Fall Submission Timeline
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Complete application in DICAS | by September 10 11:59pm CT (9:59pm AZ Time) |
| Interviews for finalists | 3rd - 4th week of September |
| Final decisions | Mid-October |
MS/DI VA Track – 16-Month Program
The Master of Science in Nutritional Science and Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) VA track at Arizona State University is a 16-month, ACEND-accredited graduate and supervised practice program designed to prepare students for entry-level practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).
This track provides specialized experience working within the Veterans Health Administration and affiliated community settings while completing graduate coursework and supervised practice concurrently.
Applicants do not need to be veterans or have prior military affiliation. The program seeks students who are passionate about serving veteran populations and interested in interdisciplinary healthcare within federal and community systems.
Integrate research into practice
- Graduate education (31 credits) with an applied research project
- Approximately 1,100 hours of supervised practice completed across VA and affiliated clinical, community, and foodservice practice sites.
Earn resume-building accolades
- A Master of Science in Nutritional Science
- A verification statement from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RDN Exam)
Learn more
Details on program costs, rotation sites, expectations and policies can be found in the VA-Track Dietetic internship handbook
Program overview
The program begins during the spring semester in January with graduate coursework in the MS in Nutritional Science program.
Students continue graduate coursework through the summer, fall, and following spring semesters while completing part-time supervised practice experiences beginning in August.
Supervised practice is completed approximately four days per week across VA and affiliated practice sites throughout Arizona.
The majority of supervised practice experiences are completed at the Phoenix VA Health Care System, where interns gain experience in clinical nutrition, foodservice management, and interdisciplinary healthcare practice.
Additional community-based experiences may include select rotations at affiliated sites such as WIC, AZDHS, and other community health organizations.
Supervised practice placements are coordinated through established ASU-affiliated practice sites. Interns are not responsible for securing their own rotation sites or preceptors.
Interns work closely with preceptors and complete a faculty-guided applied research project throughout the program.
Supervised practice covers
Interns work closely with preceptors and complete a faculty-guided applied research project during the program.
- Acute and long-term care
- Foodservice systems
- Community and public health nutrition
- Specialty care services within the VA system
Steps to apply
Step 1:
Submit your application through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application System
Required materials
- Verification statement from an accredited DPD program (within the last five years)
- Resume with relevant nutrition/dietetics experience
- Official transcripts from all universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (≤ two pages, double-spaced) addressing:
- Your interest in nutrition and dietetics and motivation for applying to the ASU Dietetic Internship
- Experiences, strengths, and skills that will support your success in graduate coursework and supervised practice
- Your ability to work with diverse populations and contribute to compassionate, evidence-based nutrition care
- Your interest in working with veteran populations and/or within a federal healthcare system
- $50 DICAS application fee
Selection criteria
| Ranking of importance for acceptance into the MS and DI program |
|---|
| 1. Personal statement |
| 2. Interview (via Zoom) |
| 3. Dietetics-related work experience |
| 4. GPA (DPD-Professional) |
| 5. Volunteer and research experience |
| 6. Letters of recommendation |
| 7. Non-dietetics-related work experience |
Step 2:
Students should NOT apply to ASU Graduate Admissions until they have been formally accepted into the ASU Dietetic Internship Program.
After acceptance into the Dietetic Internship, applicants will receive instructions for completing the ASU Graduate Admissions application for the MS in Nutritional Science.
Application will include the following
- Official transcript showing a completed bachelor’s degree
- Same resume and personal statement submitted via DICAS
- In the recommendation fields, enter: Robin DeWeese, [email protected] (no additional letters required)
- Do not list DPD prerequisite courses
- $70 ASU Graduate application fee
More information and details
For information about ASU Dietetic Internship costs, schedules, policies and procedures, please see the ASU Dietetic Internship Handbook.