WVU Dietetic Internship

The WVU internship is a two-year master’s degree internship that exposes students to a wide variety of experiences in community, food service, and clinical nutrition settings. These sites offer opportunities for clinical or community nutrition, nutrition education, and foodservice management.

The intern must successfully complete the objectives for each supervised practice rotation and meet all requirements for the Master’s degree, including writing a thesis or problem report and passing the defense.

When an intern successfully completes the WVU Internship supervised practice requirements and the University requirements for graduation, the intern is eligible to take the RD registration exam. Once the intern has successfully completed an internship, but has not passed the RD exam, the intern must apply for a provisional license in West Virginia or other states that have licensure for dietitians. Medical nutrition therapy cannot be practiced in WV without licensure. A provisional license in West Virginia will be changed to a regular license once the RD exam is passed.

Mission

The mission of the Dietetic Internship program is to provide the graduate with the skills and knowledge to be a competent food and nutrition professional who in engages in lifelong civic activities beneficial to human health, as a Registered Dietitian. Equally important, successful completion of the program prepares the graduate to sit for the rigorous examination to become a registered dietitian.

The mission of the DI is consistent with the missions of the University, the Davis College, and the Division of ANS, i.e., to provide a high quality, student-centered educational experience. Part of the mission of WVU is ”... to bring the resources of the University to all segments of society through providing high quality programs of instruction: The WVU/DI provides high quality service to the residents of West Virginia when the interns are engaged in practitioner experience in the field of nutrition. The interns are able to provide professional nutritional services to community members enrolled in wellness programs, to residents with chronic diseases, and to consumers dining in the hospital cafeterias and WVU dining services facilities.

Intern Goals

1. Prepare interns for careers as registered dietitians.

Over a five-year period, 80% of the DI graduates will successfully complete the registration examination on the first try.

Over a five-year period, 70% of the graduates who seek employment will be employed in dietetics-related positions within three months of completing the program.

During the first year of employment, program graduates will be ranked by at least 75% of their employers as above average in professional knowledge and skills as compared to other entry-level dietitians.

When surveyed, 90% of employed graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for their first position.

2. Recruit, retain, and graduate a highly motivated and diverse population of interns.

Ninety percent of the students admitted to the DI will complete the program within 3 years of beginning the program. (The DI is designed to be completed in 2 years; 3 years is 150% of the planned time.)

Interns admitted to the program will rate as “satisfactory” or better on scores on advising and counseling provided by the faculty

3. Provide mentoring opportunities to foster participation in research on food and nutrition.

Seventy percent of the full time HNF & ANS faculty will conduct research related to food, nutrition or dietetics.

The Department will offer a Human Nutrition and Foods Journal club, and 70% of interns will attend at least 2 seminars.

100% of interns will be assigned to a major faculty advisor.

4. Instill interns with a commitment to community service.

Fifty percent of interns will participate in at least two service-learning activities.

Eighty percent of program graduates will indicate on an alumni survey that they participate in one or more community service activities.

Clinical Rotations

Interns complete clinical rotations at two regionally recognized hospitals, Monongalia General Hospital and Health South MountainView Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. A staff of experienced Registered Dietitians directs learning at each of these locations.

Foodservice Rotations

Our interns have the advantage of a varied foodservice rotation in collaboration with the WVU Dining Services unit. Opportunities include:

Dormitory catering
Public service at the Mountainlair’s sit-down restaurant, Hatfield’s
Helping plan and cater University events for 5 to 500 guests
Assisting with quick meals and prepared snacks at Dining Services’ satellite sites

Nettie Freshour, R.D., L.D., is the dietitian in charge of foodservice rotations. She oversees the Healthy U program while also directing student wellness events.

Community Rotations

Interns provide nutrition education at a wide variety of programs within the community. These programs include:

4-H Camps
WVU Extension Service’s Dining with Diabetes
WIC Offices
Child Nutrition Sites (School Foodservice)
Health Insurance Wellness Sites

Additional Rotations

Interns may also work with strength coaches to address the nutritional needs of athletes in WVU’s award-winning football and basketball programs. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in sports nutrition and exercise physiology.

Graduate Coursework

The first year of the internship consists mainly of graduate coursework at WVU. Interns complete research under the guidance of graduate nutrition faculty. Research opportunities are available in many different areas, and writing journal articles or being published in peer review journals is encouraged. Graduate faculty members areas of interest include nutritional biochemistry, metabolism, food science, and community nutrition. Courses for the first year typically include biochemistry, physiology, statistics, nutrition, and seminar. Second year coursework typically includes a nutrition course, research, and independent studies. Clinical placements for the internship begin the summer between the first and second year.

Background Checks and Drug Screens

If a facility requires a background check, the intern is responsible for paying the fee. The West Virginia Police provide these services. Cost to intern: $20

If a facility requires a drug screening, the intern is responsible for paying the fee.

Prior Learning

The WVU Internship does not grant credit or supervised practice hours for prior learning.

Privacy Policy

The dietetics program adheres to West Virginia University’s policy based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Additional Fee

Monongalia General Hospital interns must attend a mandatory orientation. Cost to intern: $5

Verification Statement

Upon completion of the DI program requirements, the program director will issue the student a verification statement.

Sample Plan of Study:

AgBio 410: Introduction to Biochemistry 3
AgBio 512: Nutritional Biochemistry 3
ANNU 696: Current Issues 1
ANNU 696: Current Issues 1
A&VS 595: Independent Study 3
A&VS 595: Independent Study 3
A&VS 797: Research 3
A&VS 797: Research 3
HN&F 493c: Maternal/Child Nutrition 3
HNF 495: Independent Study 2
HNF 495: Independent Study 2
HN&F 610: Nutrition and Fitness 3
HN&F 691B: Nutrition in the Prevention of Chronic Disease 3
HN&F 695: Independent Study 1
Psio 441: Mechanisms Body Function 4
Stats 511: Statistical Methods I 3
Stats 512 Statistical Methods II 3

Graduate Student Dietetic Association

The purpose of the Graduate Student Dietetic Association (GSDA) is to provide framework for meaningful graduate student involvement and to stimulate interest in the profession of dietetics. The WVU GSDA does community nutrition outreach programs through the Healthy Together Network at Scott’s Run Settlement House. WVU Dietetic Intern and MS candidate Megan Govindan received the 2007 General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids $10,000 grant to implement a youth health promotion program she designed called the “Helping H.A.N.D. (Health Awareness & Nutritious Decisions) at the Shack Neighborhood House, an afterschool center for children. The GSDA uses funds from this grant to do community nutrition programs at The Shack for children grades K-5.

2007/2008 Officers

President/Founder: Megan Govindan
Vice President: Elizabeth Parsons
Secretary: Jess Carman
Treasurer: Heidi Schoeppner

Recent Achievements by WVU Interns

2008 West Virginia Outstanding Dietetic Intern of the Year- Megan Govindan, class of 2008
First Place Master’s Poster Section, Blue & Gold Research Competition- Kayla Bridges, class of 2009

Tuition and Fees

See WVU’s Financial Aid Office for additional details. Interns are able to defer student educational loans while participating in the internship.

Interns in the program are required to purchase a lab coat, at a cost of approximately $25 to $30. Student membership in the ADA is required, at a cost of $49.00.

The WVU Dietetic Internship participates in the spring D&D Digital American Dietetic Association computer matching program. Applicants may register for computer matching at their website.

Accreditation

The WVU Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted continued accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.

Application Process

Applicants must complete two different application forms, one for the internship and one for the graduate school. You may apply online for graduate admission at WVU; however, the internship application must be mailed.

Internship application requirements include:.

3 letters of recommendation
Completed ADA Application Form
Letter of application
Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended
List of courses to be completed prior to graduation and letter of intent signed by a university didactic dietetics program representative

To download internship application materials, click here.

Mail applications to:

West Virginia University
c/o: Betty J Forbes, M.A., R.D., .LD.
Program Director, WVU Dietetic Internship.
Agricultural Sciences Building, Room G6
Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
P.O. Box 6108
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108