Nutrition & Dietetics
Help maintain and improve the health of individuals and groups. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and other nutrition professionals promote healthy eating habits and prevent and treat nutrition-related diseases.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Dietetics and Food Administration, Option in Nutrition and Dietetics with two different concentrations
- Concentration #1: Dietetics: Also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), this option fulfills the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) academic requirements to prepare students to become an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist (known as RD or RDN).
- Requirements
- Completion of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
- Passing a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). A Master's degree will be required to sit for the RDN exam effective 2024.
- Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.
- Concentration #2: Nutritional Science: This concentration prepares students for careers in research, public health, and industry, or serves as a useful science degree while preparing to enter other medical professions (pre-med, pre-pharmacy, physician assistant, etc).
Graduate
Master’s of Science Program in Nutritional Science: The program offers four emphases: Nutritional Science, Latino Health and Nutrition, Food Science, and Dietetic Internship. MS alumni are making an impact in a variety of practice settings, including research and development for food and supplement companies, academia, private practice, and leadership in clinical and community settings.
- Clinical Dietitian
- Food Technologist
- Public Health Nutritionist
- Research Dietitian
- Wellness Educator
- Food Service Director
- Nutrition Counseling
- Hospitals, clinics or other health care facilities
- Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs
- Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries
- Community and public health settings
- Private practice
Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Dietitians/Nutritionists are expected to grow much faster than average: 20% in the next 10 years (CA), 15% national.
Median annual wage
- CA: $74,060
- US: $60,370
Service orientation
Dietitians and nutritionists are passionate about nutrition and want to help people achieve health-related goals.
Compassion
Dietitians and nutritionists must be empathetic when helping clients change their eating habits.
Active listening
Dietitians and nutritionists must listen carefully to understand the health concerns and goals of their clients.
Analytical skills
Dietitians and nutritionists should stay up-to-date with the latest research on nutrition. They should be able to read and apply scientific studies to their work.
Problem-solving skills
Dietitians should be able to determine the best food choices for clients to improve their overall health or manage a specific health concern.
Communication skills
Dietitians and nutritionists should be able to clearly explain meal plans and nutritional information.
