Additional Costs and Requirements

Professional Memberships and Activities

Students are required to be active members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (current student membership = $58) and the Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association (no charge) (WAMDA). WAMDA membership automatically qualifies students as members of the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND). Students are expected to participate in WAMDA activities throughout the program year.

Housing/Transportation/Meals/Clothing

Students are responsible for their own living arrangements and expenses. They must also have access to individual transportation since many of the rotation sites are not easily accessible by public transportation. A variety of housing options are available in the western Massachusetts area, with prices dependent on arrangement type and location. The university’s Off Campus Housing Services website maintains a list of apartments and houses available for rent in the Amherst area. The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the Amherst area is $1,840/month, while the average cost of renting a similar apartment in Westfield (approx. 25 miles from Amherst) is $1100/month.

Travel expenses can vary based on a student’s home location and distance to the rotation sites. It’s realistic to assume 10-20 miles of travel per rotation workday, which would amount to 2,240 - 4,480 miles during the program. You must have access to a reliable vehicle and/or transportation to participate in the UMass Amherst DI program.

Many rotations, particularly food service, provide free lunches to the students. Students should be prepared to purchase or provide their own meals and snacks throughout the program. Some clinical and food service rotation sites require students to wear a lab coat and/or scrubs. These can be purchased from a variety of retail or online stores and cost approximately $25-$40. It is expected that students wear business casual apparel to their respective rotation sites unless otherwise specified by the preceptor. Clothing costs can range greatly. If one does not currently own business casual attire and acceptable shoes, it is reasonable to expect to spend around $200.

Miscellaneous Costs

Students need to have access to a laptop with internet access throughout their time in the program. 

Students must obtain their ServSafe for managers certification prior to beginning their food service rotation. ServSafe course are available in-person and online and costs vary depending on your preference. In the past, students have used HRFoodSafe to take the course, but training for managers is offered through many vendors.

Students are NOT required to carry their own Professional Liability Insurance for their work associated with the internship as they are covered by a policy held by the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Student Status in Practice Facilities

It is agreed that while in practice facilities, students have the status of “trainee,” and will not routinely replace regular staff members employed at the facility. Students are not paid by the facility while performing their supervised experiences. All students are expected to abide by each facility's rules and regulations, including dress codes and personal appearance policies, and to uphold patient confidentiality and patient/client care protocols as established by that facility. A UMass Amherst DI name badge will be provided and should be worn at each rotation and group activity.

Employment and Financial Aid

The UMass Amherst DI program recognizes the need for most students to work during the internship program. The program strives to maintain flexibility with rotation schedules; however, precentors typically work business “daytime” hours, therefore students should be available during those hours. Daily hours and/or days/week may be adjusted to accommodate work, although preference should be given to the internship whenever possible. Students should contact the program director if they have concerns with work/rotation hours.

Students enrolled in the UMass Amherst DI program are not eligible for financial aid through the University’s Financial Aid Office. Several scholarships and financial assistance are available through the EatRight.org to qualified dietetic students. Visit their website for more information: https://www.eatrightpro.org/student-member-benefit-highlights.

Travel Liability

The Nutrition Department and the University of Massachusetts Amherst assume no responsibility for dietetic students traveling between their assigned areas. All students are required to furnish their own transportation to and from rotation sites and are liable for their own travel. Students must maintain an active automobile insurance policy during the internship. A copy of their automobile insurance policy and their vehicle registration are required in CastleBranch on or before the start of the first rotation.

Vacation, Holiday, and Absence Policies

All students of the UMass Amherst Dietetic Internship will have at least two weeks of vacations each year. The dates for the fall cohort fall between December 21st and January 5th, and the spring cohort will be individually arranged according to each student’s vacation plans and their rotation schedules.

Although highly unlikely, all students may be required to work on legal holidays at the discretion of the preceptor. Students are responsible for notifying their preceptor of any absence or excessive lateness (more than 10 minutes of expected arrival time). If a student knows of an upcoming absence, they should notify the preceptor in advance and arrange to reschedule the day’s activities. Students are expected to keep to their assigned schedules, except for emergencies or illness. Students who are absent due to illness or personal reasons do not need to make up the day unless instructed by the preceptor. Sufficient hours are built into the program that can account for up to three absences. It is advisable for students to obtain the cell number of their preceptors (if acceptable to the preceptor), for immediate notifications. Students who miss long periods of time (i.e., greater than two weeks) will need to extend their time at that rotation. If a student is not able to extend their rotation, they should plan to spend that time in another rotation to ensure the missed competencies are met. Rescheduling such missed work will be done at the discretion of the preceptors and the program director.

Rotation hour logs must be maintained by students and should be signed by the preceptor at the end of the rotation to document supervised practice hours. Some seminar sessions may count toward the total supervised hours (e.g., coding and billing); therefore, if missed, must be made up.

Health Insurance and Immunization Policies

Students are required to provide a copy of the cover page of the current health insurance policy and coverage must be insured for the entire internship year. Students moving to Massachusetts who do not have health insurance can contact the Health Connector portal to inquire about eligibility for a plan. Students may be expected to complete a health form for some rotations. 

The UMass Amherst DI program requires proof of all immunizations, including the full series of the Covid vaccination and booster, as well as the flu vaccination, if required by the rotation facility. Cost of obtaining immunizations will be at the student’s expense, and all documents should be uploaded to CastleBranch. Most facilities, particularly hospitals and those dealing with vulnerable populations, will not allow unvaccinated students to participate; thus, the internship requires that all students must be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Find the full list of vaccination requirements below:

• 2 MMR vaccines (1st dose must be on or after 12 months of age) or positive titer
• 2 Varicella immunizations (1st dose must be on or after 12 months of age) or positive titer
• 2 Heplisav-B or 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations AND 1 titer demonstrating immunity or declination
• Proof of two step PPD (tuberculosis screen) with plant date & date read OR an IGRA-test (T-spot or QuantiFERON Gold test). If history of a positive TB, report of negative chest x-ray done within past 12 months
• TDAP (within 10 years)
• Flu vaccination or declination (typically October 1 – March 31)
• Current Covid vaccination

Illness or Injury During a Rotation

Students are responsible for their own health and safety while in practice facilities/rotation sites. The program director will provide the student with the contact information of their preceptors before beginning the rotation. Students are responsible for contacting their preceptors and should do so at least two weeks before the rotation begins. The onboarding procedure may be extensive at some rotation sites (i.e., clinical settings); thus, it is advisable for the student to contact the preceptor at least one month in advance in those settings. Students will be responsible for completing all health screens or immunizations required by the facility and upload all documentation to CastleBranch prior to the start date. Some vaccinations and testing (e.g., TB) may require a booster and/or a 2nd reading. Students should be aware of these instances and plan accordingly.

Students are required to carry health insurance and should upload a copy of their health insurance card or policy in CastleBranch prior to the start of the program. Some rotation sites require a 10-panel drug test, which includes marijuana. This may be scheduled and results uploaded through CastleBranch.