Human Nutrition & Foods and Dietetic Internship Program
Students pursuing a master's degree in the Human Nutrition specialization select either: (1) the master's degree program with a concurrent dietetic internship or (2) the master's degree program without a concurrent dietetic internship. Selection into the internship is highly competitive. Candidates are placed in a nationwide pool that is administratively controlled by the American Dietetic Association. Resident faculty make the final selection. Only six interns are chosen annually for the internship at WVU. Students successfully completing the internship are eligible to sit for the examination required to become a Registered Dietitian.
Background courses in nutrition, foods, general and organic chemistry, and the biological sciences are helpful to students selecting the Human Nutrition area for specialization. Individuals choosing this emphasis prepare for a career in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, industrial and institutional food service organizations, fitness centers, government-supported health programs, and academic institutions. Students also are prepared for continuing study in doctoral programs in Human Nutrition.
WVU Dietetic Internship
The WVU internship is a two year master’s degree internship. Mrs. Betty Forbes, M.A., R.D., L.D., is the program director for the WVU dietetic internship. Interns have a wide variety of experiences in community, food service, and clinical nutrition settings. These sites offer opportunities for clinical or community nutrition, nutrition education, and foodservice management.
Clinical Rotations
Interns complete clinical rotations at two regionally recognized hospitals, Monongalia General Hospital and Health South Hospital. The staff of experienced R.D.’s direct learning at these locations.
Foodservice Rotations
Our interns have the advantage of a varied foodservice rotation in collaboration with the university’s foodservices. This includes catering to students in the dorms and public service at the Student Union’s sit down restaurant, Hatfield’s.
Employees cater events from 5 to 500 guests, and the WVU interns participate in planning these events. One of the venues is the Mountaineer Football Stadium. They oversee the food production and transportation. WVU is on three campuses. The foodservice provides quick meals and prepared snacks at satellite sites.
Mrs. Nettie Freshour, R.D., L.D. is the dietitian in charge of foodservice rotations. She oversees the Healthy U program while also directing student wellness events.
Community Rotations
Interns provide nutrition education at a wide variety of programs within the community. These programs include:
- 4-H Camps
- WVU Extension Service’s Dining with Diabetes
- WIC Offices
- Child Nutrition Sites (School Foodservice)
- Health Insurance Wellness Sites
Additional Rotations
WVU is proud of its award winning football and basketball programs. Interns have the chance to work with strength coaches to address the nutritional needs of athletes. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in sports nutrition and exercise physiology.
Graduate Coursework
The first year of the internship consists mainly of graduate coursework at WVU. Interns complete research under the guidance of graduate nutrition faculty. Research opportunities are available in many different areas, and writing journal articles or being published in peer review journals is encouraged. Areas of interest include nutritional biochemistry, metabolism, food science, and community nutrition. Courses for the first year typically include biochemistry, physiology, statistics, nutrition, and seminar. Second year coursework typically includes a nutrition course, research, and independent studies. Clinical placements for the internship begin the summer between the first and second year.
Sample Plan of Study:
| Course Number | Course Title | Sem. Hour |
| AgBio 410 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| AgBio 512 | Nutritional Biochemistry | 3 |
| ANNU 696 | Current Issues | 1 |
| ANNU 696 | Current Issues | 1 |
| A&VS 595 | Independent Study | 3 |
| A&VS 595 | Independent Study | 3 |
| A&VS 797 | Research | 3 |
| A&VS 797 | Research | 3 |
| HN&F 493c | Maternal/Child Nutr.i | 3 |
| HNF 495 | Independent Study | 2 |
| HNF 495 | Independent Study | 2 |
| HN&F 610 | Nutrition and Fitness | 3 |
| HN&F 693 | Nutr. Chronic Disease Prev. | 3 |
| HN&F 695 | Independent Study | 1 |
| Psio 441 | Mechanisms Body Function | 4 |
| Stats 511 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| Stats 512 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
Graduate Student Dietetic Association
The purpose of the Graduate Student Dietetic Association is to provide framework for meaningful graduate student involvement and to stimulate interest in the profession of dietetics. The WVU GSDA does community nutrition outreach programs through the Healthy Together Network at Scott's Run Settlement House. WVU Dietetic Intern and MS candidate Megan Govindan recently received the 2007 General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids $10,000 grant to implement a youth health promotion program she designed called the "Helping H.A.N.D. ( Health Awareness & Nutritious Decisions) at the Shack Neighborhood House, an afterschool center for children. The GSDA uses funds from this grant to do community nutrition programs at The Shack for children grades K-5
2007/2008 Officers
- President/Founder: Megan Govindan
- Vice President: Elizabeth Parsons
- Secretary: Jess Carman
- Treasurer: Heidi Schoeppner
Recent Achievements by WVU Interns
2008 West Virginia Outstanding Dietetic Intern of the Year- Megan Govindan, class of 2008 First Place Masters Poster Section, Blue & Gold Research Competition- Kayla Bridges, class of 2009
Application Process
Applicants must complete two different application forms, one for the internship and one for the graduate school. The application requirements are listed below.
Internship Application:
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Completed ADA Application Form
- Letter of application
- Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended
- List of courses to be completed prior to graduation and letter of intent signed by a university didactic dietetics program representative
Mail applications to:
West Virginia University
c/o: Betty J Forbes, M.A., R.D., .LD.
Agricultural Sciences Building, Room G6
Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
P.O. Box 6108
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108
Graduate School Application:
- GRE Scores sent to graduate admissions
- Letters of recommendation from the internship application can be forwarded to graduate admissions upon review
- $50 application fee
Please refer to the following link to apply for graduate admissions:
http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/grad.html
Contact person for Human Nutrition & Foods Graduate Division:
Cindy Fitch, Ph.D., R.D.
e-mail: cfitch@wvu.edu
(304) 293-2631 x 4415
Contact person for WVU Dietetic Internship
Betty Forbes, M.A., R.D., L.D.
e-mail: betty.forbes@mail.wvu.edu
(304) 293-2631 x 4404
Contact for current interns:
Graduate Student Dietetic Association
e-mail: wvugsda@gmail.com