Entrance Requirements
- Minimum DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- GRE taken within the last 5 years
- Verification statement from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited undergraduate or certificate program in dietetics
- Submission of the Dietetic Internship Application using the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS): https://portal.dicas.org.
- Completion of the Vanderbilt Dietetic Internship Supplemental Application
- Participation in the online match using the D and D Digital online Dietetic Internship Matching Service for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- All course work must be successfully completed before the program begins in June
- Degrees granted more than 3 years prior to application must be updated through completion of additional course work in MNT/the nutrition care process and food systems management.
- A personal interview is not required for acceptance into the Vanderbilt Dietetic Internship.
Foreign Applicants
VUMC is not able to admit international students at this time. Green Card holders are not considered International Applicants and are therefore eligible for admission consideration.
- The program considers applicants as an international student if the applicant is a citizen of any nation other than the United States of America. Applicants will not be considered as an international student if you are a dual U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, refugee/asylee, or a U.S. citizen living abroad.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice
- Meet all curriculum requirements: acheive a minimum overall score of 85
- Complete program requirements within a minimum of 10 months. However, the maximum time frame for completing the program is 15 months (150% of the 10 month program)
- All financial obligations are met as confirmed by the VUMC Center for Programs in Allied Health
- Completion of the intern section of the Commission on Dietetic Registration REPS Eligibility Application Form
Licensure
The Vanderbilt Dietetic Internship Program provides comprehensive supervised practice experiences as a route to eligibility for the national credentialing examination for Registered Dietitians as well as for licensure in Tennessee. Many states require licensure before being able to practice as a Registered Dietitian. Please check licensure guidelines for the state in which you plan to seek employment.
Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian
1. Minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university
2. Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics.
3. Completion of a supervised practice program: Accredited Dietetic Internship Program.
4. Receipt of a dietetic internship verification statement upon successful completion of academic and practice requirements.
5. Successfully passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination for registered dietitians.
6. Licensure (varies by state).
Immunization Requirements
- Upon acceptance, students must provide written documentation of the following:
- Two (2) negative TB skin tests within the past 12 months with the most recent being within the past three (3) months. If history of a positive skin test is present, a chest x-ray within the past 6 months will be necessary.
- If born on or after January 1, 1957: two (2) live measles vaccinations after the 1st birthday at least one month apart OR MMR vaccination since 1989 OR laboratory evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella
- Laboratory evidence of immunity to varicella (chickenpox) or immunization series
- Hepatitis B immunization (series of 3 injections), immunization series in progress or informed refusal of immunization
- Tetanus/Diphtheria booster within the past 10 years (Routine adult Td boosters and the childhood DTP/DTaP vaccines do not satisfy this requirement)
- Annual influenza vaccine
- Covid-19 Vaccine
