at tracy.bruen@memphis.edu. References may also email their letters directly to Dr. Bruen.

Required Documents:

  1. One official transcript from each undergraduate school attended
  2. Three letters of recommendation:
    • At least one must be from your DPD director
    • Others may come from those familiar with your academic, nutrition, or food-related work
  3. Personal statement of goals and professional interests. Include:
    • How you became interested in the field of nutrition
    • Your personal goals
    • How your skills from work, school, or hobbies will help you as a dietitian
    • Special challenges you have faced
    • Explanation of any application deficiencies (if applicable)

    Your personal statement should be no more than two pages, with strong grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

  4. Declaration of intent to complete an ACEND-approved DPD, or Verification Statement of Completion (obtained from your DPD director)

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with new cohorts beginning every summer. Students must notify the program director in writing of their acceptance no later than March 15. Please email acceptance or denial to Dr. Tracy Bruen at tracy.bruen@memphis.edu.

Application Procedures: Non-UofM & International Students

Required materials through DICAS:

  • Three letters of recommendation (one must be from your DPD director)
  • Personal statement (spell-check and have at least two faculty review)
  • Transcripts

Please consult your DPD director for guidance on navigating DICAS.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with new cohorts beginning every summer. Students must notify the program director in writing of their acceptance no later than March 15. Submit acceptance or denial through DICAS to the program director.

On Acceptance to Program

  • Copy of official final transcripts for all colleges attended
  • Verification Statement obtained from your ACEND-approved DPD
  • Application for Graduate School (do not apply until you receive instructions from the director)

Dietetic Intern Evaluation Process

The evaluation of the dietetic intern uses both formative (progress-focused) and summative (final assessment) strategies. Policies ensure frequent feedback and clarity on program requirements:

  1. Frequent verbal feedback from preceptors, faculty, and director
  2. Completion of 100% of assigned learning activities with competency-based evaluation
  3. Maintain 3.0 GPA in graduate courses
  4. Completion of all projects with scores ≥4/5 on evaluations
  5. Professionalism is mandatory (respect, integrity, confidentiality, punctuality, etc.)
  6. Intern self-assessments throughout rotations

Failure to meet standards may result in probation, remediation, or dismissal from the program.

Program Completion Requirements

To earn the Dietetic Internship Verification Statement, interns must:

  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in graduate courses and graduate
  • Complete all supervised practice rotations and staff relief with evaluation ≥3 (Entry Level)
  • Complete all competency outcome paperwork

Interns must not:

  • Disregard program/department/institution policies
  • Be absent or late without cause or notice
  • Act dishonestly
  • Use/possess alcohol or illegal drugs before or during duties
  • Violate confidentiality

Program director decisions on intern disposition include:

  1. Improvement with continuation
  2. Additional time required (up to two semesters)
  3. Dismissal from the program

Successful Completion of Internship

Once all requirements are verified, interns receive signed and dated Verification Statements (with non-black ink to distinguish originals). Verification requires two dates: program completion date and signature date.

Contact Dr. Tracy Bruen at tracy.bruen@memphis.edu with any questions.