Program FAQs

1. What are the eligibility requirements?
2. How are candidates evaluated?
3. What is the deadline for the application and when will I be notified if I have been selected?
4. What is my service obligation to the military?
5. What are the goals of the Program?
6. What costs are associated with the Graduate Program in Nutrition?
7. What is Computer Matching?
8. What kind of rotations will I have during the Internship (phase 2) portion of the Program?
9. Where are the Phase 2 Training/Internship sites located and what are the facilities like?
10. What kind of Masters Degree will be awarded?
11. What coursework will be required for the Masters Degree portion of the Graduate Program of Nutrition?
12. What kind of physical exam or medical exams will be required to apply to the program?

1. What are the eligibility requirements?
The applicant must:

Have graduated from a didactic program in dietetics from an accredited college or university.
Have a signed verification form from the Program Director of a Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Have a combined GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score of at least 297 (new scoring system) or at least 1000 (old scoring system) in the verbal and quantitative portions, and a minimum GRE analytical writing score of 3.5.
Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Meet medical and physical fitness standards. (See question #12 for related content.)
Have a favorable security investigation completed.
Meet service specific age requirements.

2. How are candidates evaluated?
Records are reviewed and evaluated based on:

Undergraduate academic performance
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated interest in military service
Leadership potential
Experience in foodservice and/or dietetics
GRE scores
Telephonic interview

3. What is the deadline for the application and when will I be notified if I have been selected?

It is best to start the application process in the student's junior year. Submission deadlines are service dependent and boards do vary year to year. The application process should begin no later than August to meet the following year's ADA computer matching program deadlines. Verify submission dates with your recruiter as soon as possible.

In addition to submitting an application for the program through the service recruiter of your choice, you must list either the Army Internship or Air Force internship that corresponds to your choice when you register for the internship matching process with D&D Digital. The code for the Army is 316 and the code for the Air Force is 315. Matching results are made available on the D&D Digital website in April. (See Question #7 for related content.)

For specific service entry requirements and more information on applying to this program, contact the Army Recruiter, the Air Force Recruiter or the program director for the US Military Dietetic Internship Consortium, listed under the state of Texas. Annually there are approximately 12-14 slots for students; 10 slots for the Army and 2-3 slots for Air Force. These numbers vary based on the manpower requirements of the respective service.

4. What is my service obligation to the military?
After completing the 20-month Graduate Program in Nutrition, officers must remain on active duty for an additional 4 years.

5. What are the goals of the Program?
The Program will:

Enable students to be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians upon graduation (unless already a fully qualified R.D.).
Develop leaders, ready and able to assume the diverse responsibilities as military dietitians in support of the U.S. Armed Forces' missions.
Prepare graduates who uphold the ethical principles of both their service and the American Dietetic Association.
Promote a learning environment that fosters communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Provide an environment dedicated and focused towards research and life-long learning.

6. What costs are associated with the Graduate Program in Nutrition?
The applicants' approximate costs upon acceptance into the program are:

National computer matching cost: $50; however there are no other application or tuition fees.
Local transportation costs.
Professional membership in the American Dietetic Association - $49
Professional membership in local dietetics affiliation - variable.
Military uniforms � variable ($500-$1000).
Social and cultural events - $200
Textbooks, software, and journal subscriptions- $500

Note: There are no costs associated with liability insurance. Healthcare providers in the Department of Defense are not required or encouraged to carry medical liability insurance.

7. What is Computer Matching?
All applicants to the Program must participate in computer matching. Information on this process can be obtainedfrom http://www.dnddigital.com. Applicants should request these instructions and prioritize their dietetic internship preferences. Applicants should request these materials from D&D Digital Systems, 137 Lynn Avenue, Ames, IA 50014 or visit http://www.dnddigital.com. This request should be made in advance to allow sufficient time to meet the application deadline.

8. What kind of rotations will I have during the Internship (phase 2) portion of the Program?

Food Service Rotations: 372 hours of practical experience in food service systems, focusing on quality management, cost containment, customer satisfaction, and systems aspects of food service.
Medical Nutrition Therapy Rotations: 436 hours of practical experience in Medical Nutrition Therapy, developing and implementing nutrition care plans for inpatients with a variety of diagnoses.
Community Nutrition Rotations: 96 hours of practical experience in community nutrition, rotating through a Wellness Center and interacting with dietitians working in community nutrition programs.
Leadership Rotation: 32 hours of practical experience in a leadership role applying managerial principles of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling to a nutrition services department.
Military Skills Rotations: 10 day Joint Field Nutrition Operations course at Camp Bullis, TX. Students live in a field environment and participate in practical experiences that simulate medical field feeding. The course also includes discussion on the role of the dietitian in Stability Operations (domestic and international assistance).

9. Where are the Phase 2 Training/Internship sites located and what are the facilities like?

San Antonio Military Medical Center(SAMMC), San Antonio, Texashttp://www.sammc.amedd.army.mil
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MDhttp://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil
Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WAhttp://www.mamc.amedd.army.mil

10. What kind of Masters Degree will be awarded?
Upon successful completion of the didactic and research requirements, students will be awarded a Masters of Science in Nutrition from Baylor University.

11. What coursework will be required for the Masters Degree portion of the Graduate Program of Nutrition?
The Military-Baylor University Masters Program of Nutrition has 3 primary focus areas: Nutrition and Performance; Burn/Trauma Medical Nutrition Therapy; and Nutrition in Stability Operations.

12. What kind of physical exam or medical exams will be required to apply to the program?
A physical examination by a military physician must be completed and approved prior to the selection board. Examination results are submitted with the application packet to the selection board. The Recruiter will arrange for this examination at no cost to the applicant at a nearby medical treatment facility, though travel expenses are not reimbursed. The physical exam will include labwork (blood and urine) and can take several hours to complete. Prescreening forms are required to be completed and forwarded to the Recruiter prior to the exam.