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.

Program Highlights

Individualization of Experiences - Interns' experiences are tailored to their learning needs and interests. Program directors arrange all rotations for interns.

Flexibility with Living Location - Interns attend class meetings in either Blacksburg or Northern Virginia typically twice per month and complete rotations in the geographic area to which they have applied. Locations include Abingdon, Blacksburg, Leesburg, Martinsburg, WV, Richmond, Roanoke, Washington DC metro, Winchester, and others.

Leadership Skill Development - Interns explore and reflect on their own unique strengths. Graduates are prepared to be leaders in their worksites, communities, and within the dietetics profession.

Supportive Learning Environment - A combination of in-person and virtual meetings allow for networking with other professionals, exposure to unique practice areas, and shared learning among peers. 

Optional Graduate Degree Available

All applicants must earn a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement before the start of the internship. Interns have two options for completing our program

• Interns who already have a graduate degree: Complete the internship in 9 months or less, August - April.
• Interns who do not have a graduate degree: Complete the internship simultaneously with a VT graduate degree where half of the 30 graduate credits are earned through internship work. Complete both programs in as little as 15 months.  

Note: if you are in the process of pursuing a graduate degree from another program, you are also eligible to apply to our internship. You will need to demonstrate you have been accepted to that graduate program, you have an established plan of study that can be completed during the internship, and that you can complete the graduate program within three months of finishing the internship.

Individuals who do not have a DPD verification statement and are seeking the RD credential may want to consider Virginia Tech’s Master of Science Degree 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. 

Graduate Requirement

RDN Credential

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.