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DIETETICS

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

1. What is a Registered Dietitian?
2. What are the college course requirements?
3. What is the Dietetic Internship?
4. What are the employment opportunities?
5. Tell me more about Huntington, WV.

What is a Registered Dietitian?

Registered dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have:

• Completed  a minimum of a bachelor's Degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and coursework approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
• Completed a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a hospital or medical center, or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six-twelve months in length.
• Passed a national, written examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through CDR or other medical or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.

In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD.

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What are the college course requirements?

Dietitians study a variety of subjects, ranging from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, sociology, and communication to science courses such as chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and anatomy. 

The curriculum at Marshall University encompasses all of these areas. Marshall students are also required to complete electives that involve multicultural and international studies as part of the University Marshall Plan requirements.

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What is the Dietetic Internship?

The Dietetic Internship is a post-graduate program designed to prepare graduates who will be able to promote the optimal nutrition, health, and well being of individuals, groups, and communities.

The Internship provides the student with a variety of nutrition experiences in schools, businesses, health care facilities, and other community based settings in urban and rural areas. Students spend 24-hours per week at various facilities throughout the school year. Clinical and staff relief, which consists of forty hours per week will be completed during intercession and the first summer term (Session A). Rotations will provide interns with "hands on" experience in clinical nutrition, foodservice management, various nutrition programs, education and counseling, and research.

Upon completion of the Dietetic Internship, graduates are eligible to take the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian.

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What are the employment opportunities?

Registered Dietitians work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, public health, education, research, and RDs work in:

• Hospitals, HMOs, or other health care facilities educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team. They may also manage the foodservice operations in these settings, as well as in schools, daycare centers, and correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
• Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, educating clients about the connection between food, fitness, and health.
• Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries, working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marking or product development.
• Private practice, working under contract with health care or food companies, or in their own business. RDs may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors, and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
• Community and public health settings, teaching, monitoring and advising the public, and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
• Universities and medical centers, teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students, and others the sophisticated science of food and nutrition.
• Research areas in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals, directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

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Tell me more about Huntington, West Virginia.

Huntington is located in Cabell County, WV on the Ohio River.  There are three acute care hospitals, (Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Veterans Administration Medical Center ) along with smaller specialized care hospitals in the Huntington area. These facilities provide exposure to dietetic practice in both clinical and food service management.  The tri-state area also includes ambulatory dietetic services based in both clinical and community settings.

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Marshall University Dietetic Department
Copyright © 1999  [Marshall University]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 14, 2007.