Dietitian Schools - Academic Degree Options

Dietitian Schools - Academic Degree Options

To determine a nutritional plan for a group of people, students need to learn how to correctly determine food options. Numerous academic degree options are available through dietitian schools for students that long to become professionals. Colleges offer students educational programs from an associate's degree level to a PhD level.

Most students strive to become registered dietitians. Schooling is focused on preparing students to become food and nutrition experts. Planning menus, providing nutritional counseling, and conducting research help professional dietitians promote good eating habits. Some work may also be done with clients to suggest a dietary change for those that have health problems like high blood pressure. Having a bachelor's degree or higher in dietetics or nutrition is required to become a registered dietitian. The differences for each educational option include the amount of time the academic degree takes and how in depth coursework goes into the field. The higher students go in education the more responsibility they can have when entering a career. Degree coursework in all educational levels may include:

Basic Nutrition

Chemistry

Microbiology

Community Nutrition

Menu Development

Vitamins and Minerals

Nutritional Biochemistry

Molecular Nutrition

Metabolism

Students that want to work in this field but can't complete a four-year bachelor's degree program can enter an associate's degree program. The work done in a two-year academic degree program trains students to be dietetic technicians. Coursework options teach students to understand how nutrition affects the health of a group of people. Coursework may include agriculture training to help students learn how food is grown and what nutrients it can provide. Students then learn how to apply that knowledge to help a registered dietitian create a nutritional plan.

The coursework and experience gained inside a bachelor's degree centers on teaching students about biology, chemistry, and physiology and how they relate to the body's nutritional practices. From this students can create and implement a nutritional plan based on the people within their population group. For example, the plan implemented in a high school would be different than one implemented for a sports team. Becoming a registered dietitian is not required but students can pursue credentials through the American Dietetic Association's Commission. Completing a degree program, finishing an internship of at least 900 hours, and passing an exam rewards credentials. A minimum of 75 hours of further education is required every five years to stay registered.

Working through graduate degrees prepares students to gain advanced clinical, research and public advocacy careers. Master's degree coursework includes nutrition training and the study of different metabolic diseases. Students that desire to continue education and pursue an academic career in teaching at the college level should continue education and gain a PhD. A degree program explores all clinical aspects of nutrition and looks at molecular nutrition. Careers can include:

Dietetic Technician

Dietitian

Food Inspector

Associate Professor

Students that want to work with people and help them be healthy can train for a career through accredited dietitian schools. Find the right program that is approved by the American Dietetic Association Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), for full accreditation and begin learning how to plan and implement nutritional programs.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

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