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Become a Dietitian / Nutritionist

Dietitian and nutritionist training and career information.

Dietitians are experts in nutrition science. As a dietitian, you'll specialize in menu planning, supervision of food preparation, diet therapy, nutrition research, counseling and nutrition education.

Dietitian Job Description

Your typical duties as a dietitian will vary according to your area of specialization:

  • Clinical and management dietitians work in hospitals or nursing homes and are responsible for menu planning and overseeing the preparation of food.
  • Community dietitians teach at-risk groups such as senior citizens, pregnant women and diabetics about which types of food to eat and which foods to avoid.
  • Research dietitians study nutrition for commercial food companies.
  • Consulting dietitians work in private practice and may counsel patients, test new food products and equipment, and develop new recipes and menus for restaurants and businesses.

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Dietitian Salary

According to Salary.com, the middle 50% of dietitians earn between $42,567 and $52,505 per year. The median annual salary for a dietitian is $47,362.

PayScale.com lists the average salary range for nutritionists as ranging between $27,707 and $45,338 per year.

Dietitian vs. Nutritionist

Dietitians are often referred to as "nutritionists," but registered dietitians have more education and training than nutritionists. Dietitians also have greater job responsibilities and earn higher salaries than nutritionists.

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Dietitian Work Environment

As a dietitian, you might work in any of the following settings:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Public health clinics
  • Home health agencies
  • Corporate cafeterias
  • Food manufacturers
  • Private practice

Most dietitians work a standard 40-hour week.

Dietician Degrees & Courses

Dietitians must have a bachelor's degree from an American Dietetic Association (ADA) accredited program. Some dietitians enter an ADA accredited BA/MA program, which provides classroom and on-the-job training. Coursework generally includes the following:

  • Economics
  • Statistics
  • Bacteriology
  • Physiology
  • Home Economics
  • Management Theory
  • Business Administration
  • Sociology
  • Data Processing

Dietitian Certification

Most states require licensure or certification. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) offers national certification and testing which earns dietitians the title Registered Dietitian (RD).

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Dietician

Did You Know?

  • The US weight loss industry currently rakes in over $46 billion per year.
  • It's estimated that junk food currently accounts for 25 to 30 percent of the average American's diet.

Spotlight Schools

Colorado Technical University Online

At Colorado Technical University, we understand the importance of your goals to pursue an industry-current, college degree. We offer access to skilled professors, small class size and flexible learning programs online and on campus.

Select a Campus:Online

American InterContinental University Online

AIU Online offers convenient, flexible alternatives that enable you to fit a career-focused education into your current lifestyle. This is the perfect format for students looking to pursue opportunities in a competitive job market.

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MCed Career College

At MCed, we believe that we are only as successful as our graduates. Our primary goal is to graduate highly marketable students who are prepared for jobs in high-demand medical careers.

Select a Campus:Online