Nutrition

MSCN/DI track: Students must have earned a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement by the start of the DI program, have been accepted to the WCU MS in Community Nutrition (MSCN) program using the graduate admission requirements, and meet the DI admissions requirements to apply to the Dietetic Internship (MSCN/DI Track).

Post-Master’s DI Certificate:  Students pursuing the Post-Master’s Dietetic Internship Certificate Program must hold a DPD verification statement, have earned a graduate degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA, and meet the DI admissions requirements to apply to the DI.

All eligible dietetic internship applicants have two application options for applying to either of the two tracks of the WCU Dietetic Internship (MSCN/DI or Post-Master’s Dietetic Internship Certificate).

Each of these options are outlined below:

Option 1 (Traditional DICAS application):

All applicants must participate in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS) which includes meeting WCU DI Program Application Deadline of January 15. Applicants are responsible for fees directly to DICAS as well as for the WCU graduate program application fee. 

Option 2 (WCU Early Decision application): 

The early decision option is open for any of the following:

1. WCU DPD students and program graduates
2. WCU Accelerated BS to MS students
3. WCU MSCN students and program graduates

 Eligible early decision applications must submit an early decision application to DI Director for review by the WCU Dietetic Internship Selection Committee by October 1. Candidates should complete the Early Decision Candidate Survey on to receive Slate Early Decision Application Link.

Please visit the DI Early Decision Page on our website, or contact the Dietetic Internship Director, Dr. Danielle Kronmuller for more information regarding the early decision application and process. If not accepted into the Dietetic Internship during the pre-select process, student applicants are eligible to participate in the traditional application process through Spring match with DICAS (January 15 deadline).

For WCU MSCN/DI Spring Application, applicants must participate in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS) process, which includes meeting all the January 15 Application deadline. Applicants are responsible for fees paid directly to DICAS as well as for the WCU graduate admission application fee. Visit ACEND’s website for more detail.

Please connect with the graduate program coordinator and dietetic internship director to ensure you meet the admission criteria for the DI and understand the process.

Applying to the Dietetic Internship

Step 1: Complete the DICAS application and be sure to address the following required WCU Program Materials:

• Answer all WCU specific questions in DICAS.
• Include three letters of recommendation:
  • Candidates within two years of degree completion, should submit two faculty and one employment/volunteer supervisor recommendation.
  • Candidates greater than two years from degree completion are welcome to submit any combination of recommendations from professional sources such as faculty or employment/volunteer supervisors.
• Write and include a personal statement including 1,000 words or less. Be sure to answer the following questions within your personal statement –
  • What areas of nutrition are you interested in and why?
  • What are your professional goals?
  • Why do you want to complete the MSCN and DI at WCU?
• Include current resume in PDF (eportfolio not required but will be reviewed if included) 
• Recency of Education Form (if DPD Verification Statement was issued five or more years ago)
   

Step 2: Complete a virtual interview with West Chester University’s DI Committee

• Only candidates being considered for acceptance through Spring application will be contacted for a virtual interview in February.
• Prepare for the virtual interview the same way you would for an in-person interview.  Be prepared. Dress professionally.   Minimize external distractions.  Ensure your technology systems work appropriately before the interview. Confirm date and time of the interview.
• Please contact WCU's Dietetic Internship Director, Dr. Danielle Kronmuller for any DI application questions.

Step 3:  After you have been accepted to and confirmed position in WCU DI Program, request meeting with DI Director to discuss preceptors. After you have found a preceptor for each rotation (Clinical I Inpatient, Clinical II Outpatient, Community, and Food Service Management), preceptors will need to fill out & submit the DI Preceptor Selection & Commitment Form   and provide updated resume, unless otherwise specified by DI Director.

Make sure that each preceptor has reviewed the rotation requirements in the Checklist and Evaluation form for that specific rotation (Clinical I, Clinical II, Community, or Foodservice Management).  DI Preceptor Selection & Commitment Forms (or other specific confirmation of rotation placement) and preceptor resume will be submitted directly to DI Director via email by intern or preceptor.

Preceptor Commitments should be submitted to DI Director no later than February 15 of the semester before the start of your Dietetic Internship for Clinical I Inpatient and Community and no later than April 30 before the start of your Dietetic Internship for Clinical Outpatient and Food Service Management.

Step 4: Complete the DI Distance Rotation Schedule Template.

Dietetic Internship Rotation Schedule Template 2025-2026 or Dietetic Internship Rotation Schedule Template 2026-2027 form serves as the candidates proposed supervised practice rotation schedule for all rotations over the fall and spring semesters.  Please submit your DI Distance Rotation Schedule Template after your placements have been confirmed or by the start of your Dietetic Internship (whichever comes first). Please contact WCU's Dietetic Internship Director, Dr. Danielle Kronmuller for any DI application questions.

Traditional DICAS Match:

Dietetic Internship candidates applying through traditional DICAS for Spring to the MSCN/DI or the Post-Master’s Certificate programs will be notified by DI Director of Program Admission Status no later than March 1.
Applicants that have been accepted to the WCU Dietetic Internship program must submit formal acceptance of dietetic internship program spot no later than March 15. 

Early Decision Applicants:

Dietetic internship candidates applying thought the Fall early decision WCU MCSN/DI process will be notified by DI Director of Program Acceptance Status no later than November 1. Applicants that have been accepted to the WCU Dietetic Internship program must submit formal acceptance of dietetic internship program spot no later than November 15.  

Early decision candidates who accept the WCU DI program slot may not apply for any other DI programs through DICAS.
Early decision candidates who are not accepted or decline the program slot invitation may re-apply through DICAS to the WCU MSCN/DI program by the spring DICAS deadline of January 15. 

 Applicants are responsible to arrange preceptors and rotation schedules. Preceptors should be secured by February 15 of the year of your Dietetic Internship for Clinical I Inpatient and Community and April 30 of the year of your Dietetic Internship for Clinical II Outpatient and Food Service Management. New placements require the execution of an Affiliation Agreement between WCU and the rotation site, working ahead of schedule allows for ample time for this process.
 
Where to Find Preceptors

• Contact the Dietetic Internship Director, Dr. Danielle Kronmuller to discuss previously used sites and new site ideas local to where you live or have the ability to move to.
• Start early – many preceptors start booking interns a year in advance. Work with DI Director no later than the Fall prior to your internship year to start working on preceptor placements.
• Discuss with your academic professors, your DPD program director, advisors, classmates.
• Join LinkedIn and use it to search RDs in your area.
• Attend local dietetic association meetings, conferences, community events, and other programs. Introduce yourself, ask for business cards or if it would be okay for you to reach out about potential internship opportunities.
• The accrediting body of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintains a list of RDs who have indicated that they are willing to be Preceptors. You may find the list on the Find a Preceptor Page.
• Google local area to search RDNs and location sites
• If you have contacted a preceptor and they are unable to host you, ask if they have suggestions.
• Do NOT email or call without being prepared - prior to contacting a potential preceptor or site, read about the facility, their programs and offerings, who the contact person is, etc. and meet with DI Director to fully understand rotation schedules, dates/time requirements, and other information that might be needed.

Each intern must successfully complete all supervised practice rotations which includes a minimum of 1000 supervised practice hours and the five graduate courses associated with the DI. No credit will be given for prior learning experiences or competence. All graduate program prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to beginning the supervised practice component of the internship. These courses are intended to provide interns with the foundation of knowledge and tools needed to complete the foodservice, clinical, and community rotations.