How Do I Become a Dietitian?
There are two ways that you can become a dietitian: Complete a relevant degree course Complete a postgraduate course Most degree courses are four years full time, and there are no distance learning courses available in dietetics. All courses include practical training in hospitals and in the community. What qualifications do I need to do a dietetics degree course? Each university will have its own entry requirements, but in general you will be expected to have two or three A levels (or the Scottish/Irish equivalent) in science subjects, preferably Chemistry and at least one other science subject. Mathematics will be accepted as it is considered a science. As well as this, you will be expected to have GCSE Mathematics and English, and a good command of written and spoken English. Access/Foundation science courses or BTEC science courses may also be acceptable. It is important to remember that each application will be judged on its own merit. Where can I take a dietetics degree course? U
Dietitians, also called nutritionists, work in private practices, at hospitals, for schools or nursing homes, and for outpatient clinics. The main goal of a dietitian is to implement healthy eating plans for patients with disorders or diseases or as a preventative measure for healthy individuals. To become a dietitian, one must complete a bachelor’s degree program in food and nutrition, dietetics, food service systems, or a similar subject. The program should be approved by the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Most states require a license to become a dietitian. However, requirements vary by state, so it is key to determine which state one wishes to practice in before planning an academic program. In addition to the requirements made by individual states, some may wish to pursue certification by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association. The credential awarded is Registered Dietitian. Though this is
To become a dietitian, it is necessary to have graduated from a course accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), the professional association for dietitians. There are currently 11 universities around Australia which offer courses for dietitians, the majority of which are 4 year undergraduate degrees. These are listed below (from the DAA website www.daa.asn.au.) Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga NSW Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) Four years _________________________________________ Curtin University of Technology Western Australia Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics One year post Bachelor of Science (Nutrition).
Maybe check out classes in the nutrition field…my daughter is a registered dietitian and she had four years of college and one year internship. Keep in mind that the internship is not a paid job; you do the work, the hours, etc as a regular work week, but you do not get any pay. But the field is wide open from working in a hospital setting to working for a large food company. Good luck!
