Admission Requirements & Application Process

Admission Requirements to the UMaine MS/DI Program

1. Admission to Graduate School. Applicants must be accepted to graduate school, without conditions noted in their graduate decision letter, to be considered for an internship position.

2. A valid Verification Statement indicating completion of an ACEND Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Declaration of Intent from an ACEND Accredited DPD.

3. An official transcript indicating completion of a Baccalaureate of Science Degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above.

4. A GPA of 3.0 or better in the physical and biological sciences is highly recommended and normally expected for admission to the Graduate School.

5. Current resume that includes volunteer/work experience and evidence of leadership/dependability.

6. Participation in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) for those applicants external to the University of Maine.

Application Process

Students eligible for the graduate internship program must have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field with completion of ACEND Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements. 

Students who completed or are completing their DPD program at UMaine will need to submit their Graduate School Application, which includes a resume, an official transcript, and three recommendations by January 15. The essay required on the graduate school application should include a statement regarding their desire to pursue the DI at UMaine.

UMaine students who are interested in applying for the accelerated program will need to submit their application to the dietetic internship director (kayla.l.parsons@maine.edu).  The accelerated program application includes a resume, a short essay and three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the dietetic internship director. Applications will be due by September 15. A committee will review your application and you will be notified of the decision no later than October 10. Please note that accepted applications will be considered ‘provisionally accepted’ and students must maintain guidelines as indicated in the acceptance letter. Similar to other UMaine DPD students, accepted applicants must apply for the graduate program the fall of their senior year, as described above.

For those students external to UMaine, you must participate in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) application. Complete the online DICAS application form (opens on August 5, 2025) at https://dicas.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/#/login by January 31, 2026 (only for external applicants to the University of Maine). Pay required fees as indicated in the DICAS system and complete all steps required by the DICAS system (including three recommendations and an essay). External students to UMaine will also need to complete the Graduate School Application, including supporting documents by January 15. Please include three letters of recommendation (forms found within Graduate School Application), as well official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (1 set for UMaine Graduate School and 1 set for DICAS).

Current UMaine doctoral students are eligible to fill ISPP openings. Doctoral students should contact the dietetic internship director for details. Placement in an ISPP will occur toward the end of the doctoral student’s graduate program.

Graduate School Application Fee

A $65 non-refundable application fee is due with the online graduate school application. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Maine and sent to the graduate school. http://umaine.edu/graduate/apply

The Graduate School
University of Maine
5775 Stodder Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5775
(207) 581-3291
graduate@maine.edu