DIETETICS
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DESCRIPTION
A registered dietitian (RD) is an expert in food and nutrition and an advocate for healthy eating. Registered dietitians are employed in a variety of settings. In addition totheareas of practice listed below, dietitians are also involved in research, public policy, business, and education.
Clinical Dietitians are health care professionals who typically work in hospitals or nursing homes. They identify, assess, and treat patients at nutrition risk.
Community Dietitians focus on disease prevention by educating individuals and groups. They’re involved in wellness programs and international health organizations.
Food Service Dietitians manage and supervise the preparation and service of food in health care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, cafeterias, and restaurants. They develop appropriate therapeutic diets for individuals with specific nutritional needs.
Consultant Dietitians are involved in private practice contract independently and offer nutrition services and educational programs to individuals, nursing homes, and health care facilities.
EDUCATION
1. Coursework: Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
2. Internship: Completed a supervised internship (1,200 hours) at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice establishment. Typically, an internship takes six to twelve months to complete.
3. National Registration Exam: Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information, refer to CDR’s website at www.cdrnet.org.
4.Continuing Education: Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain certification.
EMPLOYMENT
Salaries for dietitians who have been working for 5 years or less range from $35,000 - $45,000. Dietitians in management, business, and consulting may earn incomes > $70,000 (Source: American Dietetic Association).
Employment of dietitians is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014 because of increased emphasis on disease prevention, a growing and aging population, and public interest in nutrition. Employment in hospitals is expected to show little change because of anticipated slow growth and reduced lengths of hospital stay. Faster growth, however, is anticipated in nursing homes, residential care
facilities, and physician clinics.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These include pediatric nutrition, renal nutrition, nutrition support, diabetes education, and several others. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) is the professional organization for dietitians. More information is available at www.eatright.org.
UTAH STATE
The Dietetics emphasis area at Utah State University is part of the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences (NDFS) Department in the College of Agriculture. Students in this major prepare to become Registered Dietitians (RDs) and receive excellent instruction and experience in clinical nutrition, community nutrition,and food service management.
USU offers two programs in Dietetics -- the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) & the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Both are accredited by the American Dietetic Association. Admission into either program (CPD or DPD) requires a formal application process during Spring semester of the Sophomore year.
Entry into either Dietetics program requires a GPA > 3.0 and C grade or better in required pre-requisite coursework. Up to 12 students are accepted into the CPD program each year and complete their internship hours during their Junior and Senior years. Other applicants who meet the minimum GPA criteria for are
eligible for entry into the DPD program. Selected applicants are expected to register for dietetics courses beginning the following Fall Semester and continue, uninterrupted, for the next two years in unison with their classmates.
After admission into the CPD Program, students complete four remaining semesters of coursework and a 1,200-hour supervised internship prior to graduation.
Advantages: Students in the CPD program complete their internship hours prior to graduation and are eligible to take the National Registration Exam to become an RD upon completion of a BS degree.
Things to Consider: Students in the CPD program must be enrolled as full-time students and cannot take a semester off. They must also maintain a B average (3.0 GPA) and may not have an outside job that requires them to work more than 10 hours a week. Student fees are also higher ($2050).
Entry into the DPD Program also requires 4 remaining semesters of coursework and meets all of the requirements for application into a supervised internship experience following graduation. Upon completion of a post-BS Internship, DPD graduates are eligible to take the National Registration Exam.
Advantages: The USU-DPD Program is specifically affiliated with the USU Distance Internship and DPD graduates are eligible to apply. Internship credits may also be applied to the Master of Dietetics (MDA) program. Additional business coursework is also built into the DPD curriculum.
Things to Consider: Internships are typically 7 - 12 months in length and are not paid. Average cost is $6000. Admission into an internship program is not guaranteed and usually requires a GRE test score.