What do dietitians major in

The nutrition major is a great launching pad for students who are hoping to get into other professional or health science programs, or for graduate studies. Graduates from the nutrition major are well qualified to work in health science related industries, including sales, labs or research. Enter your keywords. Section menu.

Performing all these tasks requires good organizational skills. Having good problem-solving abilities helps the professional develop a plan that will work to meet the needs of each client.

Since every client is different, a dietitian must be able to spot unique differences and come u with solutions that are appropriate for the individual. According to BLS, the median annual wage is the wage that half the workers in this occupation dietitians or nutritionists earned more than and half earned less than. Various factors impact earnings potential for this occupation.

Industry type and geographic location both play a role in the pay of a nutritionist or dietitian. BLS reports four top-paying industries for dietitians and nutritionists. These industries are outpatient care centers, government, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities. The highest-paying industry for this profession is outpatient care centers.

The third highest-paying industry is hospitals. Geographic location also impacts earnings potential. As states report varying earnings, so do cities. Since most nutritionists and dietitians work full-time, full-time wages are the norm. However, some individuals within this profession may work weekends or evenings to better accommodate clients who are unavailable during traditional work hours.

It is not uncommon for nutritionists and dietitians working in hospitals to earn overtime pay. The majority of individuals working in this profession at physician offices and specialized treatment centers do work traditional hours and rarely see overtime pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS , employment for dietitians and nutritionists is anticipated to grow eight percent over the next eight years. The growth is much faster than the average for all other occupations.

Anticipated growth should come from an increased interest in the role of food and nutrition in disease prevention and promoting health, longevity, and wellness. In medical settings, an increased awareness and promotion of nutritional education will become the norm of preventative healthcare practice. The Center for Disease Control reports that more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese. Diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease, are also on the rise.

Dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to address these problems and conditions. An increased emphasis will be placed on preventing and treating illness through diet and nutrition. Do you have a passion for health, food and helping people? A career in dietetics could be the right career choice for you. Becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist requires a science-heavy course load and many hours of patient care.

There are opportunities to conduct research, work with children and even join the military. Look for programs that are certified with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, as those are the programs recognized as appropriate for this field.

Undergraduate programs that lend themselves to a career as a nutritionist may include the following:. During their training, students may also have to complete an internship, either during their undergraduate program or shortly after graduation. Licensure and certification requirements differ across the country. Many states require nutritionists to obtain and update special certifications, while others require completion of exams to prove knowledge and skills. In order to earn one of these credentials, you need to:.

Although advanced degrees are normally not required to work as a nutritionist, they can prepare students to work as educators and researchers in the nutrition field. Doctoral programs in nutrition normally require students to take graduate-level courses in nutrition, chemistry and biology, perform fieldwork, and complete a dissertation. The curriculum may include the following coursework:. All students have their own goals and desires, based on the direction they want their career to go.

Whether they pursue an associate degree to get started more quickly, or devote the time to a doctoral degree to advance to the top of the field, students must feel confident that their educational needs are being met and that their schooling has been worth the time and financial investment. In order to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist CNS , candidates must obtain an advanced degree, complete 1, hours of fieldwork, and pass an exam.

The Associate of Science degree in nutrition gives students a basic overview of the discipline, as well as hands-on training that prepares them to work in the field.

Although students cannot become licensed nutritionists by earning this degree alone, they can obtain employment as dietetic technicians, working under the supervision of a registered nutritionist or dietitian.

In addition, this degree lays the foundation for students who eventually decide to continue their education with an eye toward becoming licensed. Students in this program complete a well-rounded curriculum, including general studies courses in topics such as mathematics, writing and public speaking. Core nutrition courses in this program include weight management theory, herbal sciences, community nutrition, sports nutrition, sustainable food systems and cultural foods.

These degrees typically take two years to complete, and depending on the program, students may be able to receive on-the-job training through an internship. Following are examples of courses offered at this level:. Provides an overview of the nutrition field and the principles of nutrition science. Focuses on the relationship between nutrients and body functions, particularly for those who are suffering from health and medical conditions.

Familiarizes students with the relationship between diet and energy, as well as physical performance. Bachelor of Science degrees in nutrition, which commonly take four years to complete, are required for those who want to become registered dietitians. In addition to taking general education courses, students will study nutrition at a more in-depth level than they would in an associate degree program.

Students in this program gain a solid foundation of nutrition theory, along with a hands-on look at how it works in practice when dealing with patients. This program also provides an understanding of how to educate a community about the importance of good eating habits, as well as the ever-changing relationship between nutrition and societal factors such as culture and socioeconomic status.

Emphasizes how to conduct nutrition counseling for individual patients and groups. After graduating from a baccalaureate program, some students may want to broaden their knowledge and advance their skills by enrolling in a Master of Science nutrition degree program, which generally takes about two years of full-time study to complete. In many cases, there is also a heavy emphasis on understanding nutrition research.

Examines different kinds of communicable diseases around the world and how to prevent them. Investigates the behaviors and problems associated with disordered eating in adults and children. Nutritionist degree programs at the doctoral level are more focused on research, training students to contribute to the field by conceiving and conducting original nutrition studies. They also emphasize teaching, particularly at the postsecondary level.

A doctoral degree can be ideal for professionals who want to become experts and advance in their careers, taking on managerial roles in either the public or private sector. After five to seven years of intensive study, depending on the program, students can expect to gain the following skills by the time they complete a doctorate in nutrition:. Students learn an array of qualitative and quantitative research methods that are necessary to conduct studies on a variety of clinical nutrition topics.

By the time they graduate, they will be able to design studies and carry out evidence-based research, as well as present their findings to the scientific community. In addition, these programs give students an understanding of research ethics, an issue that is especially important when dealing with human subjects. In order to provide care to patients, nutritionists must be able to make dietary assessments.