WIC Track
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of the required academic Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) course work with a verification statement or a verification of intent to complete form
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum of 50% of graduate degree coursework must be completed by application due date. A graduate degree (from an accredited college or university) must be conferred within 4 months after graduating from the dietetic internship.
- At least 6 months of full-time employment at an Arizona WIC agency prior to application due date
- Currently employed at an Arizona Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) local agency**
**How to Find a Job With Arizona WIC
Each WIC agency posts positions and hires as an independent entity. Below is a list of all 21 Arizona WIC local agencies and websites to search for job openings and/or contact information.
Please refer to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Dietetic Internship (MCDPHDI) Arizona Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Track Application Checklist (PDF). This checklist is provided to ensure all required components of the application are included.
Application Process
- Applications for the Class of 2025 (start date of September 2024) are due by January 15, 2024.
- As soon as the application requirements have been met, please email supporting documents to the Dietetic Internship Supervisor at Diana.Kinsfather@maricopa.gov.
- Unofficial transcripts for DPD college or university
- Unofficial transcripts for graduate degree showing a minimum of 50% graduate degree coursework is completed
- Name and email address of WIC agency management/leadership team representative responsible for completing the recommendation
- Signed Verification of Completion of Dietetics Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a signed Declaration of Intent to Complete
- Resume
- Arizona WIC Program Declaration of Intent
- Personal statement
Personal Statement
The personal statement should tell your personal story and address the following:
- The reason for entering dietetics
- Preparatory career experiences
- Short and long term goals
- Personal strengths and areas for improvement
- Description of project completed through your own initiative and with minimal supervision
- Note if you speak, read or write a language other than English and your level of fluency
- Graduate plan or status. Please mention where you are in the process for completing graduate degree. A minimum of 50% of graduate degree coursework must be completed by the application due date.
WIC Agency Leadership Recommendation Requirement
- A member of your WIC agency leadership team will be asked to provide a recommendation as part of the application process.
- As part of application submission, provide the name and email address of the WIC agency leadership team representative responsible for completing your recommendation. The Dietetic Internship Supervisor will send a link to the representative to complete the recommendation form.
- It is highly advised that you discuss your interest in the internship with representatives from your agency. Obtaining agency support is crucial for successful completion of the dietetic internship as well as fulfilling post-internship contract years.
Declaration of Intent
Please complete and sign the Arizona WIC Program Declaration of Intent.
Resume
Please include a current resume highlighting education, work, and volunteer experience.
| Important Dates (subject to change) | Task | |
| January 15, 2024 11:59 pm (Arizona time) | Application due date | |
| January 16 - 23 | Application review | |
| January 24 - February 2 | Interviews | |
| February 9 | Notification day | |
| Mid-July | Review of graduate coursework progress. A minimum of 75% of graduate degree coursework must be completed by start of the dietetic internship. If unable to meet graduate coursework deadlines, the dietetic internship start date may be postponed until the next year's internship start date. | |
| Mid-September |
|
Candidate application email will be reviewed by a selection committee. The selection committee will interview all applicants.
Ranking of importance for acceptance:
- Work & volunteer experience shown on resume (emphasis on public health and community nutrition)
- Recommendation from WIC agency leadership team representative
- Personal statement
- Interview
- Graduate coursework completion plan
- Proficiency in a second language
- GPA
The ability to speak a language in addition to English is beneficial to working within the local community. It is not a program requirement in the selection process. Applicants claiming proficiency in a second language may be asked to participate in that language over the course of the interview.
Our Arizona Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Dietetic Internship track is comprised of an annual class of up to 6 interns, and consists of 27 weeks of supervised practice with an additional 11 weeks of work at the originating AZ WIC agency. The AZ WIC Track begins in early September and will be completed by the end of May. Interns participating in this track will be exposed to a wide variety of nutrition services from metropolitan and rural areas of Arizona. Opportunities are provided to interact with individuals and groups from multi-ethnic backgrounds representing all ages and levels of education. Clinical, food and nutrition management, community and specialty experiences offered will challenge interns to integrate knowledge gained from dedicated study with opportunities for practice and application.
Rotation sites for the Arizona WIC track Dietetic Internship will be determined based on their availability and geographic location of the candidates selected. Travel to areas around the state will be required for some rotations.
The Arizona Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Dietetic Internship program begins in early September and is completed by the end of May. Holidays may be honored depending on the rotation site and originating WIC agency. These may include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Internship rotations will be determined based on the geographic location of the intern. However, some travel is necessary. Costs for lodging will be the intern's responsibility.
Internship rotations vary from year to year and are listed in no specific order. Refer to Practice Sites for comprehensive list of affiliate and rotation sites.
| Practice Area | Program Time |
| Community & Public Health | Approximately 33% to 44% of program time |
| Clinical | Approximately 25% to 37% of program time |
| Food & Nutrition Management | Approximately 18% to 20% of program time |
| Specialty | Approximately 10% to 15% of program time |
| Didactic Practice | Approximately 5% to 7% of program time |
| WIC Work | Typically 8 to 10 weeks through the program |
Tuition for WIC interns is 100% covered by a grant supported though Arizona Department of Health Services. WIC interns receive pay and benefits while they are completing their internship.
Total program costs will vary according to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Food, housing, and transportation expenses are variable and the responsibility of the intern. Interns must provide their own health and professional liability insurance in order to participate in the program. Arizona law does require drivers to carry automobile insurance and Arizona residents to have annual emission inspection completed on their vehicle.
Program costs that are applicable if the applicant is accepted to the internship; proof required prior to start of internship:
| Expenses | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
Automobile Registration & Insurance | Variable | |
Housing / Rent (1-Bedroom Apartment) | $750-1200 / Month (variable) | |
Study Material for RDN Exam | Cost covered by program | |
Office and Miscellaneous Supplies | Cost covered by program | |
Textbooks, Journals, Subscriptions | Cost covered by program | |
Student or NDTR Professional Liability Insurance | $35-$75 | |
Academy of Nutrition Dietetics (AND) Student Membership | Cost covered by program | |
ServSafe Certification | Variable | |
CPR Certification | $45 | |
Fingerprint Clearance Card | $69 | |
Health Insurance | Variable | |
Hepatitis B Vaccination Series | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
MMR Vaccination Series | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
Varicella Vaccination Series or Positive Immunity Titer | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| TB (PPD) Skin Test or Chest X-Ray | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| Tetanus Shot | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| Flu Shot | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| Covid-19 Vaccination | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| Urine Drug Screen (within 30 Days of specified rotations) | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
| Statement of Good Health | Variable; check with health insurance plan | |
- Scholarship information is available through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics on the Eat Right Pro.
- Loan deferment letter available upon intern request.
Notes:
- Scholarship information is available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Eat Right Pro.
- Loan deferment letter available upon intern request.
If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Additional documentation required at the start of the Dietetic Internship:
- Automobile registration & insurance
- Driver license
- Signed verification statement of the Didactic Program in Dietetics
- Official transcripts showing completion of baccalaureate degree
- Unofficial transcripts showing a minimum of 75% of graduate degree coursework completed
- Student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
- Student or NDTR Professional Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate
- ServSafe certification
- CPR certification
- Completed criminal background check and a fingerprint clearance card
- Health insurance
- Statement of good health to participate in the program from a medical provider
- Urine drug screen (within 30 days prior to specified rotations)
- TB (PPD) skin test or chest x-ray
- MMR vaccination series
- Hepatitis B vaccination series
- Varicella vaccination series or positive varicella immunity titer
- Tetanus toxoid (within the past ten years)
- Seasonal flu shot (at the beginning of flu season)
- Covid-19 vaccination