CMU F & N - Dietetics Major

Dietetics Major

Careers

Why major in dietetics at CMU?

Dietetics is the practical application of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease. Dietetics is an exciting and challenging profession because there are many diseases that are related to nutrition. These include coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

The dietetics major at Central Michigan University is referred to as a Didactic Program in Dietetics. CMU has the second largest didactic program in Michigan. We offer a supportive environment with relatively small class sizes and individual attention from well-qualified faculty. Additional opportunities for faculty-student interaction are available through student organizations and research projects.

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

Most students who complete the dietetics major go on to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). An RD is a food and nutrition expert who plans nutrition programs and meals. RDs help prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and by modifying diets to help cure disease. Some RDs run food service programs for hospitals and schools and conduct research.

Careers for Registered Dietitians

RDs find exciting jobs working as:

Clinical dietitians, who provide medical nutritional therapy for patients in institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Sports dietitians, who work in corporate wellness programs, educating clients about the connection between food, health and optimal athletic performance.
Community dietitians, who counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and promote good health.
Management dietitians, who oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in health care facilities, company cafeterias, prisons, and schools.
Education dietitians, who teach in universities and medical centers, teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students, and others about nutrition and disease prevention.
Consultant dietitians, who work under contract with health care facilities or in their own private practice. RDs may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors, and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
Corporate dietitians, who work in food and nutrition-related businesses and industries. They may work in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development.
Research dietitians, who work in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals. They conduct research experiments to find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

How do I become an RD?

There are three steps in becoming a Registered Dietitian:

1. Complete a Bachelor's in an approved
Didactic Program in Dietetics

2. Complete a post-baccalaureate
Dietetic Internship

3. Pass the Registration Examination
for Dietitians

Become a Registered Dietitian (RD)

During the senior year, students should apply for admission into a dietetic internship. Dietetic internships vary in length from six months to one year. To have a good chance of getting accepted into a dietetic internship, you should do the following:

· maintain a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0 -- this includes all college courses regardless of where you have taken them, not just those taken at CMU

· work several hundred hours in dietetics-related work experience and volunteer experience

· participate in activities that demonstrate leadership

Employment opportunities for RDs

Registered Dietitians have one of America's best jobs ... The May issue of Money magazine ranked "The Best Jobs in America" based on criteria that included "stress level, flexibility in work environment and hours, creativity and ease of entry and advancement in the field." Dietitian/Nutritionist was ranked #40 among more than 160 jobs listed. Learn more at money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/snapshots/40.html.

Employment of dietitians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 as a result of increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits. A growing and aging population will boost the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education and prudent lifestyles also will spur demand, especially in management. In addition to employment growth, job openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who leave the occupation.

The number of dietitian positions in nursing care facilities and in State government hospitals is expected to decline, as these establishments continue to contract with outside agencies for food services. However, employment is expected to grow rapidly in contract providers of food services, in outpatient care centers, and in offices of physicians and other health practitioners. With increased public awareness of obesity and diabetes, Medicare coverage may be expanded to include medical nutrition therapy for renal and diabetic patients. As a result, dietitians that have specialized training in renal or diabetic diets or have a master’s degree should experience good employment opportunities.

Employment growth for dietitians and nutritionists may be constrained if some employers substitute other workers, such as health educators, food service managers, and dietetic technicians. Growth also may be curbed by limitations on insurance reimbursement for dietetic services.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists were $43,630 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,940 and $53,370. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,760. In May 2004, median annual earnings in general medical and surgical hospitals, the industry employing the largest number of dietitians and nutritionists, were $44,050.

According to the American Dietetic Association, median annualized wages for registered dietitians in 2005 varied by practice area as follows: $53,800 in consultation and business; $60,000 in food and nutrition management; $60,200 in education and research; $48,800 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $50,000 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $44,800 in community nutrition; and $45,000 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, geographic region, and size of the community