MS-DI & DI Program Requirements

  • Baccalaureate Degree
  • Minimum overall GPA 3.0
  • Work experience in nutrition, dietetics, or food service is desirable, but not required.
  • All DPD requirements from an ACEND accredited program must be completed within the past 4 years of applying to Russell Sage College’s Dietetic Internship program. An original, signed copy of the DPD Verification Statement must be provided to the Internship Director before the start of internship.  If date on the DPD Verification statement is greater than 4 years prior to the start of internship, the applicant must demonstrate recency in the field by completing a minimum of four courses equivalent to the following Russell Sage College courses in Nutrition Science:
    • NTR 325 – Community Nutrition
    • NTR 502 – Advanced Food Science
    • NTR 504 – Medical Nutrition Therapy I
    • NTR 517 – Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • Russell Sage College’s Distance Track Dietetic Internship program cannot accept students from states in which we do not have authorization to serve students. All prospective distance applicants must review the State Authorization information for their state of residence.

Selection Criteria

It is the policy of Russell Sage College to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity and non-discrimination. Admission, financial aid, and access to programs will not be influenced or affected in an illegally discriminatory manner by an individual’s race, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Selection CriteriaPoints
Application Form3
Coursework40
Scholarships/Honors5
Sports & Extracurricular Activities8
Certifications5
Professional Conferences, Symposiums & Workshops4
Work Experience20
Volunteer Experience15
Personal Statement20
Letters of Recommendation35
Interview20
Total Possible Score175

Any applicant not selected by the Russell Sage College Dietetic Internship program may make an appointment between May 15 and June 15 with the Dietetic Internship program director to discuss the reasons for not being selected. This appointment will be held via zoom or conducted by phone.

Application Information for Summer 2025

The Russell Sage College Dietetic Internship program and MS-DI will participate in the fall and spring DICAS application cycles. For further details about the program, please contact Dietetic Internship Director, Lisa L. Schmitt, MS, RDN, CDN at [email protected].

Selection Process

1st Pass

Remove all incomplete applications and those with GPA < 3.0.

2nd Pass

Review all applications and remove unsatisfactory ones, such as applications with several negative letters of recommendation.

3rd Pass

Three (3) reviewers score the remaining applicants based on GPA, experience, letters of reference, goals statement and other factors.

Should you be selected to be interviewed, they will be scheduled and held virtually the week of 14th.

4th Pass

Rank applicants based on the average of the reviewers’ scores as well as information gathered on interview day.

Requirements for the ISPP Track 

Please visit the ISPP Track web page for detailed admission and application requirements. 

Questions?

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