:: The Dietetic Internship Program at West Virginia University Hospitals ::

Selection/Admission Requirements for Dietetic Interns

The Dietetic Internship program follows the equal opportunity policy of West Virginia University Hospitals in its application, admission, and operational policies and procedures. Individuals applying to and/or accepted into the program will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability, or veteran status.

The Internship typically receives about 40-45 applications each year for the 8 positions. The program has an emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy therefore GPA in Nutrition and Science courses are weighed heavily in the selection process. The average GPA for the 2011-12 class is 3.7. The applications are evaluated by a selection committee comprised of the program director, clinical dietitians at WVUH, and current interns. The WVUH Dietetic Internship program does not regularly give credit of prior learning toward program requirements due to the specific experiences and competencies offered at our program.

Appointment to the program will be based on the following areas:

Personal goals and expectations as identified in the letter of application

Evidence of scholastic performance--applicants should have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 with a 3.0 in food and nutrition courses and a 2.6 in science courses. Applicants with lower GPA's (specifically in sciences) have a more difficult time in our program.

Work or volunteer experience-preferably in a related field

Extracurricular activities and leadership positions

Scholastic honors

Letters of reference

Telephone interviews with the screening committee, which will be arranged by the Internship Director

West Virginia residents are given some preference in the application process, but selection is based on highest overall scoring by the selection committee.

West Virginia residents over the years have comprised anywhere from half to none of the selected class.

The internship receives application packets from all over the country. We have had interns from California, Georgia, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Florida among others.

Applicants receive notification from the D&D Digital Computer Matching Service of their acceptance to a program by the middle of April.
Background Checks/Medical Coverage

Once accepted into the program, interns are required to undergo fingerprinting and background checks in addition to having documentation of updated immunizations including TB, MMR and chicken pox (Varivax) vaccine or proof of chicken pox. Updated vaccines will be provided by employee health if not within acceptable date range. Interns are covered during the internship for on the job injury only under a hospital purchased policy (Mutual of Omaha). Payment/medical insurance for any other illness is the intern's responsibility.
Interns will be covered by West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. self-insured trust fund for malpractice while in rotations.

For specific questions contact:
Jill Johnston, MS, RD, LD, Program Director,
at (304) 598-4105 or by e-mail at johnstonj@wvuh.com