Dietetic Internship
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System Dietetic Internship began in 1929 as a clinically focused, hospital-based program within the Department of Food and Nutrition Services. In its history, the program has graduated over 1,000 dietetic interns. We aim to meet today's student where they are in their education by offering individualized experiences through an internship only option, master's degree plus internship option, and an Individualized Supervised Practice Program for those that hold a doctoral degree. More information on our enrollment option specifics can be found on our Program Pathways page.
Interns complete many of their rotations at the 865-bed VCU Medical Center, which serves as a regional referral center for the southeastern United States. As the regional teaching institution for Central Virginia, VCU Medical Center offers access to the most progressive treatments and medical technologies available. The medical staff includes internationally recognized physicians and staff alike. Dietetic interns continue to benefit from the ongoing and rapid expansion of the VCU Health System, specifically citing a wide variety of unique rotation experiences available to them.
After reviewing the remaining information on this website, we encourage you to contact our Program Director with additional questions, to set up a virtual or in-person meeting and/or to tour our facility:
Stephanie Stockslager, MS, RD
Director, Dietetic Internship
stephanie.stockslager@vcuhealth.org
Virtual Informational Sessions
We will be hosting virtual open house informational sessions for the 2025-2026 application cycle later this year. Upcoming session days and times will be posted this summer, along with registration instruction. To schedule a one-on-one meeting with our Program Director beforehand, please reach out directly with your request.
While this website provides the official and essential information regarding the program, you may also wish to view our Facebook and Instagram pages to see examples of recent activities and accomplishments of Dietetic Interns, program graduates and preceptors.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) now requires a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Individuals who established eligibility for the registration examination for dietitians on or before December 31, 2023 or those who are already registered are not required by CDR to obtain a graduate degree. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.