Texas Tech University

Match Made in Nutrition: 96% Accepted to Dietetic Internships Across the Country

Texas Tech Dietetic Internship Match Results 96%

The Texas Tech University (TTU) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides career pathways for students who wish to pursue a future as a Registered Dietitian (RD). 96% of students from Texas Tech were matched, or accepted, this spring to prestigious dietetic internship programs across the country.

In order to become a Registered Dietitian, one must complete specific coursework in a DPD program, complete over 1200 hours of supervised practice, and pass the national registration exam before applying to internships.

Texas Tech Dietetic Internship Match Results 96%The Texas Tech Dietetic Internship offers their interns rotations in medical centers and various sites in Lubbock, Amarillo, and the Midland/Odessa region. It is often the case that the interns will stay in the region they are matched to for their future careers as dietitians as well.

Assistant Director of the Dietetic Internship program at Texas Tech Lori Kiker, M.S., RDN, LD, CSO, describes a recent opportunity for students with the site addition of San Angelo, Texas.

"In several West Texas towns there are a shortage of dietitians. Our internship provides these areas with credentialed dietitians. A new site in San Angelo will increase the number of Texas Tech dietetic interns from 18 to 22, an 18% growth."

When San Angelo's Shannon Medical Center approached Dietetic Internship Director Shelley Fillipp M.S., RDN, LD about solving the shortage issue, the team quickly set to work to get their national accreditation. In May of 2018, the official approval came through to open up additional TTU internship spots in San Angelo.

"Our students must achieve a GPA greater than 3.0 in a rigorous degree plan in order to even apply for an internship, but many achieve much higher," Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics Holli Booe, MS, RDN, LD said. "Dietetic Internships are very competitive. Historically the match rate across the country has been approximately 50%, meaning only half of those who apply are accepted. This Spring, 96% of the undergraduates from our DPD program matched."

Texas Tech Dietetic Internship Match Results 96%Not only do students pursuing a dietetic internship need to have a competitive GPA, but student must demonstrate a background with work and volunteer experience, leadership, and competitive GRE scores. These matched students will represent Texas Tech University's DPD program at 14 different sites across the country, even in Puerto Rico.

"This speaks to the quality of students we have, but also to the incredible support and preparation they receive from our Nutritional Sciences faculty," Holli said. "I could not be more proud of our students for the many hours they put into achieving this great success."