Frequently Asked Question(s)
Q:What is the career outlook with clinical dietician programs?
A:According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dieticians and nutritionists as a whole might experience a faster than average growth in terms of jobs between 2012 and 2022. The most common area for employment of these individuals continues to be hospitals and nursing homes, but there might be a significant amount of outsourcing of food service and management.
Q:How does a certificate testing program to get a dietitian certification work internally?
A:According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, there are a certain number of steps you need to follow to obtain your dietician certification. The first is a Dietetics Practice Audit, following by test specifications, test item developments, new test item review, item pool review, test item processing, test administration, passing score determination, score reporting and finally program evaluation.
Q:What is a clinical dietician?
A:A clinical dietician is a professional who is responsible of monitoring and prescribing nutritional and dietary plans for patients in private practices, nursing homes, prisons, hospitals and schools. Their main area of focus is diet plans and how they can be used to prevent or treat health ailments like obesity and high blood pressure. The minimum amount of education you will need to become a clinical dietician is a bachelor's degree.
Q:What subjects are covered in a dietician degree online?
A:In a dietician degree, you will cover a range of subjects that will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills needed for a career as a dietician. Some of the topics include: nutrition assessment and therapy, humanities, nutritional aspects of disease, food service sanitation, food production, biochemistry, food science, principles of nutrition, and more. The curriculum may vary from place to place.
Q:After completing dietitian programs, what can I do?
A:With a degree in dietetics, you can work as a dietician in a healthcare institution, nursing facility, or even start-up your own business. The income level depends on your qualification, skill, and location. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians made a median annual income of $55,240 in 2012.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:What are the considerations I should keep in mind before applying for dietician courses online?
A:There are a few things you need to keep in mind when applying for a dietician course online. To be able to enroll in one of these, you will need to meet the prerequisite requirements. For instance, for a bachelor's degree, you might need to have done a sufficient amount of courses in chemistry, anatomy and physiology and biology, among others. Similarly, you must keep in mind that there will be offline requirements as well, so you need to find suitable facilities for such assignments. This, in most cases, is an internship in a healthcare facility.
Q:How long do dietitian masters programs take?
A:A masters degree in dietetics typically takes 2 years to complete. The program is designed to prepare students for advanced jobs in this field. Students must cover all the course components and earn a minimum number of credit hours to earn the degree. If you are looking for a shorter route to get a masters degree in dietetics, you can opt for an accelerated track.
Q:What practical experiences do dietitian graduate programs typically offer?
A:There is a very significant practical element in dietician graduate programs. These experiences are typically available in various settings such as working at an eating disorders clinic, clinical research centers at large teaching hospitals, outpatient cardiovascular clinics, offices of nationally distributed newsletters, private practices focused on nutrition for athletes. Graduates are prepared to work in a wide set of public health jobs.
Q:What are the jobs that I can get with a dietitian associates degree?
A:An associate degree in dietetics is an entry-level program. It is designed to equip you for entry-level jobs as dieticians. You can also become eligible for certain professional certifications with this degree such as the registered dietetic technician (DTR). However, you will first need to complete training and accumulate a certain number of work hours to get certified.
Q:Where should I get a clinical dietitian degree from?
A:There are a number of colleges offering dietetics and nutrition degree programs. You can search online and find out which college best fit your goals and costs. When selecting a school, you should check the following factors: accreditation of the school and the program, ranking, faculty qualifications, student reviews, and costs.