Additional Costs

Costs

In addition to the application fees, there are a few costs associated with the Dietetic Internship (DI) program.

• The tuition for the DI program is $10,000.00. Tuition is payable in two $5,000 installments in your SPIRE account at the beginning of the fall (September), spring (January), and/or summer (June) semesters.
• A university registration fee of $85 (per semester), is charged for enrollment in the Dietetic Practicum (NUTRITN 698A and 698B). NOTE: Do not confuse with the online MPH course (NUTRITN 698).
• These payments can be made online at https://www.spire.umass.edu once you have your UMass SPIRE ID account established.

Housing
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 $1,100/month.

Travel-related Expense
Travel expenses can vary based on an intern’s home location and distance to the rotation sites. It is realistic to assume 20 miles of travel per rotation workday, which would amount to 2560 miles during the 32-week program. Students must have access to a reliable vehicle during their time in the DI or supervised practice portion of the MSDI at UMass Amherst. Rotation sites are located throughout western Massachusetts and public transportation is not adequate, particularly for further distances such as the Berkshires. In addition, an up-to-date auto insurance policy is required of all students enrolled in supervised practice.

Clothing/Attire
Some rotations may require special clothing, such as scrubs (clinical) or nonslip shoes (food service). These can be purchased from a variety of retail or online stores and range in price depending on the item. For most rotations, students are expected to wear business-casual apparel unless otherwise specified by the preceptor. If one does not own business-casual attire and/or acceptable shoes, it is reasonable to expect to spend around $200.

Books/Supplies
There may be occasional books or materials required to purchase but this will not exceed $50. Laptops, notebooks, calculators, and other learning/educational equipment are at the expense of the student. These costs are variable and may range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. There is no requirement for a specific laptop or software program.

Insurance and Immunization Costs
Students are required to carry their own personal health insurance and are responsible for its cost. In addition, students may be expected to complete and pass a health form/screening prior to beginning some rotations.

The UMass Amherst DI program requires proof of current vaccinations and/or immunizations. Many facilities additionally require the flu vaccination during “flu season.” Students are expected to comply with the rotation site’s protocol and procedures on all matters, including vaccinations. Religious exemptions may not be possible. Students MUST inform the Program Director if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding non-compliance to the program and/or rotation site’s policies and procedures. 

Documentation of the following vaccinations/immunizations, including COVID-19, must be provided to the program director prior to starting the internship (before orientation).

• Documentation of two (2) doses of mumps vaccine given at or after twelve (12) months of age OR laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Documentation of one (1) rubella vaccine given at or after twelve (12) months of age OR laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Documentation of two (2) doses of live measles vaccine given at least one (1) month apart at or after twelve (12) months of age OR laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Documentation of one (1) dose of tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap) OR tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccine within the last ten (10) years.
• Documentation of two (2) doses varicella vaccine OR laboratory evidence of immunity OR documentation of varicella (chickenpox) disease by a provider.
• Documentation of three (3) doses of hepatitis B vaccine OR laboratory evidence of immunity.
• TB screening is required annually and includes either the results of a negative TB skin test (TST) OR a negative blood assay Mycobacterium tuberculosis test (QFT or Tspot). If the TST, QFT, or Tspot is positive, a chest X-ray which rules out active TB disease is required. For students with a history of a positive TST, QFT, or Tspot, an annual symptom review for active TB disease, with documentation of a negative chest X-ray anytime after the positive TST, QFT, or Tspot, is required.
• Documentation of two (2) doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Professional and Miscellaneous Costs
Students are expected to be members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and our local affiliate, WAMDA (Western Area Mass Dietetic Assoc.). Additional costs may include texts and other reference books of interest to the student, or attendance at a professional meeting (ANCE).

The UMass Amherst MSDI and DI programs run a CORI (criminal background check) on students prior to starting supervised practice. Some sites require additional background checks, drug testing, and/or fingerprinting that would be at the student’s expense. Students are expected to be certified in safe food handling (ServSafe for managers or comparable) at the start of their food service rotation, the cost of which is approximately $150.