Letter to Prospective Students
Dear Prospective Student:
Thank you for your interest in our combined Master of Science - Dietetic Internship (MS-DI) Program housed in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida. Our department provides an exciting and dynamic environment for graduate study. Students in our program have the opportunity to learn from nationally recognized nutrition experts through the courses they take and by attending seminars sponsored by the Center for Nutritional Sciences. Our graduate curriculum emphasizes the science of nutrition and advanced medical nutrition therapy and provides a solid foundation for understanding and applying research findings to practice. For students who want to complete a thesis, the diverse research interests of our faculty give students a range of options. The internship component of the program includes the opportunity to explore areas of special interest to students through a variety of elective rotations.
The internship provides a foundation for developing entry-level competence in the main areas of dietetics practice (i.e., clinical dietetics, community nutrition, and food service/systems management) and in one of three emphasis areas: General, Research or Sports Nutrition. The General emphasis provides opportunities for students to select two specialty rotations in areas of personal interest, such as Pediatrics, Diabetes, Renal, Oncology, Nutrition Support, Private Practice, Student Health Care and Wellness, Sports Nutrition or Advanced Food Systems/Services Management. Students who select the Research emphasis complete a thesis research project and develop expertise in planning, conducting, analyzing and reporting research results. They also complete one of the specialty rotations listed above. The Sports Nutrition emphasis includes over 1400 hours of sports nutrition experience working with the University of Florida’s 16 NCAA Division 1 sports teams, under the direction of two registered dietitians. (The Sports Nutrition emphasis is limited to one student per year.)
All prospective students must apply to the University of Florida Graduate School and to the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department MS-DI Program (deadlines: December 5, 2008 for the Sports Nutrition emphasis; January 09, 2009 for the General and Research emphases). The University of Florida requires an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) and a competitive score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). All applicants must submit an original copy of their ADA Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree with their application. Applicants for our General and Research emphasis areas must participate in the computer matching process managed by D&D Digital (deadline: February 13, 2009). The Sports Nutrition emphasis is handled through the pre-select option (i.e., no computer matching), and a phone interview is required for those applying for this emphasis area. Applicants will be notified in time to participate in the computer matching process if they are not selected for the Sports Nutrition emphasis, and they are encouraged to apply to our regular program, in which case they must participate in the computer matching process.
Graduates of the University of Florida's combined MS-DI Program are employed in positions throughout the state and country. The program philosophy is one that seeks to prepare students for competent practice and leadership in a demanding, yet rewarding profession. Students desiring careers that require advanced education in nutritional science and/or a background in research should consider applying to our program. We are seeking motivated and intellectually curious students interested in developing critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Our combined MS-DI Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606, 1-800-877-1600.
I appreciate your interest in the University of Florida. Please call me at 352-392-1991 ext. 227 or email me at gkauwell@ufl.edu if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
Gail P.A. Kauwell, PhD, RD, LDN
Professor and Program Director
