Anyone who wants to become a registered dietitian will need to take the specific courses outlined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) at the undergraduate bachelor’s degree or graduate master’s degree level through an accredited program. Next, they must complete the required dietetic internship through a supervised practice program and pass the registered dietician exam.
What dietician degrees are needed for this career path? Starting January 1, 2024, the Dietetics’ Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is raising the minimum education level to become a Registered Dietitian from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s degree. Those wishing to become a dietitian after that date will be required to have a Master’s degree or Doctoral degree to be eligible for the registration exam.
There are many different career paths for dieticians, including:
- pediatric nutrition
- renal nutrition
- oncology nutrition
- public health nutrition
- nutrition education
- clinical dietitians
Some dietitians work in food service systems management in food service settings. Some promote customized nutritional programs for individuals. They all use nutrition therapy and nutrition science to promote and improve public health. Baccalaureate degree programs and master’s programs and coordinated programs that include dietetic internships must be accredited through the accreditation council. The internship promises to expose students to the many aspects of food and nutrition sciences and career possibilities that help promote healthy eating habits and improve public health through nutrition science.
When planning how to become a dietician, the question of what degree do you need to become a dietician will come up. Many complete both bachelor’s degree and graduate degree in nutrition in their path to becoming a registered dietitian. If you have an undergraduate degree in another field, there will be prerequisite classes required before entering a master’s program in nutrition.
Finish School and Pass the Exam
To become a registered dietitian the first step is to complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) from one of the accredited programs designed to meet the knowledge requirements for dietetics practice. Educational institutions have very specific educational requirements and program outcomes and may require prerequisite courses to enter their program.
Classes in a nutrition program will explore metabolism, digestion, diseases and personal food choices. Classes in food service will cover things like:
- food service management
- procurement
- quantity controls
- commercial equipment
- food science
- work simplification
- food service systems
When students learn about food science, medical nutrition therapy, and will understand the sensory, physical, chemical and nutritional properties of food.
All of these dietitian degrees will include classes in nutritional assessments, which will focus on the evaluation methods used to study dietary intake, body composition, biological factors and nutritional statuses. Learning about life span clinical nutrition will study the physiological and environmental influences on nutritional patterns, problems and age groups. Students may take electives for their dietitian degrees in topics like financial management, which will teach them about the principles used to control food costs and revenues in dietetics practices.
Following competition one of the food and nutrition programs, the next step to dietetic registration come January 1, 2024 is completing their graduate degree wich may include their dietetic internship with supervised practice from a coordinated program. Some states require licensure, so check with your individual state to see what the requirements are to gain licensure. Dietitians may need continuing education to maintain certification.
Choose a Regular Career
Registered dietitian nutritionists will assess the nutritional status and condition of incoming patients. They usually:
- screen clients for potential risks
- perform nutritional diagnoses
- clarify the root causes of problems
Dieticians will create and implement individualized nutrition intervention plans in accordance with the person’s medical condition and prescriptions. They may create therapeutic plans for specialized needs and situations.
A dietitian must continually evaluate the plans progress and effectiveness towards medical nutrition therapy goals. They may execute interventions and implements changes as needed. Dieticians may work cooperatively with food service staff in their health care facility to assure adherence to diet prescriptions and recommendations. They may even assist in the planning of menus and modifications based on approved diet manual.
Choose an Alternative Career
When someone asks what is a dietitian, the conversation can go in many ways as far as job. In general, dietitians and nutritionists are experts in using food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. These health professionals plan and conduct food service or nutritional education programs to help people live healthy lives.
Some dietitians spend all their time educating patients and their families on nutritional matters. They assess patient and care giver understanding of prescribed diet principles. These dietitians will train medical, nursing and general staff through educational workshops and presentations. They may help educate dietetic students and volunteer interns by planning learning sessions and evaluating performance.
Educational dietitians educate everyone about accrediting organizational standards and regulatory agency laws. To illustrate, a diabetes dietitian educator will provide a comprehensive training programs in accordance with established national standards. They will have to maintain the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. These health care professionals will uphold the standards of the American Diabetes Association.
What is the job outlook and salary in this career path?
Labor statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) report the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $61,650 in May 2021.This field is growing about as fast as average for all occupations and is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Where do registered dietitians work?
The largest employer of dietitians and nutritionists were hospitals (29%), followed by government (12%), outpatient care centers (10%), nursing and residential care centers (8%), and self employed (8%). Many schools have a dietitian on staff. Most dietitians and nutritionists work full time and may work evenings and weekends to meet with clients.
What are the professional organizations for registered dietitians?
These organizations support the field of nutrition and provides information needed by those who wish to become a registered dietitian.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) represents more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, and is the world’s largest organization dedicated to food and nutrition professionals. The Academy works to improve health and advance the field of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
National Association for Nutrition Professionals (NANP) is the professional organization for holistic nutrition, providing support to independent professionals, as well as to larger organizations, and provides access to the latest in nutritional information and research. NANP offers its own certification programs and maintains resources for students.
American Nutrition Association (ANA) is the professional organization that is particularly good for students, and has a database of student resources. The ANA concerns itself with all aspects of proper eating, diet, and exercise, and nutrition in childhood as well as adulthood.
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) focuses on nutrition as an important part of patient care. A large and well funded organization, ASPEN is well-reputed within the medical community.
Anyone who wants to become a dietitian should start now to prepare for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s exam and their state’s licensure exam. The two most common certifications for dietitians include the Registered Dietitian (RD), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
MPH staff, 2023
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