How to Become a Dietitian

Becoming a Dietitian

When learning how to become a dietician you first need to understand who they are and exactly what they do. They work with wide range of different people, from one extreme to another. It could be a weight loss goal one wants to achieve, weight gain, or struggles with nutrition. There is always a need for a dietician.

Dietitian Duties

A dietician can put together and plan a menu for hospitals, care centers; schools and more recently they have been hired with personal homes for people with a chronic disease. In order to become a dietician you have to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, and often times jobs will require you earn a masters while employed. For someone looking for a management position in dietary, and master’s degree would almost be a pre-requisite.

Dietitian College

When going to college to become a dietician you will need to go to a four year school and earn your bachelors degree that is accredited and recognized by the A.D.A (American Dietetic Association). There are roughly 5 or 6 different types of BA programs that qualify you for a career as a dietician.

• Bachelors of Science in dietetics
• Bachelors of Science in Foods and Nutrition
• BA of science in Food science
• BA of science in Food management and BA of science in food service management

There are several schools across the United States that offer BA and MA programs that are accepted but the American Dietetic Association. And often times most BA graduates choose a career in dietary and continue their education online for their MA.

How to Become a Dietitian

When first getting into this career, the first step is going to require research and education. A person who is hired to help another individual with their health, and what they eat, needs to take their job very seriously, and in turn, know what they are talking about, stay up to date on research, vitamins, supplements and so on. You need to familiarize yourself with the human body, the digestive system, what foods cause specific allergic reaction and how to work around those obstacles. You are going to be responsible for someone’s diet and meal plan; it is important you know the ins and outs of the kitchen and know your foods. Concentrate on foods in college. Go for your BA in science and nutrition first.

Take Extra Courses

While you are still in high school and know this is the career path you’ve chosen you need to take courses that are going to increase your abilities and education college. Growth is the key. Take extra courses in biology, anatomy, food, nutrition, health, the human body, and cooking.

Dietitian Extras

Once you have graduated with your BA in science you are going to need to focus on getting your Dietitian’s certificate. The requirements for this are going to vary from state to state. 35 states require that you become licensed. Twelve will require a certification and there is only one state requiring you to register as a dietitian within the state board. To excel in your career as a dietician get certified, licensed and registered.