Dietetic Internship Program

VA St. Louis Health Care System

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Application Information

The VA St. Louis Health Care System Dietetic Internship (VASTLHCS DI) participates in the Spring Dietitian Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) application cycle.  We are currently accepting applications through January 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

Admission Requirements

• Preferred minimum GPA of 3.0
• U.S. citizenship (required for stipend eligibility)
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college/university
• Completed an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) with a Verification Statement of Program Completion

DICAS Application

1. Create an account in DICAS application portal.
2. Select your preferred track, either the VA St. Louis Health Care System Dietetic Internship – Supervised Practice (internship only) or MS-DI Dietetic Internship plus master’s degree (Master of Science and dietetic internship combined). Note: If you won't have a completed graduate degree by the start of the internship, you must apply to the MS-DI track.
3. Complete DICAS application, remembering to include and upload the following requirements:

• Personal Information
• Resume
• Academic history and transcripts
• DPD verification statement or Declaration of Intent
• Supporting information including achievements, experiences, memberships, licenses, and certifications
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation

4. Pay the required fee. The DICAS application fee is $50 for the first designation and $25 for each additional designation.  There is no separate application fee to apply to the VASTLHCS DI.

Application Details

Personal statements should answer the following questions:

• What do you see yourself doing five years from now as a registered dietitian?
• What professional experiences have you had that will help you prepare for that role?
• What characteristics of our program will help you to achieve your career goals? In other words, why are you applying to the VASTLHCS DI?
• What areas of professional and personal growth would you like to work on during the internship? Explain how you would like to improve in these areas.
• Which rotations or projects listed on our website interest you the most? The least?  Which ones do you find the most challenging? The least?

Letters of recommendation should be from the following individuals:

• Two from college professors/instructors
• One from a work or volunteer supervisor

Graduate School

When applying to the MS-DI track, in addition to applying to the internship through DICAS as outlined above, interns must apply to graduate school through the university’s website.

Texas Tech University (TTU)

• Email Dr. Childress at childress@ttu.edu if you plan to pursue your MS degree through TTU while completing your dietetic internship at VASTLHCS.
• Complete the online application through TTU Graduate School. Make sure you are applying to the online MS in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Include your resume, unofficial transcripts, two letters of recommendation, DPD verification statement or letter of intent, and confirm acceptance to the VASTLHCS DI.
• Pay the $75 application fee.
• Be sure to complete your application to TTU by April 15, 2026, for summer start or July 15, 2026, for fall start.
• If accepted and commit to the VASTLHCS DI, you will be guaranteed admission to Texas Tech University Online Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree program.

University of Alabama

• Email Dr. Hylton at tmhylton@ches.ua.edu to confirm your interest in the online Master of Science in Human Nutrition Be sure to specify that you are applying to the VASTLHCS DI.
• Complete an application through the University of Alabama graduate school. Select MS in Human Nutrition, do not select an emphasis, leave this blank.
• Include unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, statement of purpose, resume, and contact information for three individuals to write a letter of recommendation.
• Pay the $65 application fee.
• You must complete the application and be accepted by February 28, 2026, to be accepted into the VASTLHCS DI during the first application cycle.
• It is stronglyrecommended that prospective students complete and submit a Family Education Right and Privacy Act form which then allows university to notify the Internship Director of your acceptance to the master’s program.

University of North Florida (UNF)

• Email Dr. Berg at berg@unf.edu to express your interest in the MS in Dietetic Professional Studies while completing your dietetic internship at VASTLHCS.
• Complete the online application through UNF Office of Admissions. Make sure you are applying to the online MS in Dietetic Professional Studies. In lieu of academic and professional references, include your acceptance letter to the VASTLHCS DI.
• Email Dr. Berg at k.berg@unf.edu to express your interest in the MS in Dietetic Professional Studies while completing your dietetic internship at VASTLHCS.
• Pay the $30 application fee.
• Complete your application to UNF by April 15, 2026, for summer start or August 1, 2026, for fall start.
• If accepted and commit to the VASTLHCS DI, you will be guaranteed admission to UNF Online Master of Science in Dietetic Professional Studies degree program.

Applicant Review

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Selection Committee, which includes the dietetic internship director and dietitian preceptors. The Committee seeks well-rounded individuals with a strong dietetic knowledge base, an understanding of our program, professional goals that align with our offerings, and a strong work ethic. Note: No credit is given for prior learning or work experience before the supervised practice.

Qualified candidates will be offered a virtual interview via Microsoft Teams using Performance-Based Interviewing. A maximum of six interns are appointed annually.

Appointment Procedures

• Applicants will be given a status of acceptance, waitlisted, or rejection at any time throughout the application cycle, but please note all applicants will be notified of their status no later than 9:00 AM CST on March 1, 2026.   
• Applicants offered a position at the VASTLHCS DI must confirm their acceptance no later than 12:00 PM CST on March 15, 2026, via email to angela.franklin@va.gov or by phone at 314-652-4100 ext. 64594.  After this time, the VA St. Louis DI Program has no commitment to hold offers.
• Waitlisted applicants will be notified of acceptance starting March 16, 2026, or sooner if positions become available.
• Following their acceptance, appointees will receive a confirmation letter, which is tentative until all VA hiring and onboarding requirements are completed.

For more information, please see the Application Process for Students and Dietetics Applicant and Program Traffic Rules on  Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' website. 

Onboarding Requirements

Once accepted to the VASTLHCS DI an appointee will be obligated to complete the following requirements before the start of the program:

• Self-attestation acknowledging he or she is physically and mentally fit to perform the essential functions of a dietetic intern
• Proof of up-to-date vaccination status based on the Centers for Disease Control recommended vaccines for healthcare workers. A seasonal flu vaccine will be required and provided prior to flu season while in supervised practice at no cost to the intern.
• Tuberculosis screening/testing within 90 days of supervised practice start of supervised practice
• Satisfactory completion of a Tier 1 background check, which requires a Real ID and fingerprinting, paid for by the VA
• Dietetic interns are not drug-tested prior to receiving an appointment, however, they may be subject to random drug testing anytime throughout the program
• Males will be required to provide verification of Selective Service registration or exemption
• Official transcripts confirming degree completion
• DPD Verification Statement

Note: 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 October 2025

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