The Montana Dietetic Internship offers two pathways

 

Master's Degree + Dietetic Internship
(MSDI)

This program is designed for students who wish to simultaneously complete a Dietetic Internship and a Master of Science degree in Dietetic Systems Leadership.At completion of the program students will obtain a certificate (DI verification statement) that will qualify them to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

 

 Dietetic Internship / non-degree
(DI)

For graduate prepared interns, the non-degree Dietetic Internship is a 2- semester internship program with a focus on Sustainable Food Systems.At completion of the MDI, interns will obtain a certificate (DI verification statement) that will qualify them to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Program Benefits 

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Diverse Pathways

Choose between a Master of Science & Dietetic Internship (MSDI) or a Non-Degree Graduate prepared Dietetic Internship (DI).
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Strong Career Preparation

Develop leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to become an innovative dietitian.
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Rural & Urban Healthcare Exposure

Experience in both large hospital systems and critical access hospitals in Montana & Wyoming.
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Sustainable Food Systems Focus

Unique emphasis on sustainability, including work at Towne’s Harvest Garden and tours of the greater Gallatin Valley food system.
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Integrated Learning Experience

Hands-on training in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and foodservice management.
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Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Engage in Culinary Medicine sessions and projects with nursing and medical students.

Introduction to MDI

We prepare future RDNs to lead sustainable health solutions for people and the planet focusing on dietetics practice in Montana and the Rocky Mountain Region.

The MDIG Program Values are the foundation of a strategic plan to develop leaders. We

  • Challenge students to discover and develop their passions.

  • Nurture whole person self- and professional-development.

  • Practice and cultivate transdisciplinary inquiry and systems thinking.

  • Act with integrity and work towards a more just, inclusive, and livable future.

Acting in alignment with MDIG values facilitates a dietetics systems leadership approach. The dietetic systems leadership model pillars are:

  • Systems Thinking: Recognize and synthesize patters, interactions and interdependencies in a set of activities designed for a specific purpose

    • Foundational knowledge: individual + policy, systems and environmental (I+PSE) conceptual framework for action, social determinants of health, UNESCO cross-cutting and specialized sustainable development goals (SDG) competencies

  • Personal Empowerment: Increase self-efficacy and professional growth

    • Foundational knowledge: growth mindset, mindfulness, critical thinking, communication skills, True Colors ™ self-discovery activities

  • Dietetics Competencies: Demonstrate nutrition care for individuals + policies, systems and environments

  • Foundational knowledge: Didactic program in dietetics and Dietetic Systems Leadership coursework in research, evidence-based practice, clinical, public health and policy, and food service management dietetics practice.

  • Collective Care: Shared responsibility for each community member’s wellbeing.

    • Foundational knowledge: weight inclusivity, cultural humility, LGBTQ+ healthcare allyship, Indian Education for All, nutrition education and counseling.

The mission of the Montana Dietetic Internship & Graduate (MDIG) program is to prepare future registered dietitian nutritionists to lead sustainable health solutions for people and the planet, focusing on dietetics practice in Montana and the Rocky Mountain region.

2025 Virtual Open House

The Montana Dietetic Internship (MDI) integrates experiences in clinical and community nutrition, and foodservice management with a sustainable food systems focus to provide a unique and progressive supervised dietetic practice experience to future registered dietitians. 

Surrounded by mountains and farmland, Montana State University offers the perfect backdrop for dietetic interns interested in food systems and sustainable practices. Students will have the opportunity to work at MSU's Towne’s Harvest Garden, participate in field trips to local farms/ranches and lead interprofessional projects such as Culinary Medicine sessions with nursing and medical students.

The MDI program prepares future dietitians to be innovative leaders in the implementation of sustainable food practices in all areas of dietetics. Interns spend 9 -13 weeks in a large hospital system in a more urban area and 2 weeks in one of the many critical access hospitals that serve the rural areas. Montana and Wyoming are both primarily rural with unique considerations for access to healthcare. Our dedicated facilities and preceptors provide MDI interns with opportunities to practice their clinical skills, with the unique lens in SFS, with a rural healthcare focus.

he goal of MDI is to develop leaders who can think outside the box and create innovative solutions to real world problems using the unique lens of SFS and rural healthcare.

With four weeks dedicated to exploring the Gallatin Valley’s vibrant food system, MDI cultivates a unique lens for interns to take into professional practice with opportunities to apply their strong systems and critical thinking skills to be important change agents in the health of individuals and communities.

Out-of-the box problem solving skills are developed through:

  • Researching and discussing important topics that impact the dietetics profession
  • Working together with local partners to deliver programs or execute projectsthat are mutually beneficial to both interns & the community
  • Immersing in the production and distribution of organic produce at Towne’s Harvest
  • Enhancing culinary skills and developing recipes with fresh, local ingredients

Visit the Sustainable Food Systems Focus page.

Visit our Program Costs Page for information on estimated tuition and fees, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.

Intern Perspectives Videos