How To Become A Registered Dietitian If You Already Have A Degree

Evaluate why you want to become a registered dietitian rd before we get into programs and pre requisites and all that we need to talk about why you want to go down this career path.

How to become a registered dietitian if you already have a degree. Nutrition is a critical factor in keeping well. First you ll need to finish at least a bachelor s degree at an accredited school of dietetics. Take the courses required by the academy of nutrition and dietetics acend through an acend accredited program this can be either an undergraduate program or graduate program but starting january 1 2024 all students must have a graduate degree to take the rd exam. At that point becoming a dietitian wasn t even on my radar.

Most students can earn a second bs degree in nutrition dietetics from asu upon completion of these dpd courses without additional general studies courses. It depends on if it s a bachelor s or master s degree you are holding. Becoming a registered dietitian if you already have a degree. Registered dieticians are the dietary experts for the food options that will keep us safer whether it s a balanced diet or eating to relieve the effects of a disease or a chronic illness.

The academy of nutrition and dietetics recommends five steps in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist or rdn. You might be confused like i was about how it all works especially if you are starting from scratch with the prerequisites and don t already have a nutrition undergraduate degree. About your university degree. That s why i m breaking it all down here with 3 easy steps to follow to become a registered dietitian even if you have a degree in another field.

If you have a bachelor s degree in required fields you can complete a dpd program receive a verification statement and move on to the next steps. Changing careers to become a registered dietitian can be a daunting process. I originally went to college thinking i wanted to major in physical therapy or athletic training. If you already have a bachelor s degree in another area and you wish to complete the asu dpd you must complete the following roster of dpd classes.

To become a dietitian you need a specific university degree a period of practical training and pass a national licensing exam. If you already have a bachelor s degree in another subject you can complete a post baccalaureate program. You will need to complete a degree in human nutrition and dietetics from a university program that has been accredited by the partnership for dietetic education and practice pdep. One of my most frequently asked questions on this blog is how to become a dietitian.

I m digging into the nitty gritty of what you need to do to become a registered dietitian if you already have a degree. Get a bachelor s degree if you already have one in a non nutrition field no worries we ll chat about that in a minute.