Dietitians are health professionals who apply the science and art of human nutrition to client needs. They help individuals and families of all ages, cultures, and economic means choose foods for adequate nutrition in health or disease throughout the life cycle. Dietitians also supervise the preparation and service of food to groups, develop modified diets, participate in nutrition research, and supervise the nutritional aspects of health care.

Dietitians may work in hospitals and other health care facilities or in private practice. They may work for government or community agencies, food industries, restaurants, schools, universities, the military, in communications, sales, or in a variety of other situations. As the public continues to recognize the dietetic professional as the true nutrition expert, demand for dietitians' services increases.

A registered dietitian is a professional who must have a college degree in nutrition, complete an internship or planned work experience, and pass a national examination to become registered. After becoming registered, the dietitian maintains continuing education requirements by attending workshops and lectures to keep nutrition knowledge up to date.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian

The first step in becoming a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) is to select an accredited university offering an undergraduate program in dietetics, nutrition, food science, or food service management. The Foods and Nutrition program with an emphasis in Dietetics at Middle Tennessee State University is approved by the American Dietetic Association and accredited by the American Home Economics Association and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

While enrolled in the dietetics program at MTSU, a student takes courses in a variety of nutrition or food science and food systems management courses. Other support subject courses include sociology, accounting, computer science, psychology, biology, chemistry, and general studies in English, history, humanities, and communication.

During the senior year, a dietetic practicum is completed which will introduce the student to all the practice areas of dietetics. Under the supervision of registered dietitians, students will work in hospital dietary departments, public health nutrition clinics, nursing homes, a hemodialysis center, and with dietitians in various other areas of expertise.

After completing the bachelor's degree, the second step is to be accepted into an accredited dietetic internship available in health care facilities, medical centers, and universities throughout the United States. Internships generally take nine to twelve months.

The final step is becoming a R.D. is to pass the national examination administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

In Tennessee, the requirements for becoming a Registered Dietitian are the same as for being licensed by the state as a Dietitian/Nutritionist (L.D.N.). After meeting registration requirements, you may apply for a license to practice as a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in Tennessee.

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