Program Description

Currently three internship tracks are available at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System: the Combined VA Dietetic Internship - Master of Public Health (MPH) track, the Combined VA Dietetic Internship - Master of Science in Nutritional Science track, and the Non-Degree Internship track.  The general information for all tracks is similar.

The Combined MPH track at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is a full-time, 21 month program.  The Combined MS track is a full-time, 24 month program.  The Non-Degree program is a part-time (32 hours per week) 12 month program.  All 3 tracks are designed to prepare the intern for general professional practice in dietetics in health care institutions, agencies, or community programs.

The MPH program at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) provides additional experience for practice in public health nutrition. In addition there is the option to apply for the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nutrition Leadership Program, a mentoring program designed to encourage and support leadership in the field of maternal and child nutrition.  As funding is available, this program offers a stipend to help with tuition costs for the fourth quarter of study at UCLA.

The MS program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) provides additional experience to specialize in nutrition therapy and increase competence in food and nutrition subject matter in preparation for college teaching, research, graduate study beyond the master's degree and administrative positions in public and private agencies.

Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship program, individuals will be qualified for active membership in The American Dietetic Association and will be eligible to write the examination for Registered Dietitians from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  Passage of the examination is required for certification as a Registered Dietitian from The Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association.  Those students successfully completing the Combined Program will also earn a MPH degree from the University of California Los Angeles in the Community Health Sciences Department or a MS degree from California State University Long Beach Family and Consumer Sciences Department depending on the completed track.

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted accreditation status by The Commission on Accreditation  for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago IL, 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600.