If the answer to the question, “What is a public health nutritionist?” appeals to you, then it’s time to start planning your career pathway. If you’re still in high school, talk to your guidance counselor about adding more science and math classes. Your high school may offer health-related classes, such as lifespan development, anatomy and even nutrition.
While still in high school, you could explore local opportunities to gain hands-on experience. For instance, apply for a part-time job in the food service department of your local hospital, or see if you can land an internship at a public health department near you.
All aspiring nutritionists are expected to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, and it’s quite common for them to also hold a master’s degree. Some nutritionists have a doctoral degree in nutrition science, although a PhD isn’t a strict requirement.
After high school, the first step in the process of becoming a public health nutritionist is to earn your bachelor’s degree. You should look for a degree in nutritional sciences and/or dietetics. Expect to spend four years as a full-time student to earn your baccalaureate nutrition and dietetics degree.
Although the specific curriculum will vary from one program to the next, you can generally expect to study topics such as the following:
- Fundamentals of nutrition theory, examining assessments, food components, exercise, weight control, community programs and resources
- Nutrition requirements at each stage of the lifespan, as well as how nutrition influences growth, development and health status
- Principles of food science, with a look at food safety, preparation, processing and preservation, as well as ingredient interactions
- Health psychology using a biopsychosocial model and examining topics such as chronic illness development and management, health behaviors and influences such as stress
- Nutrition research designs and applications in areas such as applied epidemiology, food production and sustainability
- Advanced meal planning, nutritional requirements and restrictions of special populations, sports nutrition and advanced applications of nutritional principles
In addition, you’ll take general science courses, such as organic chemistry, microbiology and anatomy. You may also be required to take a capstone course in your senior year. Capstone courses typically involve research and writing-intensive projects intended to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve learned during your studies.
You’ll have the opportunity to take a few electives as an undergraduate. It’s a good idea to take at least one elective in communications, since public health nutritionists must have excellent public speaking and presentation skills. You might also look for a course related to public policy and advocacy, as public health nutritionists sometimes serve as lobbyists and advocates for their communities.
While you may decide to return to school later to earn a doctoral degree, earning a master’s degree is required after graduating with your bachelor’s degree in order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Look for a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics that aligns with the requirements for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and that will prepare you to sit for the credentialing exam from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to become a registered dietitian.
A Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree that meets those requirements will include both coursework and at least 1,000 hours of experiential learning. You may be able to complete the coursework online, but have in-person, supervised experiential learning hours. This type of degree can take less than two years to complete, depending on your chosen schedule.
You can typically expect to study the following topics while working toward your master’s degree:
- Standardized methods of food preparation, menu planning and relevant management practices
- Advanced medical nutrition theory, with a look at applied nutritional therapy for the prevention and management of diseases
- Public health or community nutrition and advocacy, including the public health nutritionist’s role in community-wide nutrition program development and delivery
- Cultural competencies and advocacy skills
- Leadership styles and skills in the nutrition and dietetics field
Your degree program may integrate experiential learning hours directly into the curriculum. This type of program involves completing a certain number of hours for each class you take. This structure will enable you to continue moving forward with your coursework while also meeting your experiential learning requirements.
Although it’s common for master’s degrees in nutrition and dietetics to incorporate experiential learning hours into the curriculum, some programs might not offer this opportunity to students. If you completed a master’s degree that only involved coursework, you will need to complete a dietetic internship following your graduation. It is important to note that if you are applying to a dietetic internship, you must also have a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND Accredited DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) program.
You’ll need to apply to a dietetic internship program at a hospital or clinic. Various facilities run their programs a little differently, but interns can generally expect to go through clinical rotations combined with additional learning opportunities, such as presentations, assignments and workshops.
As an intern, you’ll be assigned to a preceptor (supervisor) for each rotation. Your specific activities will depend on the unit you’re assigned to at any given time.
Dietetic interns will first follow their preceptor, observing how they work with patients, complete assessments and handle other tasks. Once you have a firm grasp on the job duties, your preceptor will shadow you as you meet with and assess patients. Lastly, once your preceptor determines that you’re ready, you’ll be able to work with patients solo, although your preceptor will still be available to guide you when needed.
After completing the eligibility requirements, you are eligible to sit for a credentialing exam. The most recognized and respected credential in this field is the registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential. Although these seem like two different credentials, they are actually the same and may be used interchangeably depending on the professional’s preference.
The RD credential is administered by the CDR of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Once you’ve been validated by the CDR as having met the eligibility requirements, you can schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE test center. The exam is administered year-round.
