Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition

Texas A&M University Master of Clinical Nutrition Dietetic Internship Program

The Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) Program is a 22-month non-thesis graduate-dietetic internship program that combines studies on the Texas A&M campus in College Station with the supervised practice component of the dietetic internship program.  Students accepted into this program begin graduate studies in August and remain at the College Station campus for one year.  Qualified applicants must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and an ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD).  

If you are interested in the MCN Program with Baylor University Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program in Dallas, please visit that program’s website here.  

The current 1-year pass rate for the RDN exam for the Texas A&M DI Program is 100%, with over 80% of the graduates of the program passing the RDN exam on the first try.  Graduates of the Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Program are working in a variety of practice settings, including:  clinical dietetics, clinical management, treatment for eating disorders, school nutrition programs, and university wellness.    

For more information on the pathway to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN): 

For other information related to the Texas A&M MCN Program: 

Other useful websites: 

Contact Information 

For questions regarding the Dietetic Internship Program:

Karen S. Geismar, MS, RDN, LD 
Dietetic Internship Director, Senior Lecturer 
Department of Nutrition 
Texas A&M University 
Email: karen.geismar@agnet.tamu.edu 
Phone: (979) 845-5713 

For questions regarding the MCN graduate program criteria and application process: 

Tami Overby 
Program Coordinator II 
Office: 138 Cater-Mattil 
Email: tami.overby@agnet.tamu.edu 
Phone: 979-862-7955

Mission, Goals and Program Objectives 

Mission 

The Texas A&M University Dietetic Internship (TAMU DI) Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) program is designed to integrate knowledge gained in coursework with intensive training in professional settings to help grow the intern into a competent entry level dietitian.  The program provides planned professional experiences in clinical dietetics, as well as community nutrition and administrative/food service management. Interns who have completed course work in nutrition and support areas (biochemistry, physiology and statistics) are placed in professional settings for practical application of dietetics education and research 

The mission of the Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Program is to provide a high quality education and a variety of supervised practice experiences to prepare interns to be effective entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists. 

The TAMU DI Program is in accordance with the Texas A&M University goal of striving for the highest quality educational program while contributing to community enhancement and outreach, research, knowledge generation and economic development. 

The MCN Program’s goals and measurable objectives are: 

GOAL 1:  Prepare graduates for working in diverse areas of dietetics through a variety of supervised practice experiences. 

  1. 90% of program graduates agree that rotation sites were adequate to prepare them to work in their chosen field. 
  2. 90% of program graduates agree that coursework and research enhanced their skills to work in their chosen field. 

GOAL 2: Prepare graduates to be competent entry-level practitioners who demonstrate an evidence-based approach to their practice and a commitment to ongoing development of their evidence-based practice skills. 

  1. At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within 33 months. (150% of the program length) 
  2. 90% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. 
  3. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 
  4. Of program graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. 
  5. 90% of employers of program graduates rate Texas A&M graduates as demonstrating an evidence-based approach to their practice. 

Program outcomes vary from year to year, but are available upon request from the Dietetic Internship Director: 

Karen S. Geismar, MS, RDN, LD 
Dietetic Internship Director, Senior Lecturer 
Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University 
2253 TAMU College Station, TX  77843 
(979) 845-5713 
karen.geismar@agnet.tamu.edu 

MCN Program Admission Requirements: 

 Admission requirements for the MCN Program mirror admission requirements for the graduate program in Nutrition.  For information on graduate program admission requirements, please refer to the Department of Nutrition Graduate Program webpage.   University graduate program admissions located here.  

Admission requirement for the MCN Program include: 

    1. Original Verification Statement of completion of academic requirements or declaration of intent to complete academic requirements by August (Note: Program requirement completion date of verification statement must be no older than 5 years at the start of the dietetic internship program); 
    2. By the start of the dietetic internship program, a minimum of a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. regionally accredited university or college OR foreign equivalent as verified by a Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) approved nonprofit agency (Approved nonprofit agencies available at ACEND website); 
    3. Overall GPA of 3.0 or better, with overall GPA of 3.25 preferred 
    4. Selected applicants will be asked to complete a phone interview

Note:  While not part of the program admission requirements, participation in the supervised practice or internship component of the MCN Program requires proof of vaccination status, including:

  • Hepatitis B Virus
  • Measles, mumps & rubella
  • Varicella
  • Tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis
  • Meningococcal (Required by Texas A&M University at start of graduate program unless student is 22 years of age or older)
  • Seasonal flu
  • COVID -19 (currently required by clinical partners for most sites)

Failure to provide proof of these vaccinations may negatively impact the intern’s ability to participate in supervised practice experiences, particularly at clinical sites, that are required for completion of the dietetic internship and acquisition of a verification statement.

MCN Program Application Process: 

Application to the MCN program is a 2-step process.  Qualified applicants must first apply to the to the Dietetic Internship (DI) Program through DICAS and apply to the computer matching with Digital & Digital (D&D). If matched to the Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Program and the applicant notifies the dietetic internship director of acceptance, the applicant must then apply to the MCN graduate program.  The graduate program application must be received by June 1st. 

Please review information below on the application process: 

Dietetic Internship Program Application 

The Texas A&M Dietetic Internship program participates in the computerized Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) for the spring application process.  Specific instructions on the DICAS application process as available from the DICAS portal. Following are some of the items that should be included with the DICAS application: 

  • Applicant needs to make a Digital DI Application File through DICAS. 
  • Transcripts and three letters of recommendation are a required part of the application submitted to DICAS. Letters of recommendation should include at least one DPD academic reference from DPD program and one from a current or recent employer. 
  • A personal statement must also be included. Recommended Personal Statement Guidelines can assist the applicant in preparing this letter. 
  • An interview by the Dietetic Internship Selection Committee may be requested. 
  • Application and ranking set with D&D Digital Systems; 
  • A non-refundable application fee of $25.00.  Send a check or money order made payable to “TAMU Dietetic Internship Program” mailed to the following address: 

Karen S. Geismar, MS, RDN, LD 
Dietetic Internship Director, Department of Nutrition 
2253 TAMU 
College Station, TX  77843 

Computer Matching Process 

  • Applicants must register online with D&D Digital Systems for selection of DI program priority and computer matching. This request should be made early to allow turnaround time to submit internship preferences to D&D Digital Systems.  
  • D&D Digital Systems will provide all applicants their personal matching results via posting on the D&D Digital Systems Web Site. D&D Digital Systems will provide all DI Directors the list of applicants matched to their program on match date. Applicants should contact D&D Digital Systems if matching results are not available to them via the Web site. 
  • Applicants who receive a computer match are responsible for contacting the DI Director and accepting or rejecting that match by email to the program director. 
  • As a participant in computer matching, it is expected that applicants who receive a match will adhere to the results of the match and accept the match. It is unacceptable to decline a match in order to pursue appointment to another supervised practice program. 
  • As a participant in the computer matching process, it is expected that applicants who do not receive a computer match will not contact any program with open positions until the allowed D&D date. This will allow the programs time to confirm acceptance from their matched applicants and determine the process they will use to fill open positions. In addition, please do not ask your Didactic Program Director to inquire about or contact programs with open positions prior to the allowed date. 

D & D Digital Systems 
3100 S. Riverside Dr. 
PO Box 887 
Ames, Iowa 50010 
Phone: (515) 292-0409 
Web site: Email: dnd@netins.net 
Web site: www.dnddigital.com 

Graduate Program Application Process 

After acceptance into the Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Program, the applicant must apply to the MCN Graduate Program.   

  • The application must be submitted through Texas A&M Graduate Central Application Service (GradCAS). 
  • Statement of professional and graduate program interest must be submitted with graduate application.   Statement of professional and graduate program interest should discuss your academic, research and professional interests 
  • Submission of a $90.00 application (via GradCAS, $114.00 for international students) 

Information about the application process is available at Texas A&M Admissions website. 

Please contact the MCN Graduate Program Coordinator for more questions regarding the graduate program application and admissions process:  

Tami Overby, MBA 
Program Coordinator II 
Office: 138 Cater-Mattil 
Email: tami.overby@agnet.tamu.edu 
Phone: 979-862-7955 

Suggested Curriculum for the Master in Clinical Nutrition 

The suggested curriculum and progression of the MCN Program follows. 

Year 1 (On campus) Year 2 (Remotely)** 
Fall (up to 13 hours)  Fall 
NUTR 600 level (3 hrs)  NUTR 684* (2 hrs) 
Physiology 600 level (3 hrs)  NUTR 685 (3hrs) 
NUTR 681 (1 hrs)   
Elective (3-6 hrs)   
   
Spring  (up to 13 hours)  Spring 
NUTR 600 level (3 hrs)  NUTR 684*  (1 hr) 
GENE 600 level (3 hrs)  NUTR 685* (2 hrs) 
NUTR 681 (1 hrs)   
Elective (3-6 hrs)   
NUTR 684 (1 hr)   
   
Summer   
STAT 600 level (3 hrs)   
Elective optional   
   
NUTR or Approved Electives (10 hrs)   
     (can be taken any semester)   

 

Required coursework includes: 

Prefix and Number  Required/Core Course Title  Credit Hours 
NUTR 642  Nutritional Biochemistry II (or equivalent)  3
NUTR 630  Nutrition and Disease (or equivalent)  3
GENE 603  Genetics (or equivalent)  3
KINE 637/638  Exercise Physiology I or II  3
STAT 651  Statistics (or equivalent)  3
NUTR 681  Seminar  2
NUTR 684  Professional Internship  4
NUTR 685  Directed Studies  5

Course descriptions may be viewed in the Graduate Catalog for Nutrition. 

 * A maximum of 9 credit hours of combined NUTR 685 and NUTR 684 may be taken or not more than 4 credit hours of NUTR 684 and not more than 8 credit hours of NUTR 685. 

** Interns will be completing the supervised practice during the second year of the MCN Program and will be off-campus.  Course work for NUTR 684 and 685 will be completed remotely.  Students will have access to course material via the learning management system, Canvas.  Meetings with instructors and the Program Director may be completed remotely via Zoom or other equivalent platform.  

Expected schedule of Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) 

The MCN Program is a 36-credit hour, 22-month program that includes coursework in nutrition at Texas A&M University and the dietetic internship program.  The first year is focused on coursework at Texas A&M and includes two long semesters (fall and spring) and summer semesters.  The second year includes the dietetic internship component that provides at least 1200 hours of supervised practice and alternate supervised practice work that builds skills related to the ACEND core competencies and prepares the student for entry-level dietetic practice.   

The general calendar for interns in the MCN program: 

Expected Calendar for 2022-2024:  

Year 1: 

  • April: Acceptance into the Texas A&M DI Program 
  • Summer:  New graduate student orientation is available. Contact Graduate Program Coordinator for enrollment 
  • August:  Start of graduate school for fall semester 
  • January:  Start of graduate school for spring semester 
  • June:  Start of graduate school for Summer 1 semester 
  • Please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar for specific calendar dates.   

Year 2:    

  • Mid-August:  start of supervised practice 
  • Spring semester: oral defense (Please refer to Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Calendar and Deadline for specific calendar dates) 
  • Mid-May:  completion of supervised practice and commencement 

Holidays and Days Off 

During the supervised practice, interns are expected to work the schedule of their preceptor that may include some holidays, weekends or evenings.  Interns have two weeks off over the winter holiday break and return to the supervised practice in January.  Interns are expected to work over spring break during the supervised practice 

Suggested academic schedule of MCN Program may be viewed here. 

MCN Program Completion Requirements 

To be eligible to take the examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, interns must receive a verification statement from the DI Program that confirms successful completion of the supervised practice.   

To earn the MCN degree and receive a verification statement, interns in the MCN Program must accomplish the following: 

  • Successful completion of 36 hours of graduate coursework.  Successful completion of graduate courses as evidenced by: 
  • a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and no less than a C in graduate courses 
  • Completion of professional paper 
  • Passing of oral defense 
  • Completion of all course assignments for the NUTR 684 Professional Internship course is needed to earn a satisfactory/passing grade 
  • Completion of a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice, with a minimum of 900 hours in professional work settings. 
  • Alternate supervised practice hours may provide a maximum of 300 hours 
  • Earn an overall evaluation score of 80% or better for each rotation of the supervised practice; 
  • Interns may be asked to repeat a rotation if they fail to earn 80% or better 
  • Meet all ACEND core competencies for the registered dietitian nutritionist during the supervised practice  
  • Completion of all preceptor evaluations 
  • Please see DI Program Policies and Procedures for more information.  

Expected Costs and Other Financial Information 

Anticipated Dietetic Internship Costs 

The total cost of the Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Program is variable, but following are expected expenses and fees with their anticipated cost. 

  • Dietetic Internship fee of $7,500 (final fee pending) 
  • Application to Internship Program fee $25 
  • Graduate program application fee $90.00 (for MCN option, $114.00 for international students) 
  • DICAS application fee $40 for first application, $20 for each additional application 
  • D&D Digital application fee $50 
  • Lab Coat ~$25 
  • Hepatitis B shot $180 (if not already vaccinated) 
  • Other shots as required cost may vary 
  • Flu shot ~$40-$70 (may be covered by health insurance) 
  • Other vaccinations, as necessary – variable 
  • Professional Liability Insurance $25-35 
  • Drug Screen $40 
  • TB Test $25 
  • Student membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics $58 
  • Registration for Professional Meetings Costs may vary 
  • Criminal background check – provided by University 
  • Textbooks and supplies – varies with individual students 
  • Meals and transportation varies with the student, but a reliable car and insurance is required to travel to practicum sites which are scattered over central Texas 
  • Rent: the average rent for Texas per month varies, but may be ~$1,052 
  • Estimated cost based on average rent for Temple, Houston, and College Station, rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends 
  • RDN Examination Fee $200 (paid at time of exam appointment registration) 

Note: Rotations in Houston and Dallas are voluntary. Interns completing rotations in Houston and Dallas may incur additional expenses for transportation, gas, housing, and parking. The intern is responsible for these additional costs. 

While completing the supervised practice, interns are not generally capable of working outside of the program for financial support.  

Graduate School Expenses 

For those in the Master of Clinical Nutrition, expenses will include those listed above, plus the cost of attending graduate school. Interns in this option will incur expenses for at least two years of graduate school. The MCN Program requires a minimum of 36 graduate hours for completion.   

Standard information on tuition and fees for graduate hours may be found at the Texas A&M Student Business Services 

The following table outlines the expected expense school for the 2021-2022 academic year for a graduate student enrolled in 9 credit hours per semester during the fall and spring semester** and 3 credit hours for the summer (Summer 2021). 

  Resident  Non-Resident 
Graduate Application fee  $90  $90* 
Tuition and fees  $9,665  $20,726 
Loan Fees  $246  $246 
Housing and Meals  $16,867  $16,867 
Books and Supplies  $967  $967 
Travel  $3,059  $4,679 
Personal Expenses  $5,509  $5,509 
Total  $36,403  $49,084 

**Students in the MCN program will be required to enroll in at least 12 credit hours the fall and spring semesters of the first year of the program, 3-6 credit hours over the summer.  MCN students will be enrolled in less credit during the fall and spring semester of the second year.  Other than tuition, expenses may vary. 

*$114.00 for international students 

Source: http://financialaid.tamu.edu/Graduate/COA#0-CollegeStationGraduateStudents 

Financial Aid and Assistantships 

Graduate students may be eligible for fellowships or teaching assistantships, and scholarships are available for meritorious graduate student applicants; however, this cannot be guaranteed for non-thesis graduate students.  

Information about available financial aid can be found at the following website: 

Note:  Graduate students who complete the graduate program prior to the supervised practice will not be eligible for financial aid, teaching assistantships or other fellowships following graduation.  

Scholarships are also available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.  

Texas A&M Dietetic Internship Supervised Practice Rotations 

The supervised practice component of the Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) and Non-Degree options offers a variety of rotation sites in central Texas area, primarily Temple, Texas. Other supervised practice locations include College Station, Bryan, Houston, Dallas, and Waco, Texas.  Supervised practice sites include teaching hospitals, community and extension opportunities, outpatient clinics, consulting and entrepreneurial rotations, and a variety of locations for institutional management experience. 

The supervised practice begins in August and ends in May of the following year and will meet the 1000-hour minimum criteria established by ACEND.  During these 9 months of the supervised practice, the intern will be assigned a variety of professional experiences in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and management/food service management.  Successful completion of the internship allows graduates to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. 

Examples of DI Rotation Sites: 

Clinical Rotations: 

  • Central Texas Veterans’ Health Care System–Temple, TX 
  • Nutrition and Food Service –Waco VA 
  • Baylor Scott &White Hospital & Clinic–Temple, TX 
  • Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital 
  • CHI-St. Joseph Regional Health Center–Bryan, TX 
  • Liberty Dialysis–Bryan, TX 
  • Center for Discovery, Houston and Cypress, TX 

Management/School Foodservice: 

  • College Station Independent School District–College Station, TX 
  • Bryan Independent School District–Bryan, TX 
  • Cy-Fair Independent School District–Cypress, TX 
  • Klein Independent School District–Klein, TX 
  • Round Rock Independent School District–Round Rock, TX 
  • College Station Independent School District–College Station, TX 
  • Central Texas Veterans’ Health Care System Food Service/DOM–Temple, TX 
  • Baylor Scott & White Hospital & Clinic Food Service–Temple, TX 

Community/Wellness Rotations: 

  • BVCAA WIC–Bryan, TX  77802 
  • Waco Meals on Wheels 
  • Bell County WIC-Temple, TX 
  • Excellence in Health–Lorena, TX 
  • Cooper Clinic–Dallas, TX  75230 
  • TAMU AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M University Campus–College Station, TX 
  • Texas A&M Student Health Services, Texas A&M University Campus–College Station, TX 
  • Recipe for Success–Houston, TX 
  • Memorial Hermann Ironman- Houston, TX 
  • Memorial Hermann Hospital – Cardiac Rehab in the Texas Medical Center 
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Policy Initiative and Advocacy-Washington D.C.

Back to top