James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

Johnson City Program Introduction Program Mission and Goals Financial Information Application Guidelines FAQs Program Rotations MS degree Life in Johnson City James H. Quillen VA Medical Center About James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

Application Instructions

Our program participates in the Spring DICAS application and begins August 5th, 2026. Applications in DICAS will be reviewed up until January 15th, 2027 at 11:59pm (EST). Those submitted after the 15th of January will not be considered by the committee, nor will those submitted by mail.

Notification and Appointment Procedure

Note: This section will be updated with additional details following any formal release of guidance from ACEND.

• Applicants will receive notification of their application status on or before March 1st, 2027, at 10 am (EST) for the initial cycle of applications.
• Applicants may receive acceptance, waitlist status, or rejection notification.
• Applicants accepted for the JHQVAMC Dietetic Internship Program must notify the Dietetic Internship Director, Lindsay Howell, via email Lindsay.Howell@va.gov (preferred) or by telephone at 423-979-2678 to confirm acceptance of their offer by March 10th, 2027, at 10am (EST). After this time, the JHQVAMC DI Program has no commitment to hold offers to applicants.
• For applicants on waitlist status, notification of acceptance by email will be sent, should positions become available. Rejection notification will also be sent by email to applicants.

*Of note, the acceptance will be sent via email (email listed in DICAS) to appointees to confirm their dietetic internship appointment. This email is considered tentative until the appointee has successfully completed all hiring and onboarding requirements of the VA including but not limited to a background check with fingerprints, physical examination, and demonstrating satisfactory immunization/vaccination status.

This program is using the online centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at dicas.liaisoncas.com beginning August 5th for the Spring 2027-2028 Application; customer service can be emailed at DICASinfo@Dicas.org. The online application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. EST on the January 15, 2027 program deadline. No paper applications will be accepted. No applicants will be accepted after this deadline. DICAS resources can be found on the ACEND website at EatRightPro.org.

Please familiarize yourself with the Traffic Rules that can be found on ACEND's website at Application Process for Students (eatrightpro.org).

VA-Specific Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete the minimum academic requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

• All applicants must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the application submission.
  • Green cards/work VISAs are not acceptable. If selected, proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization is required as part of Federal Government paperwork.
• Applicants must be able to read, write and speak English fluently and clearly.
• All trainees must pass a background check (paid for by the VA). Should the background check be unsatisfactory, the appointee/intern will be dismissed, and no part of the expenses involved in reporting to JHQVAMC or returning home can be borne by the Federal Government.
• If selected for our program and to be eligible for appointment:
  • Male applicants will be required to have registered for selective service or be exempt and provide verification of their status through Selective Service Online Registration Search.
  • All trainees must be able to show verification of good mental and physical health to meet the needs of a DI.
    • Should the physical examination be unsatisfactory, the appointee/intern will be dismissed, and no part of the expense involved in reporting to JHQVAMC or returning home can be borne by the Federal Government.
  • All trainees must be up to date on vaccinations for health care workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers | CDC and VA (excluding COVID). Requests for vaccination reasonable accommodations or medical exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis after consultation with Employee Occupational Health.
• Check out the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) "Am I Eligible" document for a list of requirements specific for VA health professions trainees (HPTs). Find the document here: Am I Eligible? Checklist for VA HPTs.

JHQVAMC DI Program Admission Requirements

• United States citizen.
• Grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for both the cumulative GPA and the nutrition/dietetics-specific classes, undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• Resume.
• Letter of application/personal statement. This should be completed in 1,000 words or less and include:
  • An elaboration on relevant work and volunteer experience. Experience is a factor that is weighted in the selection of candidates. Non-dietetic related work experience may also be included on your application. If the bulk of your work experience is not related to dietetics, you may wish to explain in your personal statement on how it transfers to dietetics.
  • A description of extracurricular activity related to dietetics. These may include volunteer experiences, food drives, student dietetic club membership, nutrition educational materials and/or classes you have developed, mission work, etc. Describe how these activities/experiences have affected you and will benefit you in your career as a dietitian. Do NOT include practicum experiences as required by your school program. If your extracurricular activities are limited or not dietetics-related, please explain and/or describe how these experiences are beneficial to your future as a dietitian.
  • Provide your "why" for entering the dietetics profession.
  • Finally, applicants should also include a written response for each of the following five (5) questions:
    1. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now as a practicing dietitian?
    2. What personal or professional experiences have you had that you feel will prepare you for that job?
    3. What characteristics or aspects of our program do you feel will help you achieve your career goals? Explain how you will benefit. (i.e., Why are you applying to our program?)
    4. What areas of professional and personal growth would you like to enhance or work on during the internship? (i.e., What are your strengths and weaknesses?) Explain where you are now and how you would like to continue to develop in these areas.
    5. Tell us about a specific time when you felt overwhelmed by life, professional studies, and/or work. How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome? What did you learn from it?
• Completion of an ACEND approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Applicants must have completed the requirements of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and hold a bachelor's from an accredited college or university. Official transcripts indicating the date of confirmation of your degree plus a Verification Statement of Program Completion are required prior to the start of the internship.
• Applicants must show proof of a completed master's degree or enrollment in East Tennssee State University Master's Program in Nutrition Science or University of Alabama Master's Program in Human Nutrition. Please note that no credit will be given for previously obtained learning or work experiences prior to entering the internship program.
  • Of note, effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a Master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). All applicants without a previously obtained Master's degree in clinical nutrition (or related approved field) interested in the JHQVAMC Dietetic Internship MUST apply to the East Tennssee State University Master's Program in Nutrition Science or University of Alabama Master's Program in Human Nutrition by February 1st, 2027 to be considered.
• Mastery of the English language (reading, writing, speaking and comprehension).
• Education Requirements:
  • Dietetic Internship Only option: Minimum of a master's degree in a related field.
  • Combined Dietetic Internship and Master's Degree option:
    • Minimum of a bachelor's degree.
    • Acceptance into University of Alabama MS program or East Tennessee State University MS program. 

While our program is competitive, we take the time to review every application and consider all aspects of the submission. If you are contemplating applying, we encourage you to do so. Should you have questions, please contact us ahead of the application deadline.  We value sincerity and want to hear about your experiences directly from you. We encourage you to use your own voice to share your unique perspective and limit the use of artificial intelligence to support your application submissions. 

Students whose ACEND DPD verification statements are five (5) years or older are required to complete a minimum of 3 academic courses to "refresh" their preparation for this program. Courses may be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level from any accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's program in nutrition. One course must address principles of advanced nutrition therapy; one course must be in biochemistry or other biological study related to human metabolism; and one course must be in research or statistical methods. Transcripts must reflect a minimum grade of "B" in each course.

As of June 2026, students have the opportunity to take the listed required "refresh" courses with our affiliated university, University of Alabama. Those interested in this option will be enrolled in the comparable classes during their first year of the MS and DI combined program. Students must show a minimum grade of "B" in each of the courses indicated below to proceed to their second year with JHQVAMC DI Program and participate in supervised practice. Should a student be found in poor academic standing, a remediation plan will be discussed with the JHQVAMC DI Director, UA Graduate Director, and student.

Note: Currently, an additional background check and drug testing is mandatory for admission to some affiliate community rotations. The intern will be contacted by the affiliate site and is responsible for completing the required tests. The cost is paid by the affiliate site and the results sent directly to the affiliate site. The JHQVAMC is not involved in this process and does not receive the test results. However, if the intern is not allowed to participate in the rotation due to the test results, the intern may be dismissed from the internship program. This will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Application Checklist

Application Fees

• Appropriate application fees sent to DICAS which is $50 for the first program you apply to and $25 for each additional program.
• There is NO SEPARATE APPLICATION FEE for the dietetic internship program.
• Appointees accepted into the Combined MS/Dietetic Internship will be required to apply to the East Tennessee State University Master's Program in Nutrition Science or University of Alabama Master's Program in Human Nutrition graduate program (by February 1st) and proof of enrollment will be provided to the dietetic internship director prior to starting the program. There is a $55.00 application fee for East Tennessee State University or $65.00 application fee for the University of Alabama's program. For application information, deadlines and course descriptions please visit the university website at Admission Requirements and Materials for UA Graduate School.

Items to be uploaded on the DICAS website

• Personal Statement
• Resume
• Completed DICAS application. (Please ensure that your contact information is up to date and correct. This will ensure that the Program Director is able to contact you with final decisions.)
• A total of three letters of recommendation should be submitted to DICAS.
  • Two should be from college professors/instructors and one should be from a work or volunteer supervisor.
  • Letters must have been written within the past 12 months. DO NOT send more than three letters.
• Official transcripts
• Verification statement (or "Declaration of Intent" to complete degree and approved minimum requirements). This form will be completed by your DPD director.
  • If verification statement is older than 5 years, applicant will be required to show transcript indicating that the student has taken the minimum 3 academic courses to "refresh" their preparation for this program.
• GRE will no longer be required for application.
• Proof of citizenship (valid passport or birth certificate)
• Education Requirements:
  • Those applying to Dietetic Internship Only Option: Minimum of master's degree in a related field. Please upload proof of completed Master's (or enrollment in Master's program) if applying for internship only. This can be done by including Master's-level work in uploaded transcripts.
  • Those applying to Combined Dietetic Internship and Master's Degree option: Minimum of a bachelor's degree and acceptance into East Tennessee State University MS Program or University of Alabama's MS program.

Important Dates to Highlight

• August 5th - DICAS portal opens for JHQVAMC DI Program*
• September 15th - JHQVAMC Virtual Open House (12:00 pm EST)*
• October 1st - JHQVAMC Virtual Open House (12:00 pm EST)*
• December 8th - JHQVAMC Virtual Open House (12:00 pm EST)*
• January 15th - Last day to apply to JHQVAMC through DICAS (11:59pm EST)
• February 1st - Last day to apply to University of Alabama or East Tennessee State University.
• March 1st - Offers extended to applicants (by 10:00am EST). Those placed on the waitlist or declined by the program will be notified via email.*
• March 10th - Appointees to accept or reject offers by this date (10:00am EST)*. Appointees to the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center's Dietetic Internship Program are to contact the Dietetic Internship Director by phone (423-979-2678) or by email (Lindsay.Howell@va.gov) to accept or reject the appointment. Appointees must accept or reject the appointment by the deadline provided. The program is under no obligation to hold the opening for any applicant who does not accept the appointment by the required date/time (March 10th, 2027, at 10:00am EST).

*These dates apply to those interested in both JHQVAMC pathways (DI only or MS/DI).

Appointees must be physically and mentally able to safely and efficiently perform the responsibilities of a dietetic intern. Appointees will be subject to background checks prior to reporting for duty. A physical examination (completed prior to onboarding with the facility) must be satisfactory in order to be accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program. The physical examination will include documentation of vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by the CDC. Should the physical examination be unsatisfactory, no part of the expense involved in reporting or returning home can be borne by the federal government. The federal government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age or disability. If, after beginning the internship, it is found that the intern failed to provide honest and/or accurate information regarding their application, interview, etc., they may be dismissed from the program with no further pay or action. At this time drug screening is not required. As a part of your training program requirements you may be required to complete rotations at affiliation sites. The program director will provide you with a list of specific requirements for each affiliate site which must be completed in order to train at that site (drug screening, vaccinations, background checks, etc.).

Selection Criteria and Applicant Review

Applicants will be reviewed by a Selection and Interview Committee, consisting of the DI Director, DI Advisory Committee members and staff dietitians who serve as preceptors. Interviews may be scheduled depending on ranking by the committee and occur between application deadline and late February. The number of interns appointed annually to the MS/DI option and DI-only option will vary each year, for a total of 4 interns per year. If you have questions concerning the number of available spots, please email the JHQVAMC DI Program Director (Lindsay.Howell@va.gov) for availability.

A selection committee utilizes established criteria to select the best-qualified applicants. Overall, the committee is looking for a well-rounded individual with a solid dietetic knowledge base, awareness and understanding of our program concentration, professional goals that match our program, well developed verbal and written communication skills, and who have demonstrated maturity, flexibility and a solid work ethic.

Applications of qualified candidates will be reviewed and scored on GPA, work experiences, volunteer experiences, letters of recommendation and the personalized statement/letter of application. The top candidates will be contacted and interviewed using the Performance-Based Interviewing method. No in-person interviews are conducted.

It is highly recommended that applicants selected for an interview review the following website at VA Careers- The Interview Process to learn about the performance-based interview process and how to prepare. 

Compliance with Equal Opportunity Programs

The Dietetic Internship is in compliance with the institutional equal opportunity policies/programs:

It is the policy of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center to provide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for all qualified persons; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or handicap; to maintain a work environment that is free of any form of unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment; to promote a positive, continuing affirmative program designed to eradicate barriers to employment and to achieve a representative work force, with special emphasis on minorities, women, handicapped individuals and disabled Veterans; to recognize the special employment needs and problems of women and Hispanics, making the Federal Woman's Program and the Hispanic Employment Program integral parts of the total EEO program; and to provide for the prompt, fair and impartial review and adjudication of complaints involving issues of discrimination.

For more information regarding the Dietetics Applicant Process and Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules for the 2026-2027 year visit: Application Process for Students (eatrightpro.org).

* Links above will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. The VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

Page Updated: June 2026

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