Dietetic Internship Program

VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Application Procedures

The VASNHCS DI program participates in the Spring DICAS application process. Applications are accepted starting August 5th, 2026. All applications must be received and completed in DICAS by January 15th, 2027 at 11:59pm Central Standard Time (CST). All applications must be submitted through the DICAS Application Portal. The DICAS fees are $50 for the first application and $25 for each additional application. Paper applications are not accepted. For assistance, contact DICAS customer service at DICASinfo@Dicas.org.

The VASNHCS DI Program is committed to providing equal opportunity for qualified persons for employment and for any educational programs. There is no discrimination with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. 

Internship Only Track: 
Applicants for the Internship only track must have completed a master's degree before the internship start date. Apply through the Spring DICAS Application Portal.

Combined Dietetic Internship/Master's Degree Track:
Applicants interested in the Combined MS/DI track must submit and meet all requirements for admission to: 
1.  VASNHCS DI program through the Spring DICAS Application Portal.
2.  University of Alabama Graduate School* by January 15th. 

GPA Requirements

VASNHCS DI Program

• No minimum GPA requirement

University of Alabama Graduate School

• Minimum overall GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale), or
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate credit hours

More information on GPA requirements can be found here*

All Application Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen by the application deadline. Proof of citizenship (valid passport or birth certificate) must be uploaded as supporting documentation through DIACS. 
• Education: Applicants must provide a completed master's transcript prior to the start of the DI program. 
• Verification Statement: Applicants must possess an official Verification Statement of Completion or Declaration of Intent to Complete from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetic (DPD), with original signatures issued within the last 5 years. If the DPD Verification Statement is more than five years old, applicants must submit a transcript showing six or more recent credit hours in Advanced Level Nutrition or Medical Nutrition Therapy to meet the program's Recency of Education requirement.
• Selective Service: Federal law requires most U.S. males aged 18 to 26 to register with the Selective Service System. Applicants can visit here for more details.
• Background Check: Satisfactory background check conducted by VASNHCS.
• Physical Examination: Satisfactory physical examination (at applicant's expense) including vaccinations as recommended by the CDC or appropriate medical/religious exemptions.
• FERPA Waiver: Signed MS/DI FERPA Waiver for MS/DI Combined Track applicants.

When completing the DICAS application, applicants must provide the name and contact information (specifically an email address) of each reference. This will generate an email requesting completion of an online reference form. Applicants applying to multiple programs must use the same references for all applications. 

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be mailed to:

• Personal Information: Indicate Veteran status, as Veterans receive preferential scoring.
• Education History:
  • A completed DPD program is required prior to internship start.
  • Include all educational history and official transcripts.
  • Explain how additional degrees and/or certifications have prepared you to be successful as a dietetic intern and future RDN. 
• Experience and Honors:
  • List all academic work, volunteer, and leadership experiences.
  • Highlight transferable skills from both dietetics and non-dietetics roles, and describe how these experiences support your success as a dietetic intern.
• Personal Statement (1,000 words or fewer):
  • Why are you interested in the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program? What makes you a 'fit' for our program? Be specific. Sell yourself. Please do not send us a generic personal statement.
  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
  • What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career?
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What are your strengths? What areas do you feel you need to improve in?
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
  • Recommended sources include: one supervisor (current or previous) and one professor (current or previous).

Program Application Fees

• Appropriate application fees sent to DICAS which is $50 for the first program you apply for and $25 for each additional program.
• NO additional application fees for the VASNHCS DI program.
• University of Alabama graduate program has a $65 applicantion fee. For more information on application fees and exemptions can be found here*.

Appointment Procedure
Offers of admission my be extended to any applications deemed complete by the program at any tume during the admission cycle

• March 1: DI Director or designee will email applicants with their decision letter. This letter will indicate whether you have been accepted, waitlisted, or not selected. Waitlisted applicants will receive a final decision by March 11. 
• March 10: Accepted applicants must email the DI Director, Michelle Pearson at Michelle.Pearson1@va.gov, to confirm or decline their offer. No commitment to hold acceptance offers will stand after this deadline. 
• Starting March 11: Waitlisted applicants will be offered available spots via email. Applicants may be emailed sooner if position become available. 
• Once an applicant accepts an appointment, they are expected to uphold ACEND's Dietetics Applicant and Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules*.
• For more information on ACEND's application process for students, visit: Application Process for Students (eatrightprog.org)*. 

Final Appointment: Confirmation letters will be sent to selected appointees. This letter is considered tentative pending successful completion of all VA hiring and onboarding requirements, including but not limited to a background check with fingerpritns, physical/mental health examination, and demonstrating satisfactory immunization/vaccination status. 

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites. The link will open in a new window.