Dietetic Internship (MS-VA Track — Fall Match)

The ASU/Veterans Affairs Dietetic Internship with Master of Science degree is a 16-month (three semesters and one summer) program for individuals who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree, as well as the accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics coursework requirements. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The ASU/VA Dietetic Internship provides the supervised practice experience that is required to be eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians. The combined program offers interns the opportunity to complete a Master of Science degree in nutritional science in addition to the required supervised practice component. This program has a concentration in research and meets the competencies for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN). The program requires completion of a 30-credit master’s degree, applied project and approximately 1,100 hours of supervised practice experience.

How it works

The dietetic internship supervised practice provides a well-rounded experience through the continuum of VA health care, from acute care, long-term care, food service systems and community nutrition to specialty care nutrition services. This dietetic internship offers experience providing excellent care to veterans using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process, evidence-based guidelines and nutrition-focused physical exams while integrating all of this within the VA’s progressive technology-based programs.

This combined ASU MS degree and VA Dietetic Internship is an integrated program which starts in January and continues for 16 months, with supervised practice experiences part-time during the day and graduate courses either online or in the evening. Up to four interns will be accepted each year at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHCS) location and up to two interns will be accepted each year at the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare location in Prescott, AZ. The majority of supervised practice is provided within the VA system, with other rotations at various hospitals, public health agencies, and school districts in the surrounding area. In addition to 30 credit hours of MS coursework, interns will also complete applied projects focusing on a nutrition area of research of their choice.

Each intern must successfully complete the objectives for the supervised practice experience and meet all requirements for the master’s degree, including completion of an applied project. Upon satisfactory completion of both the MS degree and the Dietetic Internship, students will be provided with an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Verification Statement indicating their eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Applying

The VA track of the ASU Dietetic Internship uses Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS), an online application system, and the D&D Digital computer matching DI application process.

Please note: Because the VA is a federal agency, you must be a U.S. citizen to apply for and participate in this track of the ASU dietetic internship program. As of October 2021, interns must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to complete rotations at all U.S. VA medical centers and affiliated sites.

• Program applications are submitted using DICAS, an online centralized internship application (email: DICASinfo@DICAS.org). The online application must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Sept. 25 each year. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to DICAS - Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown, MA 02472.
• When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and an email address for each reference. This will trigger an email message requesting completion of a reference form. References will complete the form online. Students submitting more than one application will need to use the same individuals as references for each application.
• Applicants must also register online with D&D Digital for computer matching and select dietetic internship priority choices by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Sept. 25 each year. There is a $65 computer matching fee.

Applicants must

• Provide an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics. This is submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Provide official transcripts showing completion of at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (the bachelor's degree must be completed before beginning the program in January). This is submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Request three letters of recommendation. This is submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Provide a resume. This is submitted with the DICAS online application.
• Provide a one- to two-page personal statement that:
  1. Describes the significant professional responsibilities you have held.
  2. States your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in this ASU/VA MS/DI program.
  3. Describes your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
  4. Indicates your personal research interests as specifically as possible, including any previous research experience you may have acquired.
  5. Indicates your preference of internship location:
     1. Phoenix VA location only.
     2. Prescott VA location only.
     3. You would like to be considered for either location.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Finalists will have an in-person, Skype or phone interview with the selection committee.
• If you are matched into the ASU/VA Dietetic Internship, you must then apply for admission into the ASU MS in nutritional science graduate degree program. We will then admit you to begin coursework during the upcoming spring semester. There is a $70 application fee for the ASU Graduate Application system.

Please note: GRE scores are no longer required to apply, as of Fall 2020.

More information and details

For information about ASU-VA Dietetic Internship costs, schedules, policies and procedures, please see the ASU-VA Dietetic Internship Handbook.

General information