Concordia
Concordia students will be prepared to face life’s unscripted challenges and thoughtfully influence the affairs of the world.
Review our FAQs to better understand the requirements and expectations for the program. If you have additional questions, contact our admission team.
| Where does Concordia College's DI/MS program place the strongest emphasis? | Coursework Along with nutrition courses, students have courses in communication studies (Organizational Communication) and business (Leadership: Theory and Application). Supervised Practice Students demonstrate leadership skills while completing their rotations. Community Involvement Students have numerous local opportunities to gain leadership, volunteer or work experience. Master's Capstone Project Students showcase their program knowledge and leadership skills during the capstone. This involves conducting a needs assessment, writing a literature review, creating a project proposal and summarizing the project in a final report. |
| What are the most important details I need to know about the DI/MS program? | * The DI/MS program is 39 semester credits * Students complete the master's capstone as a culminating experience *The graduate course work is completed on campus with the exception of the following courses: Statistics, Applied Dietetic Practice and the Master's Capstone. * The number of credits per semester range from 6 to 10 * Continuous enrollment is required * Following successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the CDR credentialing exam AND have completed your Master of Science in Nutrition. |
| What are the eligibility requirements for the combined DI/MS program? | Students will have: * Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and received a verification statement of knowledge requirements * Earned a C or better in undergraduate courses in advanced nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry * Completed a medical nutrition therapy course within the last 5 years * Completed a graduate or undergraduate course in statistics within the last 5 years NOTE: The GRE is NOT required for application to the program. |
| Is the Covid-19 vaccination required? | Students enrolled in Concordia’s DI/MS are required to comply with all requirements of supervised practice facilities, including immunizations, vaccinations, drug testing, fingerprinting, and criminal background checks, and provide appropriate documentation demonstrating compliance. Currently, some supervised practice facilities are requiring students/interns to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and exemptions are not allowed; some facilities require vaccination but allow approved exemptions; and other facilities do not require vaccination. If a student has not received the COVID-19 vaccination, we will attempt to place the student in supervised practice facilities where either exemptions are allowed (assuming the student's exemption is also approved by the facility) or vaccination is not required. It is possible, however, that supervised practice placements would not be possible due to the student’s missing COVID-19 (or other) vaccination, and thus, the student would not be able to complete the DI/MS as stated in the policy statement below. Failure to receive, comply (according to the requirements of the supervised practice facility), and submit documentation of all required immunizations, vaccinations, drug tests, fingerprinting, and/or criminal background checks will prevent the student from completing the supervised practice requirements of the DI/MS. As a result, the intern will not meet graduation requirements and thus, will not receive a verification statement. |
| Can I complete just one portion of the program, either the Dietetic Internship or the Master of Science? | Concordia's program is truly a combined program, meaning all enrolled students must complete both the dietetic internship and graduate courses to receive the master's degree and verification statement. |
| Can I enroll in the DI/MS program part-time? | The DI/MS program is designed to be completed in 21 months as a full-time student. A part-time option is not available. |
| Is the Concordia College DI/MS program accredited? | Yes, the DI/MS program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 S Riverside Dr, Chicago, IL 60606. |
| How many interns/graduate students are accepted each year? | We accept up to 8 interns/graduate students each year. |
| Does the DI/MS program accept students who are not from Minnesota or not graduates of Concordia College? | Absolutely! We enjoy the diversity and richness that comes from students attending from all over the country. We have had interns from coast to coast. |
| Do all DI/MS interns/graduate students complete their supervised practice rotations in the local area? | Yes, over 80% of the supervised practice facilities we use are located within a 20-minute drive of Concordia College. There are some requiring a 45-minute commute. |
| What does the supervised practice rotation include? | The DI/MS program is designed for students to gain quality experience in three main areas: Medical Nutrition Therapy (hospitals, long-term care facilities) Community (public health departments, wellness, WIC programs, extension offices) Management (colleges, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities) |
| What is the length of time for each supervised practice rotation? |
Medical Nutrition Therapy | 10 weeks Community | 10 weeks Management | 12 weeks |
| What is the schedule for completing graduate courses and supervised practice rotations? | The DI/MS program starts in July with the online course Statistics Research and Analysis. This is followed by graduate courses during the fall and spring semesters of the first year. The first half of supervised practice rotations are completed in the summer. In the fall of the second year, students complete graduate courses only. Spring semester of the second year, students complete the second half of their rotations and complete the master's capstone project. |
| What are the steps to apply to the DI/MS program? | All applications for the DI/MS program at Concordia College are submitted through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). As part of the DICAS application process, students will submit a personalized letter of intent (i.e. personal statement). Transcripts should also be submitted through DICAS, and once a student is accepted, official transcripts showing degree and graduation date should be sent directly to the DI/MS program director. |
| Who should provide the references for my application? | Professors and supervisors from work or volunteer experiences are recommended. Select someone who writes well and can describe your work ethic, strengths and relationships to others. |
| Why is nutrition-related volunteer or work experience so strongly encouraged? | Preceptors are interested in interns/graduate students who might be hired in the future, and who have proven themselves as dependable employees. Students who have some nutrition-related experience tend to adjust better to the pace of supervised practice rotations. |
| Will I need immunizations and a background check for the DI/MS program? | Yes, following match and acceptance into the program, the DI/MS Director will provide you with a list of immunization requirements. Before completing supervised practice rotations, students are required to have background check(s) done, and additional immunizations. Some facilities also require drug testing and fingerprinting. |
| What type of advising/mentoring can I expect from the DI/MS program director and faculty during the program? | You will have access to full-time faculty and the DI/MS Director (100% with doctorates in their respective fields) who are committed and dedicated to your success in the program and beyond. The DI/MS Director will act as your advisor throughout the program. |
| Will there be emphasis placed on practicing for the CDR exam? | Yes, student success on the CDR exam is one of our main goals. Students will complete an in-depth review of all sections within the exam, take practice tests, and at the end of the program, participate in a two-day comprehensive review. |
| What are the benefits from completing the master's capstone project? | The master's capstone project is where students can fully showcase the skills, knowledge and experience they have acquired throughout the program. The capstone can be used as a strong example of your work when applying for dietitian positions and can potentially be implemented in organizations where you are employed in the future. |
| How much does the DI/MS program cost? | See full information about tuition, fees, and living costs on the Program Costs page. |
| Can I receive financial assistance for the DI/MS program at Concordia? | Yes, eligibility for loan programs will be based on the FAFSA. Students enrolled in the DI/MS program can be eligible for federal student loans for graduate coursework, which allows a maximum loan of $20,500 or the cost of the program, whichever is less per year. Currently, there are no institutional grants or scholarships available for a master's program. Thanks to a very generous Concordia alumna and spouse, Janet and George Dahlman, Concordia dietetic interns' registration, airfare, and lodging to attend the Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) is covered. FNCE will be held in Minneapolis, MN in October 2024. |
| Is it possible to have a job/work during the DI/MS program? | Yes! Students are welcome to hold part-time jobs during the first academic year, but must leave employment prior to beginning supervised practice rotations. Fortunately, most students are able to return to their part-time jobs in the fall of their second year in the program. There are several nutrition and dietetic-related jobs for the DI/MS students in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Examples include working in a hospital diet office or call center, aids in long-term care facilities, teaching at the YMCA or a wellness center. See the Community Resources page for opportunities. |
| Will I need a car during my time in the program? | Yes, students will need a car for travel to and from campus and supervised practice facilities. Students must have a valid driver's license and are expected to adhere to state requirements for auto insurance. |
| Who is responsible for finding housing while I attend the DI/MS program? | Students in the DI/MS program make their own housing arrangements. The DI/MS Director surveys current students in the program for information about living arrangements, and provides these helpful answers to incoming students. |
Understand the costs and fees related to the program. Find information for financial aid.
learn moreAll faculty have doctorates in their respective fields. They are dedicated to your success throughout the program.
meetConcordia students will be prepared to face life’s unscripted challenges and thoughtfully influence the affairs of the world.
Contact the admission team at DietInternship@cord.edu with questions about the program.
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