There's a range of career paths that can be taken. Find out more about nutrition education programs.
Nutrition education programs are available for aspiring registered dietician or anyone else surveying possible nutrition careers. With this educational grounding, a nutritional counselor can help people sift through the mountain of information in order to develop optimal eating plans.
Even more advantageous is the number of online nutrition science degree program available to busy adults. Pursuing degrees at their own paces, these students receive nutrition education without interrupting work or family obligations.
The degree and institution selected by a potential nutritionist largely depends on the type of work sought. For example, employment as a registered dietician comes with certain prerequisites set by the American Dietetic Association:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate college or university.
- A supervised internship lasting up to a year.
- Successful completion of a national examination.
- Ongoing participation in continuing education modules.
Training of this sort can lead to employment in:
- Health care facilities.
- School districts.
- Retirement homes.
- Fitness clubs.
Therefore, an applicant will seek a school that has regional accreditation, relationships with hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other institutions, and a curriculum tailored to the nationwide examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Online nutrition education that conforms to these rigorous guidelines is best offered by a school that has a physical campus behind its virtual presence. Northeastern University and Tufts University — both in the Boston, Massachusetts, area — offer nutrition programs to campus residents and online subscribers, as does Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
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Institutions like these may also offer hybrid programs where majors can take classes in both formats, which is preferable with prospective employers that like to see a strong laboratory component in a candidate's coursework. Additionally, brick-and-mortar colleges are long established, carrying credibility in professional circles that only decades of endurance can establish.
Of course, strictly virtual institutions have gained increasing respect over time. The University of Phoenix and Kaplan University, for instance, offer courses that lead to nutrition careers independent of the RD licensing.
Food service management in restaurants and cafeterias as well as community nutrition counseling in day care and homeless facilities, look to hire graduates with broad coursework in the nutritional disciplines.
Organizations like 4-H and others that promote wellness are also in need of competent, educated nutritionists.
Additionally, tuition and fees appear to favor the online-only colleges: one credit hour costs $371 at Kaplan, whereas the same for in-state students at Western Carolina is $425.
For anyone interested in nutrition, there is a broad range of career choices available, from a food server in a cafeteria to a nutritional scientist with a Ph.D.
While different programs train students for different jobs using various nutrition education materials, determined individuals can find a favorable fit with the help of Reply! and its network of partners and businesses. This valuable resource can help inquirers sort out the most favorable among the many nutrition education programs.
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