Dietetic Internship Program

Michael E. DeBakey Houston VA Medical Center

Houston Program Intro Program Information Program Rotations Program Mission & Goals Financial Information Application Information Comments From Other Grads Life in Houston Houston VAMC Web Site About the Hospital

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Becoming an RDN is a multi-step process.

1. Earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program. This can be accomplished by completing one of several options which includes, Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program, Graduate Program, DPD ISPP, or Doctorate ISPP to ensure eligibility to take the RDN exam (Dietetic registration exam.) 
2. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam
3. Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable. Commission on Dietetic Registration (cdrnet.org)
4. Maintain registrations by completing continuing education and maintaining competency  https://www.cdrnet.org/PDPGuide                                                                                                                                                                                              

RDN's have been trained in all corners of the globe. There are a few different ways for international learners to become RDN's - visit International Students (eatrightpro.org) to learn more.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN please visit About Accredited Programs (eatrightpro.org)

"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). In addition, CDR requires that individual’s complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Master’s program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

“While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. For more information about state licensure requirements visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration  Commission on Dietetic Registration (cdrnet.org)

Program Overview
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Dietetic Internship has been in existence for 72 years, graduating its first class in 1952. For more than 49 years, the program has been affiliated with Texas Woman's University (TWU) providing students with an edge in today's competitive job market. Our program prepares entry-level dietitians through an integrated approach that reinforces and builds upon the required dietetics academic preparation. This combined Master of Science Degree-Dietetic Internship is a 16-month program that allows interns to become a masters prepared Registered Dietitian in a relatively short time frame. Students complete the supervised practice rotations in 12 months and spend the remaining 4 months working on completing graduate coursework with TWU. Students may choose from two options for completion of their Masters. The thesis option or a coursework option which includes a research capstone. Graduate coursework is completed via face to face courses, on-line courses, hybrid courses, and video teleconference. 

• A 16-month MS/DI program option. Supervised practice portion includes 50 weeks coupled with graduate school coursework at Texas Woman's University in Houston, TX. 
• An internship only option. This option is available for applicants who have a DPD Verification Statement and have previously obtained a Master of Science in Nutrition. There is not a requirement to enroll in the master's degree at Texas Woman’s University if an applicants has proof of completed masters degree. The internship only option will be approximately 12 months from start to finish.

Up to 8 interns total are accepted each year. The program offers a unique opportunity to study nutrition both in the classroom at TWU and in a variety of healthcare environments during the supervised practice portion completed with MEDVAMC and its affiliates. The Master of Science degree in Nutrition provides an edge in today's competitive job market. Upon graduation from the program, the intern will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for dietitians. Completion of both the supervised practice internship and the Masters degree will be required to receive verification statements. 

Curriculum

During the 12 months of the supervised practice portion of the program, interns participate in a wide variety of learning experiences which are focused on clinical dietetics, food service systems management and administration, community nutrition, wellness, and business and industry. Professional conferences and seminars allow for additional training. Dietetic interns learn under the direction of an experienced staff of dietitians whose expertise and specialties include:

• Oncology
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Renal disease
• Diabetes
• Surgery
• Transplantation
• Primary care
• Long-term care
• Rehabilitative medicine
• Home-based care
• Specialized nutrition support
• Whole Health
• Weight management
• Wellness
• Community

Supervised practice experiences and course work are combined throughout the twelve month supervised practice portion. Interns attend classes on campus one day per week (Monday) or participate in on-line or hybrid courses and spend the remainder of the week (Tuesday thru Friday) at MEDVAMC or at an affiliate training site. Weekends are usually free from supervised practice rotations. After the internship and the masters degree is completed, the intern is eligible to sit for the registration examination of the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  

Distance Education

MEDVAMC Dietetic Internship 
The MEDVAMC DI is primarily an onsite and in-person supervised training program. Our program includes a few elements of distance education to enhance the learning experience. MEDVAMC dietetic interns have a dietetic intern office that serves as "home base" at the medical center during the supervised practice portion of the internship. There are 4/12 rotations that function through a hybrid on-site/distance model which means interns and preceptors may work remotely from one another either throughout the rotation or for parts of the rotation. Rotations that utilize this model include WIC, MEDVAMC Specialty rotations (Renal and Liver Transplant), and the MEDVAMC MOVE! Weight Management rotation. Camera's must remain on during distance learning. When interns are in the WIC rotation, they may spend the first one to two days completing required WIC training and orientation and are offered the opportunity to work from home. Once required trainings are completed, the intern will continue the rotation in person at the administrative office and community clinics. When interns are in the MEDVAMC rotations that follow the hybrid model, they will be working at the MEDVAMC main facility and will not be teleworking from home during these rotations, but their preceptor may be in a different location. Communication with preceptors or the DI Director is not impacted by the virtual nature of these rotations. Regular and daily communication between preceptor and intern continues through email, Microsoft Teams and phone.  Interns are currently provided a VA-issued Laptop during the supervised practice portion of the internship. This allows access to the secure VA network and applications while offsite. Interns have access to virtual IT, training, and library services both when onsite or while completing affiliate off-site rotations. Home internet service is recommended for this internship so that interns can work on assignments as needed at home and the internet is also needed for the graduate degree program. 

Texas Woman's University

Graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University is provided both onsite in-person as well as on-line, and in hybrid methods such as video teleconferencing from the Denton campus to the Houston campus.  Onsite courses may include an element of virtual learning, such as a remote guest lecturer, virtual presentations, or virtual assignments. All students have access to a graduate advisor (whom they can see in-person or virtually depending on preference), and most professors will offer both virtual office hours or in person office hours. Interns also have access to library services and IT support as needed both on site and remotely. 

About the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is one of the largest, most complex facilities in the VA system. MEDVAMC provides health care services at 12 locations in southeast Texas. Facilities include our Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and 11 community-based outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Humble, Katy, Lake Jackson, Lufkin, Richmond, Sugar Land, Texas City, and Tomball. The facility and its leadership have received many national awards. Each academic year, more than 1,000 students receive training at MEDVAMC. In addition to dietetic interns, health care students from fields such as nursing, social work, physical therapy, pharmacy, and a wide range of medical and surgical specialties receive training at MEDVAMC. To learn more, visit the facility's website.

Program Calendar 2024-2025

Internship Graduation Requirements

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) establishes requirements for eligibility to take the entry-level registration examination for dietitians. Current requirements include academic preparation, completion of a minimum of a masters degree, completion of an ACEND accredited supervised practice program and confirmation of academic practice requirements by verification. Verification of academic and didactic requirements is necessary for entry in the MEDVAMC Dietetic Internship. Successful completion of the internship allows the student to meet the second requirement of CDR (completion of an ACEND accredited supervised practice program). Graduates of the internship are eligible to take the Registration Exam for Dietitians once successful completion of the 16-month combined program or the 12-month internship only program is achieved. Attainment of the RDN credential also establishes eligibility for licensure at the state level.  For more information about state licensure requirements Commission on Dietetic Registration (cdrnet.org)

Program Completion:

• Satisfactorily completes all unit rotations in the supervised practice experience.
• Registers for required courses at TWU-Houston using suggested curriculum for fall, spring and summer terms; maintains GPA and grades in accordance with established minimums set by TWU and completes Masters degree.
• Completes all assignments by established deadlines.
• Completes final Capstone Nutrition Practicum, meeting all ACEND competencies based on established criteria.
• Pays all fees necessary to attend required meetings, purchase needed resources, and to complete other activities as needed
• Attends all field trips, workshops and seminars as scheduled during the year
• Returns all government-issued or borrowed property at the conclusion of the program
• Abides by all applicable laws governing the conduct of government employees including trainees

For more information or to make an appointment to tour the facility, please contact:
Kristy Becker, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Director, Dietetic Internship Program
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Houston
713-578-5290

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