Admission and Application

Application Process

Candidates who meet the application criteria (which consider GPA, work experience, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation), will be considered for an interview as part of the selection process. The final selection of interns will be based on the following areas: professionalism, self-direction, interpersonal skills, organization, and leadership.

The NHC Dietetic Internship program participates in the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS). See DICAS for specific application details. Email DICASinfo@DICAS.org for more information or questions.

Application Due Dates

Fall application period:

DICAS opens August 5^th
Online applications are due October 1^st
If selected, students will be notified to participate in a virtual interview with the selection committee
Students will be notified of their status on or before November 1^st. If invited, candidate must accept or decline the internship invitation by November 15^th

If spots remain open, NHC participates in the Spring period:

Applications due February 1^st
Students will be notified of their status on or before March 1^s^t. If invited, candidate must accept or decline the internship invitation by March 10^th

How To Apply

The National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) Dietetic Internship will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Step 1: DICAS 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.

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 as a registered dietitian and how this internship will prepare you
- Strengths and areas needing improvement
- Why you are interested in applying for the NHC DI Program
- State which internship program track you’re interested in: DI/DPE or MS/DI
- Include any significant professional, academic, or personal accomplishments that impacted your decision to become a registered dietitian that aren’t shared in other areas of your online application.

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from at least an academic advisor and/or a professor in your major field, and a work supervisor/boss recommendations. 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 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.

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 interview with the NHC DI Program selection committee.

Step 3: Notification

Students will be notified of their status (accepted, waitlisted, or rejected) on or before November 1^st(fall period) or March 1^st (spring period).
If offered, students have until November 15^th or March 10th respectively, to accept or decline a spot in the program.
MS/DI PROGRAM TRACK — 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)

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DI program at NHC are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an 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. 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.