Nutritionists help people manage their health through diet and exercise. They can work in hospitals, public health departments, schools, food corporations and more. They may also consult with doctors and other health professionals.
They might specialize in eating disorders, weight loss, gastrointestinal (GI) nutrition or functional and integrative nutrition. Their job duties involve determining a patient’s nutritional needs and delivering a customized diet to meet those goals. They use their understanding of nutrition, physiology and disease to develop a meal plan that addresses their patient’s medical needs and their lifestyle preferences.
Their work is often covered by insurance companies, such as Medicare and Medicaid. A dietitian might earn a salary of around $63,090open_in_new per year.
Getting the right training and education is essential to becoming a registered dietitian. There https://brescia.uwo.ca/undergraduate/nutrition_dietetics.php are several ways to get the training you need, including a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.
There are many accredited online bachelor’s and master’s programs in nutrition. Some are designed for working adults who don’t have the time to commute to campus.
Some graduate-level nutrition programs are geared towards people who want to pursue a career in research, public policy or advocacy. This type of program can help you hone your skills and learn how to counsel different populations, including those with chronic diseases.
In addition to the academic courses you will take, many nutrition programs require that you complete internships. These internships give you real-world experience in the field and can prepare you for a career as a nutritionist.
The Pace University Coordinated Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It is also registered by the New York State Department of Education.
Students who earn a BS/MS in Nutrition and Dietetics are expected to pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) examination, the national credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionists. A dietetics internship is required to be eligible for the CDR registration exam.
Applicants to the BS/MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program must submit their credentials through CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) by December 31, 2023. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a DPD Verification Statement and be eligible to apply for an accredited Dietetic Internship.
Graduates of this program are expected to practice in the public and private sectors as professional dietitians who deliver nutritional and disease prevention services and educate community groups, families, schools, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other health care organizations. They are also expected to practice as clinical nutrition specialists in long-term care facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, regional academic hospital systems, and eating disorder centers.
There are also opportunities in the field of sports nutrition and nutrition education, where you can provide guidance to athletes. These jobs typically pay less than a doctor’s office, but they can be rewarding and offer flexibility.
You can also become a Certified Nutrition Specialist by earning voluntary certifications in the fields of sports and wellness. These credentials are awarded by the American Council on Exercise, the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board and others.