Eligibility

1. Students must have a Declaration of Intent to Complete or a Verification Statement from an ACEND-accredited Dietetics Didactic Program (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program and have earned at least a bachelor's degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent. For specific selection criteria for the University of Virginia Health System Dietetic Internship, please refer to the 'Selection Process' tab.

Students with degrees obtained outside the United States and its territories must review ACEND's guidelines for international applicants. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires individuals with foreign degrees to meet specific requirements to obtain the Registered Dietitian Nutrition (RDN) credential. Please refer to ACEND's website for International Students: International Students (eatrightpro.org)

2. Master's Requirement (Two Options as of the Spring 2023 Match Cycle)

  • Option 1: Completion of a master's degree by the first day of the internship 
  • Option 2: Master's degree in-progress.
    • Must have completed a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours by the first day of the internship 
    • Students must submit a coursework plan and agreement to completed remaining coursework during the dietetic internship or within 150% of program length (i.e., students must complete their Master's degree 4.5 months following internship graduation). 
    • We recommend a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester during the internship. A course load of greater than 6 credits per semester will require internship leadership approval. Coursework should be asynchronous or otherwise able to be scheduled around the internship schedule as outlined above.

At this time, the University of Virginia Health System Dietetic Internship Program is not able to admit international students on work or student visa. A student is considered eligible if they are a dual U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or U.S. citizen living abroad.

Health Requirements

Upon admission to the internship program, interns must complete paperwork verifying immunizations. These requirements are set by UVA Employee Health and are subject to change based on policy updates. As of August 4, 2023, the primary COVID 19 vaccination will no longer be required. UVA Health continues to recommend primary COVID 19 vaccination and boosters for healthcare workers (including dietetic interns). Interns will be required to receive the annual flu vaccine in the fall (provided by the health system). Interns must submit official health records for required vaccines and/or titers prior to the start of the program. For specific questions, please reach out to internship leadership.

Interns must also complete drug testing. Requests for completion will be sent in advance. Of note, UVA Health released the following statement “Although Virginia law now permits the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and the use of cannabis by people 21 and older, UVA’s policies regarding cannabis usage and testing are not changing. UVA will continue to comply with federal law, which prohibits all use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana at U.S. educational institutions. Individuals found in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate personnel sanctions up to and including termination."

Interns must hold health insurance during the internship's entirety. Health insurance is not provided by the internship program.

Background Check

Interns are required to successfully complete a background check. The background check will be administered by Morrison Healthcare. Additional information will be sent prior to the start of the internship program.

Professional Liability

Interns must obtain individual professional liability insurance. Information will be provided in accepted intern communication emails.

Additional Requirements

In order to graduate from the internship program and receive a verification statement, the dietetic intern is required to meet all the 2022 ACEND competencies. The intern is also expected to uphold standards of professional conduct established by the internship program. Upon graduation and completion of required competencies and additional requirements, interns will be issued a verification statement and are eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Registration Examination for Dietitians. 

Additional requirements are as follows:

1. Interns are expected to meet all the requirements and assignments of rotations.

2. Interns are expected to complete a clinical project, which may entail a QI project, a community/clinical/management project, or an in-depth case study. A project proposal and presentation are part of this assignment.

3. Interns are expected to give a class day presentation on a topic of their choice during the second half of the year.

4. Interns are expected to maintain professional standards of conduct within each of their rotations. Interns are expected to comply with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Code of Ethics and the University of Virginia Honors System. Additionally, interns are required to complete a plagiarism module within the first month of the internship.

5. Interns are required to complete a minimum of four community leadership/volunteer activities, including two cooking demos.

6. Interns are required to create a resume.

7. Interns are required to present a business plan proposal in coordination with another intern.

8. Interns are to complete all assigned quizzes throughout the year with a minimum score of 80%.

9. Interns are evaluated as follows:

  • Rotation evaluations completed by the preceptor(s) at the end of each rotation
  • Evaluations of the following assignments: project proposal, results of clinical project, project presentation, class day presentation, and business plan
  • Mid-Year and Final Evaluation completed by internship leadership
  • Other assignments and activities as applicable.

10. Interns are expected to participate in departmental activities including National Nutrition Month.

11. Interns are required to attend conferences/meetings of professional organizations (VASPEN, Legislative Day, VAND) as required by the internship schedule.

12. Interns are expected to complete the program within 13.5 months.