by Laura Dunkley

Created on: February 10, 2010

The term dietitian by law is a person who has met specified education criteria in order to qualify for credentialing by the American Dietetics Association (eatright.org), whereas anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. The terms are often used interchangeably however there is a movement afoot that we as professionals stop calling ourselves nutritionists. Dietitians do not plan menus or supervise food prep. This is a popular misconception and a disservice to the many underpaid dietitians working in hospitals, nursing homes, the military, etc. A nutritionist does not have advanced training or qualifications unless they are a physician or a chiropractor who have decided to call themselves a nutritionists. 

To become a dietitian, one must apply to an accredited didactic or coordinated undergraduate program (program accreditation is done through the American Dietetics Association) at an accredited college or university.  Most undergraduate programs offer a Bachelor of Science where the major course load includes one year of Anatomy and Physiology; one year of General and Organic Chemistry; Biochemistry and Microbiology.  Future dietitians also study economics, statistics, labor management, psychology as well as course work in food service management, food science and nutrition.  The nutrition courses range from an introduction to nutrition to medical nutrition therapy.  As a part of the undergraduate course work many of the specialized courses require that students spend a certain amount of hours in practical work.  The training can be as intense as that of a nurse. 

On graduation, we are qualified to work under the supervision of a registered dietitian, the states and JCOAH allow graduates to do so without a problem but the minimum course work requirements must be met. The majority of graduates aim to become registered dietitians and work as clinical dietitians and to do this, an application and a match to an internship program is necessary.  After successfully completing the internship, apply to take the Registration exam administered by  the Commission on Dietetic Registration, an arm of the American Dietetics Association. Once the RD candidate has successfully passed the exam, in order to maintain registration, we must take and submit 75 continuing education credits every five years.  Graduates of dietetic programs can work in a variety of areas other than clinical dietetics to community and public

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