TRAITS

for Success

strong math, science and verbal skills

work independently

detail-oriented

good communication skills

 
ietitians are experts on how food and
nutrition apply to health.  They are involved
wherever nutrition can help to improve quality of life.  Their
actual job responsibilities depend upon their practice settings.
Dietitians educate people about good nutrition.  They may
work with individuals who are most at risk of poor health
including pregnant women, children, elderly, and citizens with
very limited resources.  They develop the most nutritious
food plans possible for patients who can eat traditional
foods; for patients who cannot tolerate traditional foods,
they provide other diets.  They supervise dietary

personnel, plan institutional menus, and manage budgets.

Average Starting Salary $36,428
 
Areas of Specialization
Business Dietetics
Clinical Dietetics
Community Dietetics
Diabetes Education
Education and Research
Management
Nutrition Support
Pediatric Nutrition
Renal Nutrition
 
Work Environment
Business and industry
Clinics
Colleges and universities
Food service
Government agencies
Hospitals
Health clubs
Nursing homes
Private practice (consultant)
Public health departments
Public schools
 

EDUCATIONAL

PROGRAMS

Bachelor's Degree

Fort Valley State University

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Life University

University of Georgia

 

Master's Degree

Georgia State University

University of Georgia

 

Doctoral Degree

University of Georgia
 
Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is
recommended.  This career requires
two components.  The first component
is academic (didactic) preparation.
Dietitians must complete a program of
study approved by the American
Dietetic Association.  Most of these
programs of study are at the under-
graduate level, although it may be
possible to complete the required
course work while enrolled in a
graduate program.  The second com-
ponent of education is an approved
supervised practice component.  This
component can be satisfied along with the
didactic preparation in a coordinated
program or can be satisfied after
didactic preparation in a Dietetic
Internship Program.
 
 
 
 
Licensure, Certification, and
Registration
After completion of didactic and
practice experience, students are
eligible to take the Registration
Examination for Dietitians.  This
examination is administered by the
Commission on Dietetic Registration.
After passing the examination, students
become Registered Dietitians (RD).
Licensure of dietitians is administered
through the Georgia Board of
Examiners of Licensed Dietitians
and has the same basic requirements
as registration.  Licensed dietitians may
use the initials LD.
 
Professional Organizations
American Dietetic Association
(800) 877-1600
www.eatright.org
 
Georgia Dietetic Association
(770) 433-9044
www.gda-online.org
 
Society for Nutrition Education
(800) 235-6690
www.sne.org
 
 
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