Program Policies and Costs

A Virginia Tech Nutrition and Dietetics Intern smiles with another person as they prepare food.

Program Costs

The internship program fee is $9,000. The fee for ISPP interns is $10,000.

Interns who simultaneously pursue Virginia Tech’s Online Master of Science in Agriculture and Life Science (OMALS) will also pay tuition according to the bursar’s fee schedule. Per the 2024-2025 rates, the total cost of the OMALS degree is approximately $30,000. The tuition is the same regardless of state residence. Virginia Tech DPD students who dually enroll in up to 9 credits in the OMALS program during their final undergraduate semester can reduce their costs proportionally.

Other Expenses

Virginia Tech internship application fee	$50
DICAS fee ($50 for the first program; $25 for each additional program)	Varies
Rent	Varies *
Food	Varies
Transportation (gas, insurance, parking, etc.)	Varies **
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership	$58
Textbooks	$200
Health Insurance	Varies
Pre-placement immunizations and physical exam	Varies
Background check and drug screen	$100
Additional pre-placement requirements	$100 ***
Laptop computer, printer (or printing access), and high speed internet	varies
Lab coat	$25

*Rent varies significantly in different areas of Virginia. Most interns choose to reduce costs by sharing an apartment with a roommate, particularly in the higher-cost areas of Northern Virginia.

**Many rotations are not easily reached by public transportation. A vehicle or other means of private transportation is needed to get to most supervised practice sites and some class meeting locations. Expenses depend on location and commuting distance. To reduce transportation demands, interns are encouraged to discuss geographic considerations with the program director prior to committing to housing.

***Expenses depend on the requirements of an intern’s supervised practice sites. Some interns will need to be certified in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Others may need to demonstrate ServSafe certification.

Financial Aid

Individuals pursuing Virginia Tech’s OMALS program or another graduate degree program can apply for federal financial aid. Individuals seeking information about loans and deferments during Virginia Tech’s non-credit internship program may find this document helpful.

Assessment of Prior Learning Policy

Interns with substantial prior experience may be eligible for a waiver towards a portion of their supervised practice hours. To evaluate and award credit for prior learning experiences, interns should discuss with the program director if they have either or both of the following:

At least one year (or 2,000 hours) of employment in a related professional setting.
Graduate level research, practicum, or field experience related to food, nutrition, or public health.

If a waiver is granted based on evaluation of prior learning experiences, interns are still expected to attend all class meetings or substitute with equivalent learning experiences.

Immunizations, Background Checks, and Drug Screens

Interns must provide documentation of all required immunizations, including COVID-19, in order to meet affiliation agreement requirements of our supervised practice sites. Waivers may not be available for students or interns. Inability to meet these requirements will result in dismissal from the program.

Interns must successfully complete a background check and drug screen. Inability to pass may result in inability to be placed in practice sites and ultimately in dismissal from the program.