Applicants must meet current A.D.A. requirements with a minimum overall G.P.A. of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Grades in major subject areas (professional sciences), 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must:
Have a verification statement from an approved undergraduate dietetics program dated within five years of the year the program will begin. If the date on the verification statement is more than five years prior to the starting year of the program, the applicant must:

• a. Take or have taken 10 credits within the last 5 years.
  • 1) Required 2 courses in clinical nutrition at a university with an approved didactic or coordinated program; i.e., nutrition & metabolism.
  • 2) Highly recommended: classes from a university with an approved didactic/coordinated program or a community college in:
    • a) food service management.
    • b) computers with emphasis on basic skills in word processing and spread sheets. Also skills in computer nutrition analysis and the internet are very useful.

Work or volunteer experience of some kind is necessary, preferably in hospital or food service settings. These two factors, grades and work experience, are converted to numerical scores. These are the tools used to determine the score and rank the applicants. The highest thirty scored applications are reviewed by the selection committee.

The selection committee reviews the entire application, including letter of application, references, grades and work experience.

The dietetic intern must maintain a satisfactory level of performance in order to remain in the program.

The internship is physically demanding; minimum forty hours per week on duty. Clinical and administrative dietitians are walking on their feet a great portion of their day. Distances may cover up to five city blocks. Only about one to two hours per day would be at a desk.

In addition, there is a minimum of 10 hours per week required for assignments and projects. Interns are also expected to participate in health fairs and other community events as needed.

Dietetic Intern Financial Obligations:

• 1. Lab coats for clinical areas (approximately $30.00 each) purchased prior to start of internship. (Professional appearing street attire, conforming to Dress Code).
• 2. Application fee of $40.00, non-refundable (subject to change).
• 3. If accepted, $2,600.00 registration fee will be payable at the beginning of the internship.
• 4. Interns supply their own notebooks, pens, reference materials and linens, and cleaning supplies.
• 5. Liability for travel and cost of travel to out-services, including meal costs.
• 6. Interns are responsible for the cost of dental examinations, eye examinations and health care. Health services will provide assistance in locating a practitioner, if needed, during the course of the internship.
• 7. Liability for phone expenses.
• 8. Students are liable for housing or spouses or families, and child day care, if needed.
• 9. Personal transportation for rotations is needed.
• 10. The intern will be responsible for providing their own housing. A list of the other interns will be provided to each of you if you would like to room together. There is a very limited housing on campus. For information contact Cynthia Edwards at 1-800-745-6447.
  A couple of websites which may be helpful in finding housing in the area:Craigslist.com, www.villagegreen.com
  University Cultural Center Association website – www.detroitmidtown.com

Harper University Hospital provides for the dietetic intern:

• 1. Meal allowance in the hospital cafeteria - $50.00 per week.
• 2. A stipend of $250.00 per month will be provided.
• 3. Parking will be available, but may be by shuttle.
• 4. A hospitalization and health policy that goes into effect after the start of the internship.
• 5. Interns are covered under the Hospital Liability Insurance for malpractice Harper University Hospital.
• 6. A standard physical exam when starting the program.
• 7. Access to Employee Assistance Program.

The internship program starts in January and is approximately 45 weeks in length. Applications are due in September for November appointment.

Dietetic Interns are scheduled for a forty to fifty hour work weeks, which includes four to eight hours of class.

Interns work some holidays and weekends. Interns will get eight hours off for holidays. The vacation week is preplanned for June or July, in the yearly rotation.

Upon successful completion of the program, the successful graduate will meet competency requirements with a general emphasis for entry-level dietitians. (see enclosure of core competency statements). The graduate will also be able to apply to take the National Registration Exam.

An outline of our program is provided in the attached materials, along with program goals and philosophy.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at (313) 745-2034 or Email:nfassinger@dmc.org
Sincerely,
Nancy Fassinger, Ph.D., R.D.            Diane Trippett, MS, R.D.
Nutrition Educator                                Director, DMC
Dietetic Internship Coordinator         Nutrition and Food Services
                                                                 Dietetic Internship Director