Dietetic Internship Application Process
All DI programs use the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) online applicant portal, a centralized application process, for the DI application process. Applicants are required to create a personal account and are assigned a unique identification number that will be used on all future related communication. Forms required for the DICAS application include: transcript, personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, DPD Supplemental Form, Declaration of Intent or Verification Statement.
Application Resources
- Applicant Help Center
- Applicant Information Handout (includes Q&A)
- Applicant Training Video
- DICAS Cycle Applicant Tips
- Guide to DICAS and Navigating the Application Process
- Dietetics Traffic Rules
- Texas A&M University Writing Center – helpful with personal statement
- Texas A&M University Career Center – helpful with resume
ACEND Information and Resources
- Visit ACEND’s website for more information on the Application Process for Students
Application Process
DICAS will open on August 5, 2025, and applicants can search for their programs of interest. However, not all programs will have their application information uploaded and ready by August 5th, so interested applicants may have to look for their respective programs later.
Programs starting in Fall 2026 can open their applications in the Fall of 2025 or Spring 2026. All applicants must read the information page and website for detailed information on programs of interest.
Applicants can search on DICAS using the following six filters: Program Type, State, Start Term, Number of Preceptors Scheduled by Program, DPD Verification Statement, or Degree Available.
To view all possible application information pages, applicants should check the available program and future program options on DICAS.
Application Deadlines
Programs will have different application deadlines, so students must know the deadlines for programs of interest.
For some programs, students may have to complete a separate application for the graduate portion. The graduate program may also have a different due date. This information should be on the DICAS information page and/or program website.
Application Fees
- DICAS fees for application submission are $50 for the first program and $25 for each additional program.
- Programs may add their own application fees.
- Graduate programs may also have their own application fees.
- Program-specific fee information should be listed on each DICAS Information page and /or on the program website
Application Process and Notification Dates
Fall Supervised Practice Application Timeline (start Spring 2026):
- November 1st: Last day for applicants to be notified of their match
- November 1st-15th: Applicants must notify programs of their decision to accept or deny the match offer
- November 15th: The program cannot require a decision from the applicant before this date
- November 16th: Programs with openings can reopen their applications
- December 15th: Programs should not accept applications until after this date.
Spring Supervised Program Application Timeline (start Fall 2025):
- July 15th: Programs should not accept applications until after this date.
- March 1st: Last day for applicants to be notified of their match.
- March 1st-15th: Applicants must notify programs of their decision to accept or deny the match offer
- March 15th: The program cannot require a decision from the applicant before this date
- March 16th: Programs with openings can reopen their applications
Waitlisted
Applicants may be waitlisted. This means they have not received an official offer from the program, but their name has been added to a “back-up” list. If the applicants who were officially offered a position to the program decline acceptance, the waitlisted person’s application will be considered in order of their name being on the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will/may receive notification after the November 15th (fall) or March 15th (spring) deadlines based on available positions.
Applicant Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules
All applicants must follow the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics for RDNs and NDTRs and the Applicant Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules that are specific to the application process.
Any graduate not entering a DI program in the fall is encouraged to apply for the NDTR credential.
The process to initiate this is to complete the Nutrition Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR) Opportunity for DPD Graduates form and email the completed form to:
Meghan Windham
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Director, Clinical Assistant Professor