Dietitians and nutritionists provide many services to their clients, including medical nutrition therapy, food preparation instruction, education on health and proper nutrition and help planning meals and diets, says Collegeboard.com. They can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, community centers, nursing homes and medical offices. There are a variety of specializations within the job as well. Though it takes planning and hard work to be a dietitian or a nutritionist, the opportunities in this field are many, and with the growing concerns about obesity and wellness, these individuals will be in high demand.
Step 1
Earn your bachelor's degree in a nutrition-related field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says these fields include dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service management and other food-related areas. Classes typically include biology, chemistry, nutrition, microbiology and physiology. To become a Registered Dietitian, or an RD, your degree program needs to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetics Association. If your program was not accredited, you can submit your coursework to the commission to have them evaluate it, according to the American Dietetic Association.
Step 2
Submit your transcript, if you did not earn your bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field, to a director of an accredited nutrition program to evaluate what classes you still need and other requirements to become a registered dietitian, says the American Dietetics Association.
Step 3
Check with your state as to its specific licensing requirements. Requirements vary by state, and some states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed, others want certification or registration. Before obtaining the required documents, you may be able to work under a different title.
Step 4
Take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association, if you would like to become an RD. This exam is given after completing both the required coursework and a supervised internship, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tips and Warnings
- Talking to a dietitian or nutritionist already working in the field can give you a first-person perspective on the process of becoming a professional in the field, and may also give you suggestions on specializations, internships or other information that may be of help.
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