Virginia Tech Internship in Nutrition and Dietetics

Our mission: Preparing confident and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who can balance evidence-based practice with client-centered care.

Quotes from 2024 Graduates

“There were so many amazing things about this internship but I think my favorite part was being able to experience and learn about so many different roles that dietitians have. And more importantly, I learned about the impact they have and which one day I will have on other people’s lives.”

I feel like I have grown a lot in my skills as a future dietitian and my comfort in public speaking. I am so glad I was part of this great cohort and I will miss everyone. I am grateful for great preceptors and rotation sites. I have learned to advocate for myself as well.”

“My favorite part of the internship was the flexibility and personalization of the program. I loved my preceptors and the other students in the program (and how we all came from different backgrounds). I felt as though I was able to experience everything that I was interested in and got the most out of the program. I enjoyed changing rotations and how every week looked a little different. I also appreciated the flexibility of being in person vs virtual.”

“I loved the support and flexibility I felt from my director and from my classmates. Everyone always made me feel comfortable and welcome. I felt like I was set up for success from the beginning and the problem solving from my director was stellar!

Program Size

Our program offers 20 total intern positions while maintaining a close-knit community.

Locations

Our primary locations are the Washington, DC metro area and Blacksburg/Roanoke. We also have positions available in other areas of Virginia and beyond. Interns complete rotations only in the geographic area to which they have applied and been accepted. Options include Abingdon, Blacksburg/Roanoke, Charlottesville, Martinsburg (WV), Richmond, the Washington DC metro area, Williamsburg, and Winchester. 

Collaborative Learning

Interns come together weekly for in-person and virtual classroom learning experiences. In-person class meetings are held typically twice per month on Virginia Tech campuses in Blacksburg and Alexandria; interns in all of our locations attend these in-person classes on the campus that is nearest to them. 

Additional Program Highlights

• Optional Graduate Degree - Interns who have not yet earned a graduate degree may pursue one simultaneously through our partner Virginia Tech program. 

• Early Enrollment Opportunity - Eligible candidates are encouraged to participate in our fall application option for early enrollment. (See our application and selection page for more information.)

• Individualization of Experiences - We tailor interns’ experiences to their unique learning needs and interests. Program faculty arrange all rotations.

• Leadership Skill Development - Interns explore and build on their leadership skills. ​​Graduates are prepared to be leaders in their worksites, communities, and within the dietetics profession.

• Supportive Learning Environment - Interns build strong relationships; there are many opportunities for networking and exploring unique areas of dietetics practice.

Optional Graduate Degree Available

Interns in our program must hold a graduate degree to receive an internship verification statement and be eligible to sit for the RDN exam. We offer an optional M.S. degree that interns can complete simultaneously with our internship through our partner Virginia Tech program - the 30-credit Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS). Half of these credits are aligned with the internship for a cohesive experience. We encourage you to attend an internship information session to learn more about how the internship and OMALS program will fit together to meet your goals. 

Interns who already have a graduate degree are not required to enroll in any graduate credits as part of the internship. Interns who wish to complete another graduate degree alongside the internship (other than our partner OMALS degree) are welcome to do so if their plan of study is conducive to the internship schedule. 

All applicants to our internship must earn a bachelor’s degree and Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement before the internship start date in August. If you do not have a DPD verification statement, we encourage you to consider Virginia Tech’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Virginia Tech's Internship in Nutrition and Dietetics meets the supervised practice requirement for eligibility to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Internship Program Length and Timeline

• Candidates who have already earned a graduate degree can complete our internship and be eligible for the RDN exam in 9 months or less (August - April/May).
  

• Candidates whose highest degree is at the bachelor’s level can complete our internship and be eligible for the RDN exam in 15 months while they simultaneously earn a master’s degree through our partner Virginia Tech program. They begin online graduate classes during the summer preceding the internship and finish all degree requirements in August of the following year.
  

• Candidates who are in the process of earning a graduate degree (other than our partner Virginia Tech degree) can complete our internship and be eligible for the RDN exam in 9-12 months. Their specific timeline will depend on when they finish their graduate degree.

Other Pathways to Earn the RDN Credential and Practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides information on the requirements and pathways to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement, visit CDR’s website. CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Verification Statement, Registration Exam, and Licensure Disclosure

Interns must achieve all competencies identified in the Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Programs established by ACEND. Program graduates will receive a verification statement enabling them to register for the CDR exam to earn the registered dietitian nutritionist credential.

Licensure

In accordance with the Department of Education's Federal Regulations, Virginia Tech discloses whether its educational programs leading to careers that require licensure meet educational requirements for professional licensure in each state.

While RDNs practicing in the state of Virginia do not need additional state licensure/certification, RDNs who intend to practice out-of-state may need to apply for state licensure/certification depending on state requirements. Licensing requirements vary by state. The internship provides 1000 hours of supervised practice, which meets typical state requirements for licensure. 

Contact

Accreditation

The Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted accredited status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-899-5400. ACEND Website.