Mission Statement

The Mission of the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is to prepare highly competent and culturally sensitive registered dietitians to improve the health and nutrition of the community.

Program Description

The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is an accredited post baccalaureate supervised professional practice.  Graduates are qualified to sit for the registration exam to become a registered dietitian. The internship emphasizes community nutrition, however, excellent training is also provided in food service management and medical nutrition therapy to ensure that internship graduates are competent in all areas of dietetics.

The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is a partnership of five WIC programs in San Diego County and the California Department of Public Health WIC Programs. 

 Graduation Requirements:

• Complete at least 980 hours of supervised practice.
• Successful completion of all rotations as determined by preceptors and internship director evaluation of intern’s performance.
• Completion of required Core Competencies for Dietitians and Competencies for Community Emphasis outlined in the curriculum.

The Program Goals and Outcome Measures

Program Goal 1: The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship will prepare highly competent registered dietitians to work in California.

·          90% of interns admitted to the internship over a 5-year period will complete the internship.

·          80% of graduates will pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians on the first try over a 5-year period.

Program Goal 2: The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates to be culturally sensitive registered dietitians who will actively participate in community organizations. 

·          80% of graduates will serve culturally diverse populations in their workplace.

·          50% of non-native Spanish speaking graduates will report their Spanish language skills have improved during the internship.

·          Within 3 years, 70% of registered dietitians who graduated from the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship will actively participate in community organizations. 

Program Eligibility Requirements

These minimum requirements must be met in order to apply to the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship:

Priority consideration will be given to current California WIC employees in good standing. They are not required to apply for the internship through the ADA’s national computer matching system but apply directly to the WIC internship.  If all intern positions are not filled with WIC employees, additional interns will be selected in the November D&D Digital Computer Match.

1. Completion of a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited institution.

2. A Verification Statement, dated and signed by the program director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) documenting completion of a Commission on Accredidation for Dietetics Education (CADE) approved dietetics education program within the last 3 years.  Additional classes may be needed if you graduated more than three years ago. Please contact the Internship Director for more information.

3. Grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all college level coursework.

4. Three current recommendations from work or volunteer supervisors, professors, and dietitians. For WIC employees, one recommendation must be from the WIC Program supervisor. 

5. Desired criteria (preferred but not required)

   a.  Demonstrates cultural competence through work, volunteer or life experience with multicultural populations.
   b.  Spanish language skills. 
   c.  Demonstration of desire to stay in California and work as a      registered dietitian in community nutrition or public health programs.  
   

6. Reliable transportation is required.

Application Process

California WIC Employees:  Employees of any California WIC Program may apply directly to the internship between May 1 and July 1 each year (exempt from D&D Digital Computer Matching).  Click on the application to download the form, or contact the Internship Director for a mailed copy.

Non-WIC Candidates:   Contact the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship Director after August 15 to determine if there are any intern positions not filled by WIC employees.  If all six intern positions are not filled by WIC employees, additional candidates may be selected through Computer Matching.  For information on application and deadline for the November computer matching, go to: (www.dnddigital.com). 

Applications must include the following:

1. Completed internship application.

2. Valid and dated Verification Statement with original signature of DPD Director.

3. Three recent recommendation letters completed by current nutrition professors, dietetic work/volunteer supervisors or registered dietitians with a strong knowledge of the applicant. WIC employees must have one recommendation from their WIC Program supervisor.

4. Official transcripts from all Universities or Colleges attended.

5. One page typed Personal Statement about why this internship is the right choice and fits your career goals.

6. Completed application and all required documents must be received on or before the deadline date.  Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
   
   
   Download Application Forms:      
   ADA Dietetic Internship Application form
   Sample of Standard ADA Recommendation Letter form
   
   

   Application Deadline For WIC Employees:  Must be post marked no later than July 1. Send completed packets via CERTIFIED MAIL to the following address: 

Selection Process

Pre-selection of California WIC Employees:  Criteria include current employment in "good standing" at a California WIC agency  with WIC employment verification, completion of program eligibility requirements and a completed application with all required documents received between May 1 and July 1.  

• Applications are reviewed and qualified employees will be scheduled for an interview.  The interview is conducted by a selection panel, which will include the Dietetic Internship Director, a member of the Dietetic Internship Board of Directors, supervised practice preceptors and a community representative.  
• By mid-August, applicants will be notified of their status for a position as a San Diego WIC dietetic intern. Selected applicants will have 24 hours to contact the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship Director to accept the position as a dietetic intern for the upcoming class starting in January.

Computer Match Candidates:   If intern positions are not filled by WIC employees, additional candidates may be selected through computer matching. Contact the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship Director after August 15 to determine if positions will be available.  For information on the November D&D Digital Computer Matching procedures go to:  (www.dnddigital.com). 

Click Here for Tips on how to be "The Best" Applicant

Costs to the Interns

Tuition is due the first day of Orientation.
        Tuition (California WIC employees)*            $2500 
        Tuition (Non-WIC Interns)                           $5000   
 *Interns who have worked continually at a California WIC Program at least six months prior to the start of the internship in January and maintain part-time employment during the internship, are entitled to the WIC employee tuition rate. If less than six months WIC employment, interns pay the non-wic tuition.

Interns may also apply for the California Nutrition Corps Scholarship through the California WIC Association (www.calwic.org) if employed by WIC at least six months.

Monthly Costs

These costs are given as a guideline and intern’s actual costs may differ depending on their individual situation.

Housing: one bedroom Utilities (gas/electric/water/phone) Food Clothing/laundry Auto Insurance/Gas/Maintenance Health Insurance (if not provided by employer)

$900-$1200 $150-$200 $300 $100 $200-$350 $100-$200

Annual Costs
Background Check/Drug Test		$65-$100
Books		$100
Attendance at professional meetings (SDDA, CDA, ADA, CWA)		$20-$100
Professional Liability Insurance		$44
ADA Student Membership		$43
SDDA Membership		$16

Internship Hours and Scheduling

The program is 50 weeks and begins in January with 24 hours of orientation and ends in December. The average time spent per week in supervised practice is approximately 20 hours which allows the intern to continue to work part-time at WIC. A minimum of 980 hours of supervised practice and approximately 200 hours of classroom instruction are scheduled. Additional time is required outside of supervised practice and classes to complete homework and assignments and to attend professional meetings.  The practice sites may require that the intern be available for training in the evenings, holidays, and weekends. Hours are counted as regular time.

Supervised Practice 
Clinical/MNT                                      380 hours    19 weeks
Food Service Administration                320 hours    16 weeks  
Community Nutrition                           280 hours    14 weeks    

Locations

All locations, with the exception of  Hospital Infantil de las Californias, Tijuana Mexico, are located within the county of San Diego. The Clinical/MNT and Foodservice/Administration rotations will be offered at Scripps Memorial Hospitals and Scripps Mercy Hospital,  UCSD MedicalCenter, Sharp Hospitals, Rady Children's Hospital, Chase Care Center, Fredericka Care Center, San Diego Hospice, San Diego Unified School District and Poway Unified School District. The Community rotations include San Diego WIC Programs, San Diego County Health and Human Services, Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana Mexico, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, UCSD Student Health, Head Start, and others.

Requirements for selected applicants prior to the start of the internship

All required documentation including background investigation, drug screening, finger printing, medical exam and immunizations must be completed within 30 days of the start of the internship in January.  The intern must provide proof of liability, health and automobile insurance and a valid passport and driver’s license on the first day of orientation.

Acceptance into this program is not influenced by age, sex, language, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry.

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Information on Job Opportunities at WIC programs in San Diego

The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is a partnership of five WIC programs in San Diego County and the California Department of Public Health WIC Programs. Graduates with a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Nutrition may apply for positions at WIC as a Degreed Nutritionist.  This position will provide nutrition education in group and individual settings, develop nutrition care plans and provide counseling to pregnant women, infants and children under the age of five.  

For information on current jobs at  WIC, please contact the California WIC Program or the San Diego WIC programs.

California WIC Program
www.wicworks.ca.gov

San Diego State University Foundation WIC 
www.wic-sdsu.org
nbarcomb@projects.sdsu.edu
ncruz@projects.sdsu.edu

American Red Cross WIC 
www.sdarc.org
redcross.careers@sdarc.org

North County Health Services 
www.nchs-health.org
msammer@nchswic.org

San Ysidro Health Services WIC
www.syhc.org
jsalazar@syhc.org

Scripps Mercy WIC
www.scrippshealth.org
martin.lynn@scrippshealth.org

 In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture
policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. WIC is an equal
opportunity program.