Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics Leadership

Program Description

The mission of the combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics Leadership at Concordia College is to prepare thoughtful and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for advanced leadership roles in careers related to food, nutrition, and dietetics.

The combined Dietetic Internship (DI) and Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics Leadership instills an appreciation of the importance and necessity of leadership for entry-level professional practice in the dietetics profession. The program provides the graduate study and degree requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and exceeds the minimum 1200 hours of supervised practice experience (dietetic internship) necessary to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). A minimum of 39 semester credits are required for completion of the program. Students must be enrolled full-time every semester/summer in order to complete the combined DI/MS.

The Applied Dietetic Practice courses make use of food service management, community, and clinical facilities throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area and surrounding communities. Applied Dietetic Practice I is completed in the summer between the two academic years. Applied Dietetic Practice II is completed in the final spring semester. Students also complete their master’s capstone project in the final spring semester. The Applied Dietetic Practice courses, Master’s Capstone, and Statistics and Research Analysis are offered online; all other courses are offered on campus.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: The program will prepare graduates to take the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

  • At least 80% of program interns complete the program/degree requirements within 33 months (150 percent of planned program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  • The program’s first-time pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam on the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Goal 2: The program will prepare graduates for advancement into management or leadership positions in food, nutrition, dietetics or related fields.

  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate ”agree” or “strongly agree” for graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice.
  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate “agree” or “strongly agree” for graduates having demonstrated effective leadership.
  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate “agree” or “strongly agree” for graduates having demonstrated effective management skills.

Goal 3: The program will prepare graduates to work effectively as part of an interprofessional team. 

  • At least 80% of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" for their preparation to work effectively as part of an interprofessional team. 
  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" for graduates having worked effectively as part of an interprofessional team. 
  • At least 80% of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" that there were adequate opportunities throughout the DI/MS to develop effective written communication skills. 
  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" for graduates having demonstrated effective written communication skills. 
  • At least 80% of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" that there were adequate opportunities throughout the DI/MS to develop effective public speaking skills.
  • At least 80% of employers of program graduates indicate "agree" or "strongly agree" for graduates having demonstrated effective public speaking skills. 

Program outcomes data are available upon request by contacting the program director at wagner@cord.edu.

Accreditation Statement

The combined DI/MS at Concordia College is currently granted accreditation by the

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400

and the Higher Learning Commission. The combined DI/MS is designed to meet the supervised practice requirements for a dietetic internship and the academic requirements to obtain a graduate degree. Graduates of the combined DI/MS will be issued a verification statement, indicating they have completed the ACEND requirements and will be eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists.

Admission Criteria

In addition to the Concordia College admission criteria for a graduate degree program, applicants for the combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition must have:

  1. Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the ACEND and received a verification statement of completion of the knowledge requirements.
  2. Earned a grade of C or better in undergraduate courses in advanced nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry.
  3. Completed a medical nutrition therapy course within the last five years.
  4. Completed a graduate or undergraduate course in statistics within the last five years.

Admission Procedures

Applicants for the combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition must have:

  1. Submitted an application via the online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS)
  2. Registered for computer matching via D&D Digital Matching
  3. Submitted (or plan to submit) an original verification statement from the regionally accredited undergraduate institution granting the baccalaureate degree in nutrition and dietetics or closely related field
  4. Submitted an online, nonrefundable $40 application fee

Admission Process

DICAS will be available in fall 2023 for the spring 2024 match. The online application must be completed for Concordia’s program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date designated by DICAS.

The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.

Applicants must also register online for computer matching and select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date designated by D&D Digital Matching. There is a $55 computer matching fee.

Applicants must submit an online application fee of $40 to Concordia College.

As part of the DICAS application, applicants must submit a personal statement specific to the Concordia College DI/MS. The personal statement should include a discussion of why they are selecting the Concordia College DI/MS, why they feel they are a good fit for the DI/MS, and future goals in relation to program experiences.

The Concordia College DI/MS maintains the option of conducting interviews of internship applicants; however, an interview is not required in order to be considered for admission to the program.

Students will be notified of their acceptance into the program by D&D Digital Matching on the Dietetic Internship appointment day in April as described on the D&D Digital website.

Students shall secure their spot in the Concordia College DI/MS by submitting an online, non-refundable deposit of $500. Students will receive an email notice from Concordia Graduate and Continuing Studies with their student ID and password, email address, and instructions for making their deposit. The deposit will be applied to the first fall tuition payment.

Tuition and Fees

For information on tuition, fees, financial aid, and loan deferments, please visit www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/dieteticinternship.

Dropping Courses

Due to limitations on the cohort size, students enrolled in the DI/MS are not allowed to drop a graduate course without accompanying withdrawal from the DI/MS.

Repeating Courses

Due to limitations on the cohort size, students enrolled in the DI/MS are not allowed to repeat graduate courses. If a student earns a grade of C- or lower in any course, the student will need to completely withdraw from the program.

Academic Leave

Due to limitations on the cohort size, students enrolled in the DI/MS are not eligible for academic leave.

Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal

Due to limitations on the cohort size, students enrolled in the DI/MS who are placed on academic suspension will need to completely withdraw from the program.

Contact Information

Meredith G. Wagner, Ph.D., RDN, LRD, FAND
Director, Combined Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition with emphasis in Dietetics Leadership
Director, Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Education
Chair, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
Associate Professor, Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3755 / email: wagner@cord.edu

Gwen W. Halaas, MD, MBA
Dean of Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.4981 / email: ghalaas@cord.edu 

Susan J. Larson, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
Concordia College
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
218.299.3001 / email: vpaa@cord.edu

Graduate Teaching Faculty

Meredith G. Wagner, Ph.D., RDN, LRD, FAND, Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
Hannah K. Wilson, Ph.D., RDN, LRD, Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
Betsy Cogan, Ph.D., Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science
Kirsten Theye, Ph.D., Communication Studies and Theatre Art
Aileen L.S. Buslig, Ph.D., Communication Studies and Theatre Art
Shontarius D. Aikens, Ph.D., Offutt School of Business
Philip C. Lemaster, Ph.D., Psychology

Major Requirements

The requirements for a Master of Science in Nutrition are listed below.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SummerHours
DATA 608 Statistics & Research Analysis (online course) 4
 Hours4
Fall
Select one of the following groupings: 6-7
Advanced Study of Micronutrients
and Dietetics Management
and Leadership: Theory and Application
Advanced Study of Macronutrients
and Organizational Communication
 Hours6-7
Spring
FND 604 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy 4
COM 617 Applied Research Methods in Communication 4
 Hours8
Second Year
Summer
FND 606 Applied Dietetic Practice I (online course) 4
 Hours4
Fall
Select one of the following groupings: 6-7
Advanced Study of Macronutrients
and Organizational Communication
Advanced Study of Micronutrients
and Dietetics Management
and Leadership: Theory and Application
 Hours6-7
Spring
FND 605 Master's Capstone (online course) 4
FND 607 Applied Dietetic Practice II (online course) 4
 Hours8
 Total Hours36-38

For information on the academic and program schedule, please visit www.ConcordiaCollege.edu/dieteticinternship.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree and verification statement from Concordia College indicating successful completion of the program must satisfy all general requirements set forth by Concordia College as well as the following requirements set forth by the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science.

Successful completion of a minimum of 39 credits:

COM 614Organizational Communication4
COM 617Applied Research Methods in Communication4
BUSN 662Leadership: Theory and Application3
DATA 608Statistics & Research Analysis3-4
FND 600Advanced Study of Macronutrients2
FND 601Nutrition Counseling and Education2
FND 602Advanced Study of Micronutrients2
FND 604Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy4
FND 606Applied Dietetic Practice I 14
FND 607Applied Dietetic Practice II 14
FND 609Dietetics Management2
FND 605Master's Capstone4
Total Hours38-39
1

FND 606 Applied Dietetic Practice I and FND 607 Applied Dietetic Practice II are each graded with IP until completion of these courses.

Credits from upper-division nutrition and dietetics courses will not be accepted nor will exemptions be made for prior experience.

Successful completion of a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice experience (dietetic internship).

Successful completion of a master’s capstone project with oral presentation at a professional event.

All course requirements must be completed with at least a grade of C. An overall GPA in the graduate program must be a 3.0 or higher.

Courses

BUSN 662  -  Leadership: Theory and Application,  3 credits.  

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive view of the nature and practice of leadership. Among the topics explored are historical, philosophical and theoretical foundations; ethics and values; power and influence; conflict management; and effective leadership in formal organizations.

BUSN 680  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
Repeatable: Yes  
COM 614  -  Organizational Communication,  4 credits.  

An examination of how communication enacts and affects organizational behavior. Topics include: organizational assimilation, organizational culture, motivation, power, decision making, leadership, learning styles, conflict management, nonverbal communication, organizational ethics, diversity and change management. Emphasis is placed on the ability to apply organizational research and theory to organizational behavior. The course includes readings, experiential exercises, case study discussions, exams and papers.

COM 617  -  Applied Research Methods in Communication,  4 credits.  

A course in scientific inquiry methods in communication, including the study of methods of research design, data collection and analysis. Topics include the ethical application of research methods in various contexts, and the development of applied research methods available to effectively collect and analyze communication data. Prerequisite: Graduate-level statistics or permission of the instructor.

DATA 608  -  Statistics & Research Analysis,  3-4 credits.  

This course allows the student to understand and demonstrate knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics used in research, and apply their knowledge to real-world situations and research questions. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing similarities and differences among statistical tests, and recognizing the essentiality of statistics for producing and comprehending scientific research

DATA 680  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
Repeatable: Yes  
FND 600  -  Advanced Study of Macronutrients,  2 credits.  

This course will explore the advanced metabolism and functions of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in physiological processes. Prerequisite: Biochemistry course.

FND 601  -  Nutrition Counseling and Education,  2 credits.  

This course will explore the advanced principles of nutrition counseling and education for the general population and for individuals with special health needs. Prerequisite: Medical Nutrition Therapy course.

FND 602  -  Advanced Study of Micronutrients,  2 credits.  

This course will explore the advanced metabolism and functions of vitamins and minerals in physiological processes. Prerequisite: Biochemistry course.

FND 603  -  Health Behaviors Across the Lifespan,  2 credits.  

This course will explore developmental stages and theories of health behaviors across the lifespan and among various cultures. Prerequisite: Medical Nutrition Therapy course.

FND 604  -  Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy,  4 credits.  

This course allows the student to utilize knowledge of nutrition, physiology, and other natural sciences in studying nutritional interventions for individuals with complex pathologic conditions. Emphasis will be placed on learning and using evidenced-based recommendations for dietetics practice. Prerequisite: Medical Nutrition Therapy course.

FND 605  -  Master's Capstone,  4 credits.  

This course will serve as the capstone experience for the graduate program in Dietetics Leadership. Students will research, plan, develop, and possibly implement a capstone project that encompasses the knowledge and skills they have gained from the combined dietetic internship and graduate program.

FND 606  -  Applied Dietetic Practice I,  4 credits.  

This course will provide required dietetics-related supervised practice experience in food service management, clinical, and community facilities. This course is a cooperative program between Concordia College and area facilities. During the 16 weeks, students will intern in food service management, clinical, and/or community rotations. These rotations will include working in inpatient hospitals and outpatient clinics, WIC clinics, college, elementary, and high school food service, Extension services, and public health facilities.

Prerequisites: FND 601 and FND 604  
FND 607  -  Applied Dietetic Practice II,  4 credits.  

This course will provide required dietetics-related supervised practice experience in food service management, clinical, and community facilities. This course is a cooperative program between Concordia College and area facilities. During the 16 weeks, students will intern in food service management, clinical, and/or community rotations. These rotations will include working in inpatient hospitals and outpatient clinics, WIC clinics, college, elementary, and high school food service, Extension services, and public health facilities.

Prerequisites: FND 606  
FND 680  -  Special Topics,  0-4 credits.  
Repeatable: Yes  

FND 609  -  Dietetics Management, 2 credits. 
This course will explore management principles and skills needed by dietetics professionals holding management positions. Students will have the opportunity throughout the course to apply skills essential for successful management in all areas of the dietetics profession. Emphasis will be on preparing students for advancement into management or leadership roles in food, nutrition or related fields. 

FND 606 Applied Dietetic Practice I and FND 607 Applied Dietetic Practice II are each graded with IP until completion of these courses.