Memphis VA Medical Center
Admission Requirements and Application Instructions
The Catherine Austin Dietetic Internship currently has two tracks. Applicants must specify which track they are applying for in DICAS.1. Internship Only Track: Applicants must have a completed master's degree prior to the start date of the internship to be eligible for this track.
Supplemental Application Materials: Official graduate transcripts showing conferral of a master's degree or letter from graduate advisor indicating anticipated degree completion date if transcripts show the degree in progress.2. Combined Dietetic Internship/Master's Degree Track: Applicants to this track must apply to the University of Alabama online MS Degree and complete the master's degree prior to receiving their verification statement.
Supplemental Application Materials: Letter of Acceptance to University of Alabama.
Admission criteria
(must be completed and documented thirty (30) days PRIOR to the first day of the internship):
- United States Citizen*
- Federal law requires that most people assigned a male gender at birth who live in the US between the ages of 18 and 26 register with the Selective Service System. People required to register but who failed to do so by their 26th birthday, are barred from any position in any Executive Agency.
- Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for both the cumulative GPA and the nutrition/dietetics-specific classes. Under special circumstances the student's efforts of the last 60 hours of degreed program may be taken into special consideration to waive the cumulative GPA and only use the last 60 hours (if GPA >3.0).
- Completion of an ACEND approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
- Students whose 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.
The Memphis VAMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection of interns will be made without discrimination as to age, gender, race, color, religion, handicap, or national origin.
*Interns who anticipate receiving VA-pay must be citizens of the United States (US). Non-US citizen applicants may be eligible to receive a without compensation (WOC) or unpaid appointment if legally able to live and work in the US. Proof of eligibility will be current immigrant, non-immigrant or exchange visitor documentation. All trainees must have a US social security number (SSN) prior to beginning the VA pre-employment, onboarding process. Applicants not eligible to apply for an SSN will not be permitted to train at VA.
DICAS Application Instructions
The Catherine Austin Dietetic Internship at the Memphis VAMC is using the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed here. or email DICASinfo@DICAS.org* with questions. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.
Applicants who apply to internships using DICAS will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
- Why are you interested in this program?
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to:
DICAS Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown MA 02472.
When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an email address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online.
Application Fees
There is no application fee for the dietetic internship program.
Application Review
The Dietetic Internship Director (DID) ensures admission procedures are applied equitably by her review of each application packet to determine eligibility and completeness. Ineligible or incomplete packets will not be scored or included. Each applicant packet is reviewed and scored by the DID and at least 2 preceptors. Applicant packets are retained for one year and thereafter shredded. No materials are returned or copied.
Interviews:
Candidates will be interviewed by phone or video conferencing to make a final selection.
Appointment Procedures
Appointees are to contact the Dietetic Internship Director by phone (901-523-8990 ext 16555) or email (jyotsna.sharman@va.gov) to accept or reject the appointment. The program is under no obligation to hold the opening for applicant who does not accept the appointment by the required date/time.
Appointees must be physically and mentally able to perform the responsibilities of a dietetic intern safely and effectively. Appointees will be subject to background checks at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility at no cost to intern prior to reporting for duty. The dietetic intern must provide documentation of a physical examination within the past year which includes documentation of vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by the CDC including the Covid-19 vaccination. The federal government does not discriminate based on 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 to train at that site (drug screening, vaccinations, background checks, etc).
Appointees accepted into the Combined MS/Dietetic Internship Track will apply to the University of Alabama online graduate program in Human Nutrition and proof of enrollment will be provided to the dietetic internship director prior to starting the program. There is a $65.00 application fee for this program. For application information, deadlines and course descriptions please visit the university website
*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.
