The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation for Education
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited
The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship is a partnership of five WIC programs in San Diego County, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties, Northern California WIC Programs and the California Department of Public Health WIC Program.
Annual enrollment is a maximum of eight interns. Interns will remain employed at their current California WIC agency while they complete their supervised practice hours in their region
Graduation Requirements:
- Complete at least 1214 hours of supervised practice.
- Successful completion of all rotations as determined by preceptors and internship director’s evaluation of intern’s performance.
- Participate in and complete eRD2Be Study Program.
- Completion of required Core Competencies for Dietitians and Competencies for Community Emphasis outlined in the curriculum.
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). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship program at San Diego State University Research Foundation WIC are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Mission Statement
To prepare highly competent and culturally sensitive entry-level
registered dietitians to improve the health and nutrition of the community.
WIC Program Internship Application
Applicants must include the following:
- Completed internship application; include full name on all pages/papers.
- Valid and dated Verification Statement with original signature of DPD Director.
- 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 include one recommendation from their WIC Program supervisor. The WIC employer must also complete the Supplement to Internship Application.
- Official transcripts from all Universities or Colleges attended.
- One page typed Personal Statement about why this internship is the right choice and fits your career goals.
- Completed application and all required documents must be received on or before the deadline date. If applications are incomplete or received after the deadline, they will not be accepted.
- Application Deadline for WIC Employees: Must be postmarked no later than September 1st. Send completed packets via CERTIFIED MAIL to the following address:San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship
SDSU Research Foundation WIC Program
9245 Sky Park Court #230
San Diego, CA 92123
Non-WIC Applications
The San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship does not participate in the centralized internship application system (DICAS) and computer matching. All applicants are submitted directly to the internship. We will continue to use the pre-selected process for current California WIC employees. If the eight positions are not filled with WIC employees, notification will be posted on the internship website by the end of October.
Internship Hours and Scheduling
The program is 15 months and begins in February with a pre-internship orientation for 3 days. Scheduled supervised
practice begins in March and the program ends in May of the following year. The average time spent per week in
supervised practice is approximately 22-24 hours and WIC employee interns continue to work part-time at WIC. A
minimum of 1224 hours of supervised practice will be completed and approximately 150 hours of didactic work will be
scheduled. Additional time is required to complete homework, projects, reports and attend professional meetings.
Rotation sites generally schedule supervised practice during the regular work week, but may require that the intern
be available early mornings, evenings, holidays and weekends. The average hours scheduled per day are 8-9.
SUPERVISED PRACTICE
Clinical/MNT 14 weeks
Food Service Administration 20 weeks
Community 18 weeks
LOCATIONS
San Diego interns are scheduled in supervised practice sites throughout the San Diego County area. The Community
Concentration includes the intern’s WIC agency employer or another WIC program, San Diego County Health and Human
Services, outpatient clinics and other community-based food and nutrition programs.
Northern California: The internship director will work with the intern and their WIC employer agency to develop
supervised practice rotations in their local community with the same type of facilities select for San Diego
interns.
Due to the limited site for rotations, interns may be required to travel to rotation sites up to 60 miles away.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTED APPLICANTS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE INTERNSHIP
All required documentation including background check, drug screening, medical exam and immunizations must be
completed 6 weeks prior to the start of the internship in March. The TB test is required to meet hospital
requirements and a second test may be needed. The intern must provide proof of liability, health and automobile
insurance and a valid driver’s license on the first day of orientation.
Additional information can be found in the Intern Handbook.
WIC Program Internship Handbook
The handbook is provided to help selected applicants prepare for the start of the internship in March and to
successfully complete the program in May. Addition resources are provided online for interns to access. For more
information or a copy of the Intern Handbook, contact the internship at:
Email: breynosa@sdsuwic.com
California WIC employees that are interested in becoming a RDN can request a review of qualifications and assistance to complete the requirements to receive the RDN credential. Complete the San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship Information Request
For more information about WIC nutrition careers and how WIC is helping employees become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, go to WIC Career Corner