Dietetic Internships

WIC Dietetic Internships
The WIC-based internships were developed to help employees advance their careers and to meet the growing need for registered dietitians (RDs) in WIC programs. The statewide coordinator is a resource to all California WIC programs regarding educational options available to help employees advance their careers to RDs.

Qualified WIC employees receive selection priority for a WIC dietetic internship.
WIC employees with a “Verification Statement” and a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are encouraged to apply to WIC dietetic internships. Each WIC internship has specific application requirements. At one, you may be required to work for the WIC agency sponsoring the program; at another, priority for selection is offered to applicants working for any California WIC program. Others may also participate in the ADA's national computer matching process for selecting interns. Important criteria for selection are: culture and language skills working with diverse populations. A strong desire to work for WIC as a registered dietitian upon completion of the internship is a definite plus.

WIC internships prepare culturally sensitive RDs for important careers in community nutrition. WIC-based dietetic internships are accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

A minimum of 1200 hours of post baccalaureate supervised professional practice is provided in a year long program. Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship, graduates are qualified to sit for the registration exam to become a registered dietitian. WIC internships emphasize community nutrition, however, excellent training is also provided in food service management and medical nutrition therapy to insure that internship graduates are competent in all areas of dietetics. WIC internships also allow interns to continue working at WIC part-time during the program.

For more information about WIC dietetic internships in California and how to apply, click on the thumbnail California map to the left.

California WIC Dietetic Internships Locations.
Click on map to view
larger version.

Distance Dietetic Internships

There are several colleges and universities throughout the country offering dietetic internships through "distance education." These programs may also be called "distant learning," "Web-based," or "online" dietetic internships. A distance program may be a good option if you do not live in an area where there is a local or traditional dietetic internship. Another factor that may make this a good option is there may be less competition for a distance program than for a local dietetic internship, especially in California.

Most distance programs allow you to complete the entire internship in your own community and the hours are sometimes more flexible. However, the challenge is that you are required to locate your own preceptors and supervised practice facilities as part of the application process. Generally, you will spend about 30-40 hours a week in a supervised practice setting, plus you will have additional assignments, readings, projects and exams online each week. There are many pros and cons to each distance program and you must carefully consider all the requirements before you choose this option. Distance internships can be costly in time and tuition, so you want to make sure this is the right program for you. Many WIC employees are completing distance dietetic internships to become RDs. For a list of distance programs, go to the ADA Website.

Are you self-directed and motivated? In a distance program, you are responsible for setting up all of your supervised practice experiences. You need to be confident and motivated initiating contact with local registered dietitians to establish agreements with them to be your preceptors.

Do you have strong reading skills? Reading is a large part of any class and especially online. The ability to read and comprehend subject matter is critical to your success.

Does written communication come easily for you? Since all communication from intern to the internship director is online, you should be confident and at ease with writing to express your thoughts, share ideas, ask questions and complete assignments.

Are your technical skills adequate? You will need to have good experience and knowledge of using your computer system in Web-based communications. Along with computer skills, you will also need to be comfortable with the amount of typing required.

Will you ask questions when you need to? If you typically don't hesitate to seek help when you need it, you'll do fine. Without face-to-face or classroom contact, your instructor won't know you have a problem unless you ask.

Are you realistic about the time commitment? Distance education is at least as time consuming as campus classes and is usually more time consuming.

Are you well-organized and self-disciplined? In a distance program you are in charge of scheduling and managing your time effectively. You need to have good organizational skills and discipline to set aside adequate time for study and to complete projects and meet deadlines.

Will you miss the social interaction? Interaction with the instructor and classmates is often an important part of the learning experience. Consider how important it is for you to have face-to-face and social interaction in your learning and communication style.

Successful Traits of Online Students

Self-directed	Motivated
Comfortable with computers	Uses e-mail, Internet browser, word processor
Likes to read and write	Inquisitive
Disciplined	Independent

Coordinated Dietetic Programs (CP)

A CP may be a bachelor's or master's degree program that combines the required dietetics coursework and supervised practical experience. A CP is CADE-accredited to provide both the academic and supervised practice components necessary to be a RD. The CP must provide the required dietetics coursework and at least 1200 hours of supervised practice within an academic program leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree. Graduates of Coordinated Programs who are verified by the program director are eligible to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians. Today, there are coordinated programs offering distance education.
Click here for more information and a list of CP programs.

Dietetic Internships and Qualifications

To apply to a DI, individuals must complete at least a bachelor's degree and CADE-approved coursework requirements to receive a “Verification Statement” (Didactic Program in Dietetics). Appointments to DIs are awarded on a competitive basis and most use a national computer matching process. Programs like WIC may not participate in computer matching and accept applications only from WIC employees. Prospective applicants must contact the programs for current information, including application procedures. Go to the ADA Website for more information.

There are over 20 local dietetic internships in California, and another 12 distance internships throughout the country. Every program has specific qualifications and requirements. However, there are two basic requirements for all dietetic internships.

Bachelor's or Master's Degree: You must complete the educational and professional requirements established by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate or graduate degree program.

Verification Statement (VS): You must have a valid signed verification statement. A verification statement documents that an individual has completed the requirements of a dietetics education program accredited or approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE). Verification statements can be signed only by the program directors of CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education programs.

After you complete DPD requirements you will then need to apply for and be accepted into a CADE-accredited dietetic internship (DI) program to complete the supervised practical experience required to be a RD. A DI must provide at least 1200 hours of supervised practice and is usually completed in 6-24 months depending on the availability of a part-time schedule or requirement of graduate credit. Individuals completing the program who are verified by the program director are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.

Foreign Degree

If you obtained your education outside the U.S. and its territories, you must have your academic degree(s) validated as equivalent to the bachelor's or master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for a "Verification Statement (VS)" of completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics
(DPD). In most cases, the degree from another country may not meet all the requirements of the U.S. DPD program. The DPD director may require you take additional classes before you would receive a VS.

You will need to obtain an Official Review Document before you can request a verification review by the program director of a CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education program in the United States. There are several agencies that can review your transcripts and provide you with a "Credential Evaluation Report." For more information on credentialing requirements, go to the American Dietetic Association Website.

Applying to a Dietetic Internship

Applying for a dietetic internship takes good planning and preparation. Some important considerations are presented in the presentation, Applying to a Dietetic Internship (PPT).

Tips on how to be the best applicant for a position as a dietetic intern in a WIC Dietetic Internship:
How to Be the Best Applicant

The following are additional Web links for helpful information on preparing and applying for dietetic internships:

DI Information

I work for WIC, can I apply for a WIC internship?

I received my verification statement several years ago; can I still apply for an internship?

Can WIC help me with a distance internship?

Will my experience as a WIC Degreed Nutritionist help me get a dietetic internship?

Q. I work for WIC, can I apply for a WIC internship?

Qualified employees from any California WIC program may apply to the Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship and the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship. As a WIC employee, you receive priority consideration of your application. You are not required to apply for the internship through the ADA's national computer matching system but apply directly to the WIC internship. Your work experience at WIC and culture and language skills are very important in the selection process. A strong desire to continue working for WIC as a registered dietitian upon completion of the internship is also an important consideration. At the completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians. For more information on each program and application requirements, click here to go to the larger map with links for the Central Valley and San Diego WIC Dietetic Internships.

Q. I received my verification statement several years ago; can I still apply for an internship?

The ADA no longer places a time limit on the "Verification Statement" (VS). However, if you completed a dietetic program several years ago and your VS indicates it was a "Plan IV" program, your certification is no longer valid. You will need a current VS to qualify for an internship, and that would probably require taking some additional classes. Even if you have a valid VS, some internships may require you take additional classes to update your knowledge in medical nutrition therapy and food service administration if you've been out of school a few years. You should check with the internship director regarding application requirements.

Q. Can WIC help me with a distance internship?

The great thing about WIC is the RDs you are working with usually have colleagues at local hospitals, school food service and other organizations and can help you identify preceptors. WIC is very supportive of your efforts to become a RD and may offer part-time employment while you're completing a dietetic internship. After you have evaluated the requirements of the distance internships you are considering, talk to your supervisor about the programs and see how they may be able to help you.

Q. Will my experience as a WIC Degreed Nutritionist help me get a dietetic internship?

Absolutely! If you are a WIC employee for any agency in California, you can apply for the Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship or the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship. WIC employees are given selection priority which means you apply directly to the WIC internship and you do not apply using ADA's computer match system. The WIC programs are part-time and located on-site in the San Diego and Central Valley areas. Important selection criteria include your WIC work experience and a strong desire to work for a WIC agency in California as a registered dietitian upon completion of the internship. If you cannot relocate to one of the WIC dietetic internships, you may want to consider a distance internship. The statewide coordinator will work with you to determine your best choices for an internship and resources available. Complete the California WIC Career Development Form (Microsoft Word Doc) and e-mail your completed form to Nancy at nnesa@projects.sdsu.edu or fax to 858.569.7906.