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

Combined Master's Degree/ Dietetic Internship Pathway

The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) Dietetic Internship has affiliation agreements with both East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and the University of Alabama (UA), offering two pathways for prospective interns who do not already hold a master's degree. Applicants may choose to complete their master's degree in person through ETSU or online through UA.

Applicants interested in the MS/DI option must be admitted to the ETSU Graduate School or the UA Graduate School before being admitted to the JHQVAMC Dietetic Internship Program. Please note the following:

• The Program Director at JHQVAMC must receive notification from the applicant — preferably by email — along with documentation confirming acceptance into the graduate program.
• Students must complete all dietetic internship requirements and successfully complete the ETSU or UA graduate program (or already hold a graduate degree) to receive a DI Verification Statement.
• Successful completion of both the dietetic internship and the master's degree satisfies the eligibility requirement to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Of note, acceptance into East Tennessee State University or University Alabama, does not guarantee student’s placement in the James H. Quillen VAMC Dietetic Internship.
• Students who are dismissed from, or who withdraw from, their graduate program may not continue in the JHQVAMC Dietetic Internship. Please review each university's degree requirements carefully using the links below.
• Applicants who have already completed a graduate degree, or who began one prior to applying to the internship, should contact the Program Director to discuss the DI-only completion option offered by JHQVAMC.

Graduate School Options 

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) MS Degree Nutrition Science

The following information describes East Tennessee State University MS Nutrition Science requirements for all prospective interns who do not already have a master's degree. 

• The graduate degree offered through ETSU is an in-person or online program.
• Students pursuing the MS in Nutrition Science at ETSU begin graduate coursework in the fall of Year 1 and continue through the academic year, completing the MS degree in the spring of Year 1. After completing the MS, students begin their supervised practice hours in the fall of Year 2, with an expected graduation in the spring of Year 2.
• You are highly encouraged to select electives that will support your learning and hands-on work at the VA.

Application Information for the MS in Nutrition Science at ETSU: 

• When applying to ETSU, select MS- Nutrition Science.
• You are highly encouraged to select Sports Nutrition route and electives that will support your learning and hands-on work at the VA.
• Select the Fall 2027 admission term.
• An application fee is required.
• A Personal Statement is required. You may be able to adapt your DICAS personal statement to reflect your interest in graduate school and pursuing this degree rather than writing an entirely new document.
• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required.
• Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Graduate (no copies)
• Three Letters of recommendation.
• Applicants with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply for admission to graduate school.
• Applicants must submit both a graduate school application to East Tennessee State University and a separate Dietetic Internship application through DICAS.
• A signed FERPA release will be requested to allow the university to share academic admission and progression information with the Dietetic Internship program.
• Students who are dismissed from the graduate program may not continue in the dietetic internship. Please review ETSU's graduate school requirements carefully.

*Course listings to be updated here once confirmed by ETSU. For additional questions, please reach out to Michelle Johnson, PhD, RD, LDN at Johnsoncme@etsu.edu. 

University of Alabama (UA) MS Degree in Human Nutrition

• Interns do not need to relocate to complete the distance MS in Human Nutrition at UA and may continue working while completing this program.
• As students will be interacting online for the entirety of the MS program, it is important to check out the university’s page on technology requirements that can be found here: UA Technology Requirements.
• Students pursuing the MS in Human Nutrition at UA begin graduate coursework in the fall of Year 1 and continue through the first year. When they begin supervised practice hours in the fall of Year 2, they also continue their online graduate coursework concurrently. Students in this track complete both graduate coursework and supervised practice simultaneously through the spring of Year 2, with an expected graduation in the spring of Year 2.

Information about technology requirements, tech support, and more specifics about an online degree at University of Alabama may be found here:

• Technology Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

Interns do not have to relocate to complete the distance Master of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Alabama and can work while completing the program. Expenses related to program tuition, fees, and scholarships for the master’s degree is located at:
Paying for Graduate School

And more specific to an online degree at: Frequently Asked Questions About Online Degrees

Application Information for the MS in Human Nutrition at UA

• • When applying to UA, do not select a concentration — this allows the application to default to the generalist track.
  • Select the Fall 2027 admission term.
  • An application fee is required.
  • A Statement of Purpose is required. You may be able to adapt your DICAS personal statement to reflect your interest in graduate school rather than writing an entirely new document.
  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required.
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted during the application period.
  • Official transcripts must be submitted after acceptance, mailed to: Box 870118, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
  • Identity verification is required.
  • Letters of recommendation: when prompted for recommender email addresses in the graduate application, provide the email addresses of three individuals who will submit letters on your behalf.
  • Applicants with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply for admission to graduate school. GRE scores are not required.
  • Applicants must submit both a graduate school application to the University of Alabama and a separate Dietetic Internship application through DICAS.
  • A signed FERPA release will be requested to allow the university to share academic admission and progression information with the Dietetic Internship program.
  • Students who are dismissed from the graduate program may not continue in the dietetic internship. Please review UA's graduate school requirements carefully.

  For students enrolling in the UA graduate program, please see the curriculum table below for the required courses and timeframe for completing both the dietetic internship and the MS in Human Nutrition. These courses are designed to prepare you for the internship and for advanced-level practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Key Date Reminders

**Verification Statements are issued once all requirements of the affiliated university and JHQVAMC have been completed.**

Program Contacts

For questions regarding the MS in Nutrition Science at East Tennessee State University:

Michelle Johnson, PhD, RD, LD

Email: johnsonme@etsu.edu

Phone: 423-439-7661

For questions regarding the MS in Human Nutrition at the University of Alabama: Tiffany Hylton, PhD, RDN, LD

Email: tmhylton@ches.ua.edu

Phone: 205-348-6973

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

Page updated: July 2026

return to top