Education and Training

In order to earn a nutrition degree, you will need to complete coursework in areas such as nutrition, foods, chemistry, institution management, biology, biochemistry, physiology, and microbiology. Other courses you may take in order to earn your nutrition degree include sociology, computer science, mathematics, psychology, sociology, business, and economics. In 31 states, you will need to acquire licensure in order to work as a nutritionist, while 14 require that you obtain certification and one requires registration.

Employment Opportunities

After completing your nutrition degree, there are several different career paths you may pursue. These include:

• Clinical dietician
• Community dietician
• Management dietician
• Consultant dietician

A clinical dietician is responsible for providing nutritional services to patients in nursing care facilities and hospitals. As such, they provide patients with assistants in developing and implementing specialized nutrition programs. They also evaluate the results of the program and make adjustments as needed.

Community dieticians provide counseling to both groups and individuals in the area of proper nutritional practices. This counseling is intended to help promote the health of these individuals as well as to prevent disease. Community dieticians commonly work for home health agencies, health clinics, and health maintenance organizations.

Management dieticians are responsible for overseeing the large-scale meal planning of cafeterias, health care facilities, schools, and prisons. They also hire and train other dieticians and budget for the purchasing food and supplies.

A consultant dietician is employed by health care facilities, though some own their own private practices. In both roles, their hob is perform nutrition screenings and offer advice to their clients for improving their health.

Job Outlook and Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for individuals with a nutrition degree are expected to grow faster than the average occupation. This is largely because of the growing concern and emphasis regarding proper health habits. The Bureau reports that the median annual earnings for nutritionists and dieticians in May 2004 was $43,630.

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