Dietetic Internship

Track 2: Dietetic Internship

The Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship provides a variety of supervised practice experiences for applicants who have completed 50% of an online graduate degree at the time of enrollment, or have completed their graduate degree. The planned learning experiences meet the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) competencies and requirements. These experiences also provide a strong foundation in dietetic knowledge and practice.

Applicants who submit their applications by November 3, 2025, and who are selected for the program, will start their rotations January 2026. The program is 12 months long, with rotations scheduled from January to December.

For the 2026 internship year, rotations will be available in the Fresno/Central Valley area. Interns can work part-time for WIC while completing their rotations. (WIC employees who live outside of the Central Valley are encouraged to apply to the San Diego State University (SDSU) WIC Dietetic Internship, which may be able to offer rotations in other parts of the state.)

Admission Requirements

Current employment with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) WIC Program. Applicants also need to have worked for WIC for at least six consecutive months prior to the date of acceptance into the program.
Applicants who are have completed a master’s degree at the time of application need to provide an official transcript indicating completion of the degree. The master's degree concentration can be in any area.
Applicants who are enrolled in an online master’s degree at the time of application need to provide an official transcript, and plan of study, demonstrating they will have completed 50% of the online master’s program by the start of the internship program.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Verification Statement indicating completion of an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) within the last 5 years. If more than 5 years have passed since the student completed the DPD program, the student may be able to take additional classes to qualify for internship application. Please contact the Internship Director for more information.
A minimum GPA of 3.0.
If native language is not English and applicant did not graduate from a college or university in the United States, a minimum TOEFL score of either 560 (paper-based test), 241 (computer-based test), or 83 (internet-based test) is required.
Three letters of recommendation: 1 from a work supervisor (from a paid work position), 1 from a college/university instructor, and 1 from a person of applicant's choice. WIC employee applicants must have letter of recommendation from their WIC Supervisor and be an employee in good standing.
Demonstration of desire to stay and work in the Central Valley of California is a desired criteria, but not required.
Applicants who have worked as paid employees for the CDPH WIC Program for 6 consecutive months, prior to acceptance date into the program, will be eligible for the pre-selection process.
Reliable transportation is required.
We are unable to accept international students at this time.

Technology Requirements

Interns are required to have their own laptop, reliable internet access, webcam and microphone. Interns are also required to have their own personal mobile hotspot at their rotation sites.

Scholarships and Tuition

California WIC employees are eligible to apply for a California Nutrition Corps (CNC) Scholarship through the California WIC Association at www.calwic.org. Additional scholarships are available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org and the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.dietitian.org.

There is no tuition for the Dietetic Internship. Interns enrolled in a graduate school while completing rotations must remit tuition to the graduate school, per the school’s requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of a minimum of 1040 supervised practice hours.
Successful completion of all supervised practice rotations, competencies, didactic assignments as determined by preceptors and the Internship Director
Demonstrated completion of a master’s degree in any area as indicated on an official transcript.

If the intern is unable to complete the program in 12 months due to illness or other authorized reasons, the internship may be extended to a maximum of 150% (18 months/1.5 years) of time, per ACEND requirements.

Interns who meet the graduation requirements above, and upon validation by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, are eligible to take the registration exam for dietitians. Interns are required to participate in a free Registration Exam Study Program after completing all supervised practice hours. The study program is a structured, online program provided by the California WIC Career Development Coordinator. Guided instruction and support, as well as access to valuable study materials, are given to interns to help prepare them for the exam.

RDNs are required to be licensed/certified in some states. This requirement is not applicable in California, because California does not offer licensure to RDNs. State licensure requirements can be found on the CDR website.

Requirements to Become an RDN

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires 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 a graduate degree prior to entering the dietetic internship, or who complete a graduate degree by the end of the dietetic internship; and supervised practice hours provided by the Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship, will be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.