Overview
The WVU Graduate Dietetic Internship is a two-year combined master’s/ internship in dietetics program for individuals who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree as well as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) coursework requirements. The dietetic internship provides the supervised practice experience that is required to be eligible to write the registration examination for dietitians. The combined program offers interns the opportunity to complete a Master of Science degree in addition to required supervised practice component. There is a thesis as well and non-thesis option for completion of the Master’s degree. The program provides interns with 1200 hours of supervised practice experience.
The first year of the internship consists mainly of graduate coursework at WVU. Interns complete research under the guidance of graduate nutrition faculty. Graduate faculty members areas of interest include nutritional biochemistry, 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. Supervised practice placements for the internship begin the summer between the first and second year.
The intern must successfully complete the objectives for each supervised practice experience and meet all requirements for the Master’s degree, including writing a thesis or problem report and passing the defense. Upon completion of the GDI program requirements, the program director will issue the student a verification statement.
