WVU Hospitals offers a Master’s/Dietetic Internship Program with an emphasis in medical nutrition therapy. The Dietetic Internship Program at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is a is 41-week 1199 supervised practice hour rotations, full-time comprehensive program. We have 4 options to complete our program.
- Option 1 – Students who have already obtained a graduate degree with official transcript and date degree conferred can complete the 10-month supervised practice rotations (verification statement only)
- Option 2 -We have current connections with West Virginia University (WVU) with automatic acceptance to attend their in-person master’s degree in food and nutrition sciences prior to attending our dietetic internship supervised practice rotations. (graduate degree + verification statement once both programs successfully completed)
- Option 3 – We have a connection with Marshall University with automatic acceptance to attend their online master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics while concurrently completing the internship program supervised practice rotations. (graduate degree + verification statement once both programs successfully completed)
- Option 4 -Student identified graduate option-Students who are already enrolled in a graduate program from a facility outside of WVU or Marshall University
Eight applicants can be matched to the program each year, and they obtain 1,199 hours of supervised practice experience with training in clinical, administrative, and community dietetics. Students can engage with their faculty, preceptors, and patients on a regular basis.
Upon successful completion of the graduate degree and internship supervised practice program completion requirements, students will be qualified to receive a verification statement which is part of what makes them eligible to sit for the national registration examination. For more than five years, our graduates have achieved a 90 percent pass rate for testers within one year of their first attempt on the registered dietitian exam.
The WVU Hospitals Master’s/Dietetic Internship Program is granted accreditation status through June 30, 2026, by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.
The WVU Hospitals Master’s/Dietetic Internship Program began in 1983 and is administered by the Department of Nutrition Services. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit WVU Hospitals and schedule a tour with Jill Johnston, MS, RD, LD, Dietetic Internship Director. You will be able to ask questions about the WVU Hospitals Master’s/Dietetic Internship Program and meet preceptors and current students.
Faculty
Our clinical preceptors are registered and licensed dietitians, and many are also graduates of the WVU Hospitals Master’s/Dietetic Internship Program. They have advanced training/certifications and experience in a variety of medical specialties. WVU Medicine dietitians complete nutrition-focused physical exams for patients, write orders for supplements and labs, and participate in malnutrition coding, which enables hospital reimbursement for services.
Jill Johnston, MS, RD, LD
Clinical Nutrition Manager and Dietetic Internship Director
WVU Medicine Nutrition Services
1 Medical Center Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506-8016
[email protected]
304-598-4105