Careers Related To Nutrition

Those who work in a nutrition-related career are called dietitians or nutritionists. Dietitians or nutritionists may plan nutrition programs, supervise food service production or control the serving of meals in clinical settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes. To work as a dietitian or nutritionist, you need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, food service management or a related area, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is important to note that specific licensure, certification and registration requirements vary by state.

Registered Dietitian

A registered dietitian has met specific academic requirements as well as passed a credentialing test for the registered dietitian designation, or RD. Dietitians focus on calories, sanitation, meal planning, specific medical diets and government food recommendations. Academic requirements include obtaining a bachelor's degree and completing a program called the didactic program in dietetics, or DPD. This program includes various nutrition courses, advanced science courses and food management courses. Upon completion of the didactic program, you must complete a supervised dietetic internship. The internship, which must be accredited by the American Dietetic Association, consists of 1,200 hours of practical experience in a clinical setting, food service setting and community setting. Once you have finished the supervised internship, the next step is to pass the registration examination for dietitians to obtain the RD credential. Most registered dietitians work in institutional settings, such as hospitals, schools or nursing homes.

Certified Clinical Nutritionist

A certified clinical nutritionist must also meet specific academic requirements and pass credentialing exams for the designation of certified clinical nutritionist, or CCN. Nutritionists focus on the nutrient values of foods and how nutrients react biochemically in the body. Nutritionists use food to promote optimal health. A certified clinical nutritionist must hold at least a bachelor's degree in a nutrition- or food-related field. From there, 56 hours of online study through an approved clinical nutrition program are required. Once all academic requirements are met, you must complete an internship of at least 900 hours of supervised practice. Then you may sit for the CCN examination. Certified clinical nutritionists work in medical care settings, private practice and schools, among other areas.

Nutrition Consultant

A nutrition consultant completes food, nutrition and advanced science courses in an effort to obtain certification for nutrition consulting. Some of these classes include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, applied nutrition and amino acids, according to the American Association of Nutritional Consultants. Nutrition consultants do not complete supervised internships and, in most states, cannot legally call themselves nutritionists or dietitians. Nutritional consultants work in private practice, educating people on proper eating habits and how food works in the body. They are not qualified to be the supervising nutritionist in a clinical setting.