Applications

MSDI and DI application

DICAS

Applications to the combined Master of Science in Human Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program and Dietetic Internship (DI) program at OHSU must be completed through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services  (DICAS).

DICAS will be available December 2019 for the Spring 2020 match. The online application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2020. 

Applicants must create an account with DICAS and complete all application components within the online application including:

  • All sections of the DICAS application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
  • Three references (at least one from a DPD faculty member)
  • Personal statement
  • Additional essay questions
  • Current resume

Applicants must select at the time of their DICAS submission to apply to the DI in Portland, Medford or Bend, or any combination of these options. The DI in Portland, Medford and Bend have their own program designation codes in DICAS. Please note that although a student may apply to the DI in Portland only, students may be placed in the Portland area, Medford or Bend. Applicants applying to the MSDI must select at the time of their DICAS submission to apply to the thesis or non-thesis (capstone) option, or both. The thesis and non-thesis (capstone) options have their own program designation codes in DICAS.

Please review the sections below for more information on each component of the application. 

Personal statement

Applicants should address the following questions in the personal statement submitted through DICAS (limit 1,000 words).

  • Why do you want to enter the nutrition and dietetics profession?
  • What specific experiences have helped to prepare you for a career in nutrition and dietetics?
  • What are your short-term and long-term professional goals?
  • As you've read on our website, our program has a concentration in community outreach, yet a clinical focus. Describe how the focus of our program will meet your career goals and interests. 

Essay questions for all applicants

Applicants must submit responses to two of the five following essay questions. Please limit responses to 350 words for each question. Responses must be uploaded to DICAS as a supplemental PDF.  

  1. Many of our students share that the internship is one of the best, yet most challenging years of their lives. Tell us how you plan to be successful in this fast-paced, challenging environment.
  2. What community or client population do you hope to serve and how have your previous experiences prepared you for this role?
  3. Discuss an experience in your life that demonstrates your resilience.
  4. Describe a time when you disagreed with an evaluation or feedback you received about your performance. How did you handle the situation? What impact did it have on you? What did you learn?
  5. Please discuss the diversity that you would bring to the OHSU Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition and nutrition and dietetics. Please visit the website for OHSU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion for more information.

Essay question for MSDI applicants

MSDI applicants must also include a response to the following question: 

  • Discuss why you are applying to pursue a Master's Degree. What relevant experiences have you had that will contribute to your success in graduate school? Describe one or two particular areas of interest where you would hope to focus your thesis research or capstone project. 

GRE scores

While the program no longer requires the GRE for admission, applicants are welcome to submit their scores to OHSU (Institutional Code: 4865). 

OHSU application and fee

Applicants must complete an OHSU Application to be submitted with the application fee of $70. To complete the OHSU application, create an online account; select “MS/DI and DI Programs” from the program list.

The OHSU application and application fee must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 15, 2020. Applications will not be considered if the OHSU application and/or application fee are late or not received. 

This OHSU application is required by OHSU and is not shared with the selection committee. Information on the application will not be used in the selection process, but could be used to nominate new students, once accepted, for available scholarships.

Notes: 

  • Applicants only submit one OHSU application and fee even if applying to more than one MSDI or DI option at OHSU. 

Interviews

Applicants may receive a request for an additional survey and brief virtual interview with faculty from the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition; however, an applicant who is not contacted for an interview should not assume that he/she has been dismissed from consideration by the program.

Computer matching

Applicants must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital, and should carefully review their responsibilities related to computer matching at ACEND's applicant responsibilities webpage. When completing the DICAS application, applicants must provide a phone number and e-mail address where they can be reached, if necessary, on Appointment Day.

On Appointment Day, matched applicants must contact the Dietetic Internship Director by phone or e-mail to confirm acceptance of the match. The Dietetic Internship Director, Diane Stadler, PhD, RD, LD, can be reached at (503) 494-0168 or stadlerd@ohsu.edu. The Dietetic Internship Director will reply to phone and e-mail messages to acknowledge the program's receipt of the acceptance by the end of Appointment Day.

To learn more about the computer matching process, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Computer Matching Policy and Procedures webpage at D&D Digital.

Program Codes

DI –Portland: 372

DI –Medford: 798

DI –Bend: 841

OHSU MSDI –Thesis option: 129

OHSU MSDI –Non-thesis (capstone) option: 803

Title IX and equal opportunity

OHSU is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you encounter sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, veteran or military status, sex, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other protected status please contact Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu. Inquiries about Title IX compliance or sex/gender discrimination and harassment may be directed to the OHSU Title IX Coordinator at 503-494-0258 or titleix@ohsu.edu

Learn more about Title IX at OHSU

Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Please visit the website for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, where you can learn about OHSU's Community of Inclusion and Diversity Action Plan, internships, scholarships, professional development, and other resources. 

MS in Human Nutrition Application

Applications for the Master of Science in Human Nutrition are submitted directly to the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition. To begin the program in the summer of 2020, applications must be submitted by March 1, 2020. Applications submitted for admission during other terms will be considered on an individual basis.

The application packet must include the following components:

  • Application
  • Current resume (with a detailed employment history)
  • Personal statement 
  • Recommendations
  • Proof of status as a Registered Dietitian or verification statement showing completion of an accredited dietetic internship
  • TOEFL scores, if applicable
  • Application fee

Application

Applicants must complete all components of the written application

GRE

While the program no longer requires the GRE for admission, applicants are welcome to submit their scores to OHSU (Institutional Code: 4865). 

Personal statement

For those applying to the MS program with a thesis option, please include with your application a typed statement that addresses your professional career goals, your motivation for graduate study, research interests/experience and any scientific publications or presentations you have authored.

For those applying to the MS program with a capstone (non-thesis option, please include with your application a typed statement that addresses your professional career goals, your motivation for graduate studies, relevant experiences in teaching, research, publishing, and/or volunteering and how our program will help you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Transcripts

An official transcript is required from each college or university attended and must arrive at OHSU in an official, sealed envelope on or before the application deadline. Current OHSU dietetic interns must only submit their most recent OHSU transcript.

Recommendations

Applicants must submit at least three recommendations. If you have research experience, it is recommended that a recommendation be provided from your research supervisor(s). Applicants must use the Recommendation Form.

Proof of status

For current or recent graduates of a dietetic internship program (individuals who have yet to become a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR), the application packet must contain an original signed verification statement signifying completion of a dietetic internship program accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) or a letter from your dietetic internship director stating that you are in good standing in the program with the intent to complete the dietetic internship prior to matriculation at OHSU. Applicants who are Registered Dietitians must provide official documentation from CDR signifying current status as a Registered Dietitian.  Registered Dietitians should call CDR at 1-800-877-1600 ext 5500 and provide their name and RD # and request an official RD verification letter be sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition. This requirement is waived for current OHSU dietetic interns.

TOEFL scores

An English proficiency exam, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, is required for all International Students who do not speak English as a native language and do not have a bachelor's or master's degree from a US institution. In general, the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition accepts minimum scores of 600 paper-based, 250 computer based, and 100 Internet-based for the TOEFL, or a minimum 6.5 for the IELTS.

Application fee

Applicants must submit a $70.00 application fee. Checks should be made payable to the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition. The application fee is waived for current OHSU dietetic interns.

Application submission

Completed applications should be sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition at:

Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition

Oregon Health & Science University

Mail Code: GH 207

3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road

Portland, OR 97239-3098 

Title IX and equal opportunity

OHSU is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you encounter sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, veteran or military status, sex, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other protected status please contact Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu. Inquiries about Title IX compliance or sex/gender discrimination and harassment may be directed to the OHSU Title IX Coordinator at 503-494-0258 or titleix@ohsu.edu

Learn more about Title IX at OHSU

Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Please visit the website for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, where you can learn about OHSU's Community of Inclusion and Diversity Action Plan, internships, scholarships, professional development, and other resources. 

MS in Food Systems and Society Application

Making the choice to apply to graduate school is a big decision. We’re glad you’re ready to move forward and apply for our Master of Science in Food Systems and Society – an in-depth, connection-building program in which you join a network of students and faculty who want to impact the world through food equity, social justice, and advocacy in food systems. 

Below is a list of items you will need to submit to formally apply to the M.S. in Food Systems and Society program at OHSU. As you review the list, know that we are here to help you if you have any questions about the required materials for admissions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at fss@ohsu.edu or (503) 494-7823.

The admissions deadline is March 30, 2020. Classes start September 2020. 

Application

Create an online account; select “Food Systems and Society” from the program list.

Don’t worry about finishing the application in one session. You can save your work, log out and return to the application at a later time. Your information will be saved.

Within the online application, you will be directed to submit: 

  • OHSU Graduate Studies Application
  • Letter of Intent
  • Official transcripts
  • Writing Sample
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Supplemental Questions

OHSU graduate studies online application

The Graduate Studies application has four sections – the first three sections are required for all students applying to any graduate program at OHSU, and the fourth section is specifically for the M.S. in Food Systems and Society.

Letter of intent

In 1,000 words or less, please tell us why you are interested in learning to think more critically about food systems and society. Explain your motivation to create social change in the food system and the personal and/or professional experiences that have contributed to your interest. In addition, you may address your reasons for pursuing graduate study and/or how a low-residency, online program contributes to your goals.

Transcripts

As part of your application, you will need to submit unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended, including trade schools, community colleges, and four-year universities. Unofficial transcripts can often be obtained from a school’s website, usually through something like a student portal or the registrar’s website.

If you are admitted into the program, you will be required to submit official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you have attended. Typically students order official transcripts and the university or college sends them directly to OHSU. If you are admitted, your offer letter will provide details on how to obtain and send your official transcripts. 

Writing sample

Submit a sole-authored writing sample (5-15 pages), preferably on a topic related to food systems and society. We are looking for evidence of your potential or ability to develop key questions and focused writing, construct reasoned arguments based on evidence, and assess or analyze the significance of what you have presented. Your sample may be something you have already written or write for the purpose of this application. 

Letters of recommendation

Two confidential recommendations from individuals acquainted with your potential for success in graduate studies are required. Recommendations from family members or personal acquaintances are not appropriate and will not be considered. 

You will need the names and email addresses for your two recommenders to submit in the application portal. Your recommenders will then be emailed a link to the online recommendation form and can submit the recommendation online. You will be able to see in your online application checklist if the recommendation has been received. 

Supplemental questions

This portion of the applications asks questions that help us learn a little bit more about you. Some questions are multiple choice (Yes/No/Decline to answer) and some require a short answer. The questions ask for additional demographic information and about your past professional experiences and future professional goals. 

Interview

After you have submitted your online application, you may be invited for an interview with program faculty. Interviews are scheduled once we receive and have reviewed your completed application.