1. Can I work during the internship?
The internship is a 40-plus-hour per-week experience. Students should expect to allot approximately two to four hours or more each night to be devoted to projects, homework, etc. Maintaining employment outside the internship is discouraged due to the time commitment required. Students completing the online master’s degree at Marshall University while attending the internship may not have additional time to take on a job.

2. Will I need personal transportation?
Due to the location of several rotations and attending state and local meetings, a vehicle is mandatory during the program.

3. What projects are students involved with?
WVU Medicine dietetic internship students are expected to complete:

  • Administrative project
  • Catering event
  • Clinical case study and hour-long presentation
  • Foodservice theme meal day
  • Participation in National Nutrition Month

Learn more about dietetic internship rotations and the internship rotation schedule.

4. Where do students live?
WVU Medicine is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, near the West Virginia University campus. Due to the fact that the hospital is located near the college, there are many apartments that are available. Learn more about moving to Morgantown.

5. What is the graduate registered dietetic exam first-time pass rate?
Because of the program’s high standards, graduates of the WVU Medicine Dietetic Internship Program achieved an 85 percent pass rate their first time taking the registered dietitian exam.

6. Is WVU Medicine connected to the West Virginia University internship?
Morgantown, West Virginia, has two separate internships:

  • WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is a 10-month MNT emphasis internship that has an affiliation for applicants to attend their in-person master’s degree prior to attending our internship.
  • West Virginia University offers a master’s internship community emphasis. There may be a few WVU master’s/DI students who complete their clinical rotations at WVU Medicine each year, but they are separate programs.

Please note which program you would like to apply to as you complete DICAS, D&D Digital, and fill out supplemental paperwork.

7. How are students selected?

  • 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 GPAs (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

8. How are students evaluated?

  • At the completion of each rotation by the preceptor
  • Evaluations of each of the above major projects with grades assigned to projects and homework
  • Midterm and final cumulative evaluation by the program director

9. How do graduates rate the internship?
Graduates are sent follow-up surveys one year after graduation from the internship. Learn more.