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Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist

Program Description

Just the Facts

Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist. A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of dietetics and the biomedical and nutrition sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs as part of clinical treatment and therapy programs, and to manage health care facility food services. Includes instruction in human nutrition, nutrient metabolism, the role of foods and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention, nutrition as a treatment regime, planning and directing hospital food service programs, diet and nutrition analysis and planning, supervision of food storage and preparation, special diets, client education, and professional standards and regulations.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:


Related Careers

Check out related careers


Additional Information

Although dietitians and nutritionists have similar jobs, those wanting to call themselves a dietitian must be certified. On the other hand, anyone who works in a food-related industry may refer to themselves as a nutritionist. Education-wise, that's an important distinction.

To become a dietitian, you must attend a four-year degree program that is recognized by the American Dietetic Association.

Where it gets confusing is that some of the accredited programs call themselves "nutrition" rather than "dietetics." But not all nutrition programs are accredited. If you're thinking of enrolling in a nutrition program, but you want to become a dietitian, make sure it's accredited.

You'll find two types of education in dietetics and nutrition -- coordinated and didactic. Coordinated programs include an internship or supervised practice element. That means grads will be able to write their certification exam right after graduation.

Didactic programs just focus on coursework. To be certified as a dietitian, you'll still have to do a supervised practice component after graduation before you can write the certification exam.

Students in dietetic and nutrition programs take classes in health, physical education, sciences and math.

Steven Zeisel is the associate dean of the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He says his program combines everything from behavior classes to science classes.

"Our programs integrate many aspects of science, from molecular biology to behavior. We look for students interested in working in multiple disciplines who like crossing these fields," he says.

There are a wide range of internship options: in hospitals, nursing homes, government agencies, diet clinics, wellness centers or doctors' offices.

In high school, concentrate on classes such as biology, chemistry, math and health. Communication and analytical classes will also help you develop problem-solving skills that are essential in this type of career.

You can get experience by volunteering or working in hospitals, nursing homes and food service companies.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Dietitians and Nutritionists

American Dietetic Association
Check out their Careers section for information on credentialing requirements

Food and Nutrition Information Center
An online library of food-related info

KidsHealth
Find out more about eating healthy