Admission and Application

Admission and Application

Applicants must provide a Verification Statement showing completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and an official transcript verifying completion of the degree prior to beginning the dietetic internship program.

There is a three-step application process when applying to the NHC Dietetic Internship Program.

  1. DICAS online application
  2. Interview
  3. Invitation: accept or decline

How To Apply

Fall 2026 applications open:

  • August 5th and must be completed by October 1st for the fall application period
  • Virtual interviews will be held between October 10-25th
  • Students will be notified of acceptance on November 1st and must accept or decline the internship invitation by November 15th

Spring 2027 applications will open if the six positions are not filled in the fall application period:

  • Must be completed by February 1st for the spring application period
  • Virtual interviews will be held between February 10-25th
  • Students will be notified of acceptance on March 1st and must accept or decline the internship invitation by March 10th

Confirm this deadline on the DICAS website. Email DICASinfo@DICAS.org for more information or questions.

Step 1: Centralized Online Application: Applications to the National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) Dietetic Internship must be submitted via the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS). The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first designation submitted and $25 for each additional designation. For more information, email support@dicas.myliaison.com.

  • Transcripts. Official transcripts are required and should be sent directly from the university to DICAS.
  • Personal Statement. Our internship application requires the completion of a 1,000 words or fewer statement where the following is addressed:
    • Reasons you want to become a dietitian
    • Experiences that have helped you prepare for your career
    • Short and long-term goals
    • Strengths and areas needing improvement
    • Reason why you’re applying for the NHC DI Program
    • If you are interested in the supervised practice option only (Graduate degree completed).
  • References. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from at least one recommendation from your advisor or a professor in your major field and a work recommendation are preferred. DICAS allows you to request letters from your references who will then be prompted to upload their recommendations directly online.

Work Experience

Nutrition or food service-related work experience is recommended. Leadership roles, length of employment, number of hours worked, and volunteer experience will also be considered.

Recency of Education

If your degree was completed five or more years ago, additional coursework in nutrition or a dietetics-related area may be required, at the Program Director's discretion. Courses must be completed at a U.S. regionally accredited institution with a grade of B or better, and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants whose degree was completed five to ten years prior to application are required to complete a minimum of six semester hours of updated coursework. No additional coursework is required if your degree was completed within the past five years.

Commitment to Diversity & Equal Opportunity

The program director seeks a diversified class, and care is taken during recruitment and selection, as well as actual administration, to protect student civil rights. Strategies to promote this effort include the opportunity to participate in virtual open houses, the concealment of applicant race, ethnicity, and age from the selection committee, and institutional provision of financial support to all interns. The program and sponsoring organization both adhere to policies regarding the selection, hiring and promotion based on ability regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), age, national origin, disability, and genetic information.

Step 2: Interview.

  • Completed applications are evaluated by the NHC Dietetic Internship Program selection committee, which determines whether NHC’s application criteria have been met. Candidates considered for acceptance are contacted to schedule a virtual 30–45-minute interview with the NHC DI Program selection committee.

Step 3: Invitation

  • Following interviews, the internship selection committee will determine which students to offer spots to, who will be waitlisted, and who do not meet acceptance criteria. Notifications will be sent to students no later than March 1st. Students have until March 10th to accept or decline a spot in the program.
  • Apply For Graduate Degree*. As applicable, once accepted into NHC’s program, you may apply to MTSU, UA, or TTU. See each program’s application process, fee, and requirements below:

*If you will complete a graduate degree by August 2027, you do not need to apply to a graduate program.

Full Program Overview

Prior to applying, it’s recommended that applicants review the program information and requirements linked below for greater detail. The NHC Dietetic Internship Program Handbook

Requirements To Become a Registered Dietitian (RDN)

To become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), an individual must complete a process as outlined on the Academy website: Completed a minimum of a graduate degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Completed an ACEND®– accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to twelve months in length. Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website. Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration. Learn more about becoming a registered dietitian (RD) here.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.

Complaint Policy

Any grievances or complaints about the dietetic internship should first be presented to the director.  If the intern is dissatisfied with the results of the conference with the director, then the intern should make a request, in writing, for a conference with the grievance committee.  The Grievance Committee will be composed of the Program Director and the NHC Assistant Vice-President (AVP), Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).  If the intern is still dissatisfied, then a written request should be made for a conference with the senior vice president of patient services.  All grievances will be documented and signed by the director and the intern. The original will be filed in the intern’s folder and kept on file in the office of the director.

If the intern has a grievance or complaint related to their graduate courses, they will be encouraged to discuss it with their graduate school professor first, then their advisor. If that does not resolve the issue, they will be encouraged to discuss it with the DI Director who will help direct them to the proper contact.

If an individual other than an intern such as faculty, preceptor, dietetics practitioner and/or member of the public has a complaint, they may submit a complaint against the program. If the complaint can be addressed with the program director, that is the first course of action. If it is believed that it can’t be resolved through the program director, the complaint can be brought to the NHC AVP of FNS. The procedure to file complaints against accredited programs to ACEND is discussed in the policy and procedure manual. Please submit complaints directly to ACEND only after all other options with the program and the institution have been exhausted. All grievances will be handled in a manner that prevents retaliation.

Contact Us with Questions