A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is the “gold” standard in the Dietetics profession (the designations are interchangeable). An RD or RDN needs at least a bachelor’s degree, supervised practice experience, a passing grade in the national RD registration exam, and licensing in most states in order to practice.
While there are good job opportunities available at every level along the education pathway (dietetic technicians, for example), businesses that hire dieticians respect and value RD or RDN degrees and routinely include a requirement or preference for these credentials in job descriptions and postings.
There are good job opportunities at every level along the education pathway.
RDs and RDNs are becoming more visible to the public as they move from clinical settings to take on prominent RDN roles in a range of businesses like spas, health clubs, specialty retail food stores catering to diet-specific clients, major restaurant chains, and professional sports organizations.
Is Earning an RDN Degree Hard?
It’s a rigorous course of study and practice, but well worth the effort, according to Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, CSO, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a pivotal professional resources for dietitians.
Hultin, a Seattle-based RDN, enjoys the variety and “the dynamics of all the things I can do in my job. One minute I’m on-boarding a new private client, then I’m working with my intern, next I’m teaching a class, then I’m on a plane to the Middle East to teach classes on nutrition, and writing an article for a magazine on the plane.”
If you are passionate about dietetics and health, earn an RDN degree.
“Don’t be afraid of the work it takes to get there,” Hultin adds. “It’s so worth it. If you’re passionate about dietetics and improving people’s health, go all the way to become an RDN. Don’t stop short and settle for a lesser degree or certification.”
The job market for RDs and RDNs is expanding rapidly, she adds. “There are actually a lot of really amazing career opportunities and you can absolutely make good money as an RDN.” But you need to start by earning your bachelor’s degree.
Dietitian Degree Types: What Will I Study?
Note the New Minimum Registered Dietitian Schooling Requirement: Most states currently require a bachelor’s degree in order to legally practice with the title of Dietitian or Registered Dietitian. However, by 2024, the minimum educational requirement for an RD or RDN will be a master’s degree.
Associate’s Degree
Time to Complete: About 2 years
An associate’s degree can set you on the path towards starting an entry-level career in jobs such as a dietetic technician, dietetic service supervisor or nutrition assistant.
Some community colleges offer associate’s degrees in dietetics and related fields. These degrees are typically designed for those who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree but want to complete some coursework at a more affordable community college. Some students choose this path to clear many of the general requirements required at four-year colleges.
In addition to entry-level courses in dietetics and nutrition, students may also take college level courses in math, English, history, communication and the humanities to prepare for transfer to a four-year college.
Bachelor’s Degree
Time to Complete: 4 to 5 years
A bachelor’s degree is typically currently the minimum level of education one needs to become an RD or RDN. There are two options for earning a bachelor’s degree, as noted below—one featuring course work only (Didactic) and one featuring course work plus a 1,200-hour supervised practice component (Coordinated).
Each college or university chooses which bachelor’s program it will offer; some offer both pathway options. Students who plan on applying for a prestigious and competitive Dietetic Internship after graduation (which may require relocation) will choose a college with a course-only didactic program.
Those students who want more certainty and control over the timing and location of the supervised practice component tend to select a coordinated program.
Didactic Bachelor’s Program in Dietetics
This bachelor’s degree
program does not include a supervised practice component while you’re earning
your degree. After graduating, students apply for a Dietetic Internship Program to complete the 1,200-hour supervised
practice requirement. Once that is completed, they are eligible to take the
national registration examination and apply for a state license.
Coordinated Bachelor’s Program in Dietetics
This bachelor’s degree
program combines course work with a 1,200-hour supervised practice component.
When students graduate, they are eligible to take the national registration
examination and apply for a state license.
RDN Bachelor’s Core Curriculum
With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll
take a number of classes in science including:
Chemistry,
biology, physiology, as well as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and
microbiology
You’ll also take nutritional science courses focusing on:
The fundamentals and science of nutrition, including topics like life cycle nutrition, public health nutrition, and nutritional counseling
A number of your classes will
focus on dietetics (the science of food) and include:
Diet
selection, medical nutrition therapy, and food service systems management
After graduating, students who were in a Didactic Dietetic Program take a Dietetic Internship Program to complete the supervised practice requirement. Students graduating from a Coordinated Program have already met the supervised practice requirement and are eligible to sit for the national registration exam and prepare to apply for a state license.
Master’s Degree
Time to Complete: 2 to 3 years after earning a bachelor’s degree
There are two options for earning a master’s degree, as noted below—one featuring course work only (Didactic) and one featuring course work plus a 1,200-hour supervised practice component (Coordinated). Each college or university chooses which master’s program it will offer; some offer both pathway options.
Students who plan on applying for a prestigious and competitive Dietetic Internship after graduation (which may require relocation) will choose a college with a course-only didactic program. Those students who want more certainty and control over the timing and location of the supervised practice component tend to select a coordinated program.
Didactic Master’s Programs in Dietetics
This master’s degree program does
not include a supervised practice component. After graduating, students apply
for a Dietetic Internship Program to complete the 1,200-hour supervised
practice requirement. Once that is completed, they are eligible to take the
national registration examination and apply for a state license.
Coordinated Master’s Programs in Dietetics
This master’s degree program
combines course work with a 1,200-hour supervised practice component. When
students graduate, they are eligible to take the national registration
examination and apply for a state license.
RDN Master’s Core Curriculum
These programs accept both students with undergraduate degrees in dietetics and nutrition as well as students from other majors. As a master’s student, you may:
Gain an advanced understanding of human nutrition that will be applicable in both research and community settings
Conduct research-focused studies, learn more about using food as a way to prevent and treat disease
Take management classes that can help you take on higher-level roles or run your own private practice
Depending on the program you choose, you may have the opportunity to focus on specific areas such as public health, medical nutrition, women’s health, or food system management.
Upon graduating, students who were in a Didactic Dietetic Program take a Dietetic Internship Program to complete the supervised practice requirement. Those finishing a Coordinated Program have already met the supervised practice requirement and can sit for the national registration exam.
According to Hultin, regardless of which you choose, by pursuing a master’s degree in dietetics, you’ll go well beyond the basics and likely improve your earning potential. Past Academy surveys show that RDs and RDNs with graduate degrees tend to earn more and hold more senior management positions.
Note: Some states require a master’s degree in order to legally practice with the title of Dietitian or Registered Dietitian.
Doctoral Degree
Time to Complete: 4 to 8 years, after earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree
Core Curriculum
A doctoral degree is designed for those who wish to take on leadership roles in academia and research, industry, or the government. These programs dive deeper into the relationship between nutrition, dietetics, and health in a wide range of populations and settings, and prepare students to apply their knowledge in:
research, teaching,
implementation of public health programs and policies,
government agencies,
and industry.
Programs for doctoral students are generally planned with an advisor and tailored to the student’s specific interests. Many doctoral students pursue the RD or RDN credential as well.
If they have not yet completed the 1,200-hour supervised practice requirement as part of the undergraduate or master’s degree, they may meet that requirement through a doctorate Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway.
Supervised Practice Programs
Time to Complete: 9–12 months
Completion of a 1,200-hour supervised practice program is required to be eligible to take the national registration examination for the RD or RDN credential. Many states also require supervised practice to qualify for licensing. Students are supervised by and work with professionals in the organizations and departments to which they are assigned.
Rotations for your supervised work might include assignments in such areas as:
Clinical care nutrition and community care nutrition
Food services management, research, and business planning
Weight management, surgery, diabetes, pediatrics, acute care, wellness, and health promotion
Temporary staffing in a department of nutrition or food services
What to Look For in a School?
Programs for dietitians can be found at a wide range of institutions including public, private, and for-profit schools, from community colleges with associate degrees to four-year colleges, and universities with undergraduate and graduate degrees. There are many things you may want to check out:
what the campus looks and feels like,
school admission requirements,
faculty experience,
specific degree programs for aspiring dietitians,
graduation rates,
financial aid, and more.
This is a major investment in time and money, so you’ll want to take the time to visit the campus, meet with a program advisor, and make sure it’s a good fit. Beyond the programs and curriculum, there are several key items you should look for.
Is the School Accredited?
You’ll want to make sure that the schools you are considering have been accredited by one of the approved regional accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Accredited means the school offers quality education and meets certain standards. Credits earned at the school are more likely to be transferable to other schools and be accepted to meet requirements for higher-level degrees. In addition, in order to apply for federal financial aid, your school must be accredited.
Depending on where you live, your school should be accredited by one of the following regional agencies:
Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming
California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands
Make Sure the RD or RDN Program is Accredited, Too.
You will also need to make sure that the schools you are considering offers programs that meet the standards required for education that prepares students for careers as RDNs, as determined by ACEND.
Undergraduate and graduate dietitian programs, as well as the supervised practice programs required for registration and licensing of RDNs must be approved by ACEND. Without this, you will not be eligible to take the national registration examination, which you need to pass in order to obtain a license in most states.
Important Questions to Ask of Dietitian Schools
Meeting with a program
advisor from a school you’re interested in is a critical step in evaluating a
school and its programs. You’ll want to review requirements for admission to
the school, as well as the programs for RDNs. You’ll need to meet both sets of
requirements for admission and maintain a specified grade point average once in
attendance.
“An advisor will be especially helpful if you are switching majors or returning to school for a career change”, according to Hultin, who was herself a career-changer. “The advisor will evaluate what course work you may need to take in advance of admission to fulfill the requirements for admission and assist you in figuring out where to take the classes.” This is important if you need to take several science courses before enrolling, which is common for career changers, and was the case for Hultin.
What are the School’s Admission Requirements?
School admission will generally require a high school diploma or GED, a good score on the SAT or ACT and a GPA of 3.0–3.5. All schools post admission requirements on their websites. Once in attendance, you’ll be expected to maintain at least a 3.0 in core classes for the RDN programs and a minimum of 2.0 in other classes.
Grade expectations will be higher for entry into the most competitive schools and programs. At the graduate level, you’ll need a 3.0 GPA and a solid score on the GRE (above the 50th percentile) for admission.
What is the School’s RD Exam Passing Rate?
To gauge how successful the school’s program is, you’ll want to ask the advisor how students in the program perform on the national RD registration exam. Schools and programs approved by ACEND express this as the percentage of students who pass the exam within one year of graduating.
For schools with solid programs, the rate tends to be 70% or higher; with many reporting 75%–85% and a few very competitive schools reporting 100%. Most schools list this information in the program summaries on their websites.
Does the School Offer Online Programs?
Many students, especially those making a career change, take some portion of their coursework online. “An advisor will be invaluable in helping you navigate the process,” Hultin says.
ACEND-accredited online classes are available, and especially popular for continuing education. In addition, ACEND has also reviewed and accredited several bachelor’s and master’s online degree programs. With few exceptions—such as classes that require lab work and supervised practice—it is possible to complete substantially all of the course work for an online dietitian degree at both the bachelor’s and master’s level.
How Much Can It Cost to Earn a Dietitian Degree?
The potential cost of your dietitian education varies widely depending on the school, its location, and the level of degree you are seeking. According to recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average total costs for tuition, fees, and room and board are:
just over $10,000 a year for an associate’s degree,
roughly $20,000 for a bachelor’s at a public university,
over $41,000 a year for a bachelor’s at a private institution,
average total cost of a master’s degree is reported to be $25,000 a year,
while a research-focused doctoral degree can cost around $32,000.
Students at all levels can find grants and scholarships to help offset the costs of school, as well as potentially get tuition remission for work-study, teaching, or research.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation provides a number of scholarships, fellowships, grants, and awards each year to dietetics program students and practitioners. Established in 1966, it is the only charitable organization devoted exclusively to promoting dietetics. Many colleges also provide scholarships for study and stipends for research assistance to students studying dietetics.
Written and reported by: Natural Healers Team
With professional insight from: Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, CSO Founder, ChampagneNutrition®
