Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program (MPP) Pre-Selection FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please consult the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program (MPP) Application Guide for complete application instructions

1.    What is the MPP Pre-Selection Program?
The MPP is part of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Nutrition and Food Services and is a Dietitians of Canada accredited internship program. During internship, dietetic interns gain practical experience in many aspects of dietetic practice: Clinical Nutrition, Community Nutrition and Nutrition and Food Service Management. We seek confident individuals with leadership skills, demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to learn in a self-directed environment.

The MPP offers diverse learning opportunities and prepares interns for employment in currently existing practice areas as well as emerging practice areas. All interns participating in MPP complete nine weeks of their training outside Winnipeg to ensure diverse dietetic experiences are obtained across the health care continuum. Within the MPP there is an enhanced emphasis on community-based practice, primary health care, long-term care, rural health care and Aboriginal nutritional health.

2.    How many positions are available through MPP Pre-Selection? 
MPP will accept 20 students per year by the Pre-Selection process.

3.    Who is eligible to apply and when?
Students admitted to the Faculty of Human Ecology’s Department of Human Nutritional Sciences in September 2008 or later, will be eligible to apply to be pre-selected by the MPP with a completion of 60-90 degree credit hours for the 4 year BSc in Human Nutritional Sciences program and 30-54 degree credit hours for students in the second degree program. For example: Students choosing this application route will submit their applications to the MPP on November 1, 2012. The students pre-selected in 2012 will start internship in September 2014 and end the program May/June the following year.
Applying to MPP is an option available to HNS students, not a requirement.

4.    Where can I find MPP Pre-Selection Information?
Information on Pre-Selection is posted on the Faculty of Human Ecology website in the Application Guide and will be updated annually in February.  Two orientation sessions in March and November will be available to students to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application and selection process, and to ask questions.  Exact dates will be posted in the faculty and circulated via email.
 
5.    How many times can a student apply for Pre-Selection?
Students who meet the Academic and Volunteer Activity requirements can apply only once for Pre-Selection during the completion of their undergraduate degree.

6.    Will exceptions or special circumstances be considered?
The guidelines provided in the MPP Internship Pre-Selection Application Guide will be followed, however special circumstances will be considered for reasons of illness or other disability, or for compassionate reasons or if unusual course scheduling issues arise, with appropriate and verified documentation.   If you are concerned about whether you are eligible, please contact the Human Ecology Advising Office for further information.  Special circumstances need to be accompanied with a Special Consideration Request Form.  Please make an appointment to discuss your situation with the Academic Advisors and they will sign/forward the form to the MPP Liaison for consideration by the MPP Manager.
 
7.    How can a student find out if he/she is eligible to apply for Pre-Selection?
Applicants must complete the Faculty of Human Ecology’s, Permission to Access Student’s File Form and Confirmation of Academic Courses, Degree GPA and Credit Hours Form and submit to the Advising Office by to September 20, 2013.   The Confirmation of Academic Courses, Degree GPA and Credit Hours Form will be signed by the Human Ecology Student Advisor and the MPP Liaison and all the documents will be sent directly to MPP for final consideration. Students will be notified by October 11, 2013 via email from MPP if they have met the eligibility criteria and can proceed with the MPP Pre-Selection application submission.  If criteria are not met, the student is not eligible to apply for MPP Pre-Selection.

8.  Can I apply for a Pre-Selection position in fall 2013 if I am graduating in Spring 2014?
Yes, providing eligibility requirements are met.  If selected, you will start internship in September 2015.  However you will have to take the HNSC 4600 Research course starting in January 2015.  You can still apply for traditional route internships offered through MPP or programs in other provinces in February 2014.

9.    When are MPP Pre-Selection applications due?
Pre-Selection applications are due on November 1, 2013 by 4:00pm. Applications can be sent by bulk delivery via the Faculty of Human Ecology General Office (room 209).  All completed applications in an envelope must be received by the General Office on Thursday, October 31, 2013 by 1:30 pm to be included in the bulk delivery to MPP.  You may also send or deliver your completed application directly to MPP as per the address below:

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Nutrition and Food Services
Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program
345 DeBaets Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2J 3V6

10.    When will students be notified of MPP’s decision of acceptance into the program?
Students will receive notification of acceptance or non-acceptance by email from the MPP internship program during the 3rd week of December.
   
11.    Can second degree students apply through Pre-Selection?
Second degree students who meet the eligibility requirements for Pre-Selection can apply in November and be accepted as a pre-selected student and start internship in 2 years (notification during the 3rd week of December). If second degree students are graduating in April, they can still apply in February through the traditional route to the MPP program and be accepted for an internship starting in September of the same year.  In this case, the student would decline their Pre-Selected position.

12.     Can International Students apply for MPP Pre-Selection?
International students are eligible to apply through Pre-Selection.   An international student who is accepted into an internship is responsible for obtaining the necessary documentation to extend their work permit to complete the internship.

13.    Can Graduate Students apply for MPP Pre-Selection?
Graduate students are not eligible for MPP Pre-Selection.

14.    What references are required when applying for MPP Pre-Selection?
Two reference reports are required. The reference reports must be work related (either paid or volunteer work). Referees should be from individuals who have evaluated your work and have the authority to monitor your performance such as a previous/current employer or supervisor of volunteer work.  The individuals you select to complete your reference reports should be able to judge your performance in most, if not all, of the areas on the report form.  Do not use a reference from a family member, friend, peer or work customer/client. Include the work experience your referee is referring to on your resume. 
Only choose a university faculty member if you have worked directly for that individual.
Referees do not need to be dietitians.

15.    Are students allowed to apply or unapply free electives to their program prior to or after the Pre-Selection application?
Please see Faculty of Human Ecology Academic Advisor for information.

16.    What is involved in the Annual Assessment for Pre-Selected Students?
Once a student has accepted a Pre-Selected position, they will be assessed annually (October) to ensure Pre-Selection academic and volunteer activity requirements are met.  If the student fails to meet the requirements, they will not continue as a Pre-Selected student.  

The Annual Assessment requirements are:
• Annual submission of an official transcript
• A minimum degree GPA of 3.0 (Letter Grade B) must be maintained throughout the student’s academic period as a Pre-Selected student. 
• A GPA of 3.0 (Letter Grade B) or better is required in the following courses:
HNSC 2140    Basic Principles of Human Nutrition
HNSC 3300    Vitamins and Minerals in Human Health
HNSC 3310    Macronutrients & Human Health
HNSC 3320    Nutrition Education & Dietary Change
HNSC 3342    Management for Food and Nutrition Professionals
HNSC 4320    Nutrition Management of Disease States
HNSC 4600   Practice-Based Research in Human Nutritional Sciences**
• A minimum 20 hours of relevant skill-based volunteer work per year must be maintained.
• Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program (submission of final official transcript after acceptance as a pre-selected student prior to graduating)

**Pre-Selected students will complete the required practice-based HNSC 4600 Research course during the Winter Term -January to April - in the year their internship starts (i.e. if the internship starts in September 2014, must take HNSC 4600 in January to April 2014). May not be held with HNSC 4120 or HNSC 4122.

17.    What happens if a Pre-Selected student does not meet the annual assessment?
If a Pre-Selected student does not meet the annual assessment, they are not allowed to continue as a Pre-elected student.

18.    If a grade of “B” is not achieved in a course that is listed in the Annual Assessment course listing, may Pre-selected students drop the course and retake it?
Retaking a course to achieve a higher grade in the course or to improve the Degree GPA is not permitted. If a grade of “B” is not achieved or the course has been voluntarily withdrawn (VW), the student will lose their MPP Pre-Selection position.

19.    Will exceptions or special circumstances be considered for Pre-Selected students?
The guidelines provided in the MPP Internship Pre-Selection Application Guide will be followed.  Special circumstances will be considered for medical or compassionate reasons with appropriate and verified documentation.  Special circumstances need to be accompanied with a Special Consideration Request Form from the Human Ecology Advising Office.  Please make an appointment to discuss your situation with the Academic Advisors and they will sign/forward the form to the MPP Liaison for consideration by the MPP Manager.  

20.    When is HNSC 4600 Research Course taught?
It will be taught during the Winter Term every year and must be taken two years following acceptance into the program with the student’s specific pre-selected group. May not be held with HNSC 4120 or HNSC 4122.

21.    Are Pre-Selected students required to take HNSC 4600 Research Course or can they take HNSC 4120 or HNSC 4122 instead?
Students can take HNSC 4120 Senior Thesis or HNSC 4122 Research Project in Human Nutritional Sciences as an elective, but they are required to take HNSC 4600 as the research requirement if they are an MPP Pre-Selected student.