How To Become a Dietitian
If you’re passionate about health and interested in guiding others toward better eating habits, becoming a registered dietitian may be a fulfilling career choice.
Becoming a dietitian involves earning a bachelor's or master’s degree in nutrition or dietetics.1 Employers may also prefer to hire candidates who have passed the national certification exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and have a graduate degree.1 With a passion for health and lifelong learning, you can help individuals achieve optimal well-being and promote public health.
In This Article:
- What Is a Dietitian?
- What Do Dietitians Do?
- How to Become a Dietitian: Education Requirements
- Best Degrees for a Dietitian
- What Skills Does a Dietitian Need?
- Median Annual Wage
- Projected Job Growth
- Where Do Dietitians Work?
- Advancement Opportunities for Dietitians
What Is a Dietitian?
Dietitians are registered professionals who have completed a specific educational path, including a degree in dietetics, supervised practice and pass a national exam. They can provide medical nutrition therapy and work in clinical settings.
Nutritional science is an area of study that focuses on how dietary choices affect health. A dietitian applies their knowledge of diet and nutrition to help individuals make healthier dietary choices and recover from illness. These professionals may also examine how healthy nutrition choices can reduce the risk of disease and optimize wellness.
In the U.S., poor nutritional choices contribute to about 678,000 deaths each year.2 A diet that is too high in calories, sugar and saturated fats and lacks sufficient healthy foods raises the risk of some of the most common causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity.2 As a dietitian, you could work toward helping others make positive changes that may help improve their health. Learn how to become a dietitian here.
What Do Dietitians Do?
Dietitians are charged with promoting the health and wellness of their clients by applying their knowledge of nutritional science and food. Dietitians typically work one-on-one with their clients, providing assessments and developing personalized nutritional plans. However, they may also design and lead group programs intended to raise awareness of the importance of healthy nutrition. What do dietitians do on a day-to-day basis? Their tasks can vary but generally include the following:3
Assessments
Dietitians first assess their clients’ nutrition-related medical conditions and typical dietary choices.
Diagnostics
Health coaches may recommend their clients undergo bloodwork to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Follow-Up
Dietitians meet with their clients periodically to assess their progress and provide follow-up guidance.
Group Programs
Some dietitians develop and lead group programs. They talk to groups about healthy eating habits or managing certain health conditions through diet.
Education
Wellness coaches are educators who help their clients understand the “why” behind healthy eating habits.
Meal and Nutrition Plans
These professionals develop personalized nutrition and meal plans for their clients, considering food preferences, budget and other factors.
Collaboration
These health professionals often need to collaborate with their clients’ healthcare providers to provide holistic management of health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Food Program Planning
You may work in food service settings, like hospitals and schools, where they plan food programs that meet certain diet restrictions.
In general, dietitians provide client-centered services designed to promote health by reducing the risk of disease or by managing existing health conditions.
How To Become a Dietitian: Education Requirements
If you’re curious about how to become a dietitian, it’s important to understand that requirements vary by state.1 Before beginning your postsecondary education, research the specific licensing or certification requirements in the state where you plan to work, as many states mandate that dietitians be licensed. This can help ensure you meet the necessary criteria and can practice legally in your chosen location.
High School Diploma
If you know you want to become a dietitian, building a strong science background can be beneficial. Focus on excelling in biology and chemistry and consider adding science electives such as anatomy and physiology, if available. Additionally, since dietitians often interact with clients and help them make healthier lifestyle choices, taking courses in communications and psychology can also be advantageous.
College Degree
Aspiring dietitians typically need at least a master's degree.1 This depends on state licensure requirements, which vary. If your state has licensure requirements for dietitians, be sure the degree program(s) you choose will allow you to meet them. In some cases, an internship or other supervised training is offered as part of the degree program. Look for a bachelor's or master's degree that focuses specifically on nutritional science, dietetics or food and nutrition.1
Internships
Many dietitians receive practical experience through supervised training, such as internships, either during or after college. Additionally, some states require this type of supervised experience as part of their licensure criteria.1 An internship or similar training can offer work opportunities that can be invaluable as you begin your career path.
Entry-Level Roles
If you choose to obtain certification as an RDN, you might qualify to apply for dietitian jobs without first obtaining work experience beyond your supervised training. Job requirements vary from one employer to the next. If you find that you need some more work experience first, you might consider looking for a job assisting and educating patients under the supervision of a licensed, practicing dietitian.4
Professional Certifications
Your state may require you to obtain a dietitian license.1 The needed credential to be a dietitian is the RDN credential from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration. To obtain the RDN credential, you must earn a minimum of a master’s degree and complete professional experiences.1 At GCU, these professional experiences are integrated into the master’s program. Another common credential is the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) designation.1
A person’s career path toward becoming a dietitian can often depend on state licensing requirements. Even if your state lacks licensing requirements for dietitians, you may find that obtaining a certification from a professional group can help enhance your future career.1
Best Degrees for a Dietitian
The best degree programs in nutritional science typically encompass core science courses, including anatomy and physiology, chemistry and microbiology. Alongside these foundational subjects, students delve into specialized nutrition topics such as health psychology, lifespan nutrition, food science and nutrition research.
To align with your career goals, it’s crucial to choose a program that also meets your state’s specific requirements, if any.1 Ensuring that the program fulfills these regulatory standards can help you achieve your professional objectives in the field of nutrition.
Degree programs in dietitian science typically cover topics in:
- Effects of nutrition
- Health-related behaviors
- Nutritional requirements
- Food components
- Nutrition theory
- Meal planning
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Dietitians
Aspiring dietitians need a firm foundation in natural sciences, including chemistry, microbiology and anatomy, as well as extensive knowledge of nutrition principles and applications. Furthermore, dietitians can benefit from soft skills like problem-solving, analytical reasoning and communication skills.4
Dietitians need to be able to apply their scientific knowledge in a way that seems approachable and feasible for their clients. In other words, they need to help their clients see that healthy eating really can improve their health. In order to experience a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates these technical and soft skills, you may want to consider the following degree programs:
Bachelor’s Programs
Master’s Programs
What Skills Does a Dietitian Need?
People who are coping with a serious or chronic medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, may feel overwhelmed and have difficulty adjusting to their new life circumstances. It’s the job of a dietitian to help these individuals feel empowered to take charge of their health by making healthier lifestyle choices. To be effective in their work, a dietitian can benefit from having the following hard and soft skills:1,4
- Nutrition science
- Health goal-setting
- Scientific research
- Analytical reasoning
- Clear communication skills, including speaking and active listening
- Organization
- Interpersonal skills and compassion
- Problem-solving skills
Median Annual Wage
The median annual wage for a dietitian can depend on many factors, including their employer, years of experience, geographic location and whether they have licensure or certification. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dietitians and nutritionists had a median annual wage of $69,680 as of May 2023.5
Projected Job Growth
The BLS expects favorable job growth for dietitians and nutritionists in the coming years. From 2023 to 2033, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for dietitians and nutritionists to be 7%, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of about 6,000 new jobs in the field.6
Where Do Dietitians Work?
You can find dietitians working in various settings, including the following:4,7
Healthcare Facilities
Dietitians often work alongside medical providers in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
Private Practice
A entrepreneurial dietitian may decide to establish their own private practice.
Private Homes
Not all clients are able to travel to appointments. Some dietitians travel to their homebound clients to deliver services.
Nursing Homes
Some dietitians may decide to focus their practice on providing nutritional guidance to elderly individuals in nursing homes.
Universities
A dietitian may decide to pursue work at a university, where they might pursue nutritional research projects or work with students.
Advancement Opportunities for Dietitians
Some dietitians may seek professional certifications to specialize in areas like sports nutrition, health coaching or holistic nutrition.4 With sufficient work experience and additional credentials, dietitians may also pursue career progression by directing nutritional services, teaching nutrition science or conducting clinical nutrition research.8
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
2 Center for Science in the Public Interest. (n.d.). Why Good Nutrition is Important. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). What Dietitians and Nutritionists Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
4 Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, March 10). How To Become a Nutritionist or Registered Dietician: Careers in Nutrition. Indeed. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Dietitians and Nutritionists as of May 2023, retrieved on Aug. 9, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as dietitians and nutritionists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates' salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate's experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists, retrieved on Sept. 12, 2024.
7 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Dietitians and Nutritionists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 23, 2024.
8 Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. (n.d.). Dietitian. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
Approved and verified accurate by the associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences on Dec. 12, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
