Benefits and Cost
Benefits and Costs
Stipend
A stipend of $1,350.00 (total for the year) during the supervised practice portion of the program is provided by NHC. The first check will be mailed in September 2024 and the final check in May 2025. Monthly checks will be mailed on the first Friday of the month.
Insurance
Interns are REQUIRED to obtain their own health insurance and professional liability insurance while completing the NHC DI program. Interns provide proof prior to beginning the internship. The cost of the liability insurance premium will be reimbursed once the intern starts the program. Interns are responsible for all medical expenses incurred during the internship, including having a physical exam, all required vaccinations, and a drug screen prior to starting the program.
The Covid-19 vaccination policy is discussed in Step Two of the application process further down in this document. A background check will be conducted and paid for by NHC. Interns are required to have automobile insurance and assume own liability while traveling to and from internship practice experiences and classes.
MTSU Tuition – MPS Graduate Degree
Graduate school tuition and fees (textbooks not included) are listed below. In-state students pay in-state tuition and fees, and out-of-state students pay the e-rate in the two summer semesters when they are not on their supervised practice rotations and in-state tuition during the spring and fall semesters while they are in middle TN for their supervised practice rotations. For applicants who have completed a graduate degree, there is no tuition for the nine-month supervised practice portion of the DI. Fee schedules will be updated for 2024-25 so please check the MTSU website for updated fees. Fees for the 2023-24 sessions were approximately:
Summer 2023 (9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)
$5409 (for in-state interns) $7758 (e-rate for out of state interns)
Fall 2023 (6 credit hours to be completed in middle TN)
$3606 (in-state and out-of-state interns)
Spring 2024 (6 credit hrs. to be completed in middle TN)
$3606 (in-state and out-of-state interns)
Summer 2024 (3 credit hours for the professional project), does not have to be completed in middle TN). Tuition for the 6 DI credits is free for NHC dietetic interns
$1803 (for in-state interns) $2586 (e-rate for out of state interns)
MPS total tuition and fees for in-state would be approx. $14,424
MPS total tuition and fees for out-of-state would be approx. $17,556
Meals
During assigned training only, lunch will be provided on most rotations. Interns will be responsible for meals on class day and when attending meetings.
FNCE or other National Meeting
Attendance is required at a national meeting either in person or virtually. The dates and location will be discussed upon acceptance into the program. If FNCE is approved to be attended in person, registration and hotel (if needed) are paid by NHC. Interns are responsible for paying for their travel (gas or airfare) and meals while at the meeting.
Holidays/Vacations
Interns are permitted a two-week vacation during late December and early January. The holidays for the year will be Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The vacation dates for 2024-2025 will be during late December and early January.
Housing
Interns will be responsible for all housing costs during all training, except the weeks of FNCE and Memphis. Monthly rental for one or two-bedroom apartments in middle Tennessee are approximately $1000 to $2000 per month, depending on location and roommate availability.
Supplies
Some supplies for special projects are reimbursed. Supplies purchased must have a receipt and be turned in on the proper form to the internship director. This does not include routine daily supplies, e.g., paper, pencils and pens, which are the responsibility of the intern. Some textbooks are provided for the dietetic intern but are to be returned upon program completion.
Interns will be responsible for paying for scrubs and lab coats in the amount of approximately $100.00. NHC will provide the interns with NHC embroidered polo shirts which can be worn on most rotations if desired. All copying should be done at NHC’s corporate office if possible. The cost of the textbooks and supplies for the graduate courses will be the intern’s responsibility.
Transportation
Interns must have access to a vehicle at all times. All maintenance and mileage expenditures will be the responsibility of the intern. Facilities are in the Murfreesboro, Nashville and surrounding middle TN area except for the Memphis pediatric rotation. A gas allowance is given for some rotations. Monthly transportation costs can range from $200-$500 depending on where you live and gasoline prices.
Financial Aid
Interns may apply for NHC dietetic internship tuition reimbursement scholarships of $1,000 each to assist in the payment of education expenses during the dietetic internship. Tuition reimbursement scholarships are awarded to applicants demonstrating professional potential in long-term care and require a work obligation of one year after graduation.
Interns who choose to work for NHC will also receive a $2,000 recruitment bonus at graduation. Tuition reimbursement scholarships and recruitment bonus are available to graduates accepting employment with NHC up to one year after graduation.
MTSU Graduate School Financial Aid: Once you have matched to NHC and applied to the MTSU graduate program, you may complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA). A FAFSA may be submitted before your MTSU admission decision. Information on how to apply for FAFSA or financial aid may be found at the MTSU graduate school financial aid link at www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/graduate.php
Policy on Granting Credit for Prior Learning Experience
Graduates of ACEND-accredited didactic programs who have held post-graduate (unless otherwise approved) paid positions in the field of dietetics with responsibilities that fulfilled certain ACEND competencies may be granted credit for prior learning. In addition, applicants with a completed graduate degree may also receive credit for prior learning and all or a portion of the required graduate coursework may be replaced. Please include your graduate transcript on DICAS and make sure the DI director knows you are applying for the nine-month supervised practice portion of the program only. This can be included in the personal statement. It will be determined by the program director if the experience will replace a portion of a rotation or course or if an alternate rotation will be provided to provide time to focus on a special interest of the intern.
The process must be initiated prior to beginning the internship to accommodate changes in scheduling. The process for establishing credit for prior learning is as follows: 1. Intern will contact director after internship appointment between April and June to request an assessment of prior learning. If the request to assess adequacy of prior learning is verbally approved, then the intern will follow up with a written request describing in detail the prior learning experience. 2. Intern will provide contact information to verify prior learning experiences. 3. Program director will determine if prior credit replaces a portion of a rotation or course or if an alternate rotation will be provided for the intern. 4. Intern will provide official transcripts of previously completed graduate degree, if applicable.