HealthFreak wrote:Jeff,
I've been looking at different nutrition programs at various schools. Here are two descriptions of programs at Seattle Pacific University. What is your opinion of the degree that does not lead to becoming an RD? Are there job opportunities for that type of degree? If I pursued that type of degree I would try and get into a masters program. I think this one is an undergraduate program.
Food & Nutritional Sciences
The Food and Nutritional Science emphasis provides a broad background for those students interested in food and nutrition, but who are not seeking the RD credential. Students with this degree may work in clinical, research, public health or food service settings. The degree also provides an interesting background for those interested in nursing, dental hygiene, the allied health professions such as occupational therapy and physical therapy, culinary programs and food science. Many of these graduate programs have additional admission requirements, so students should plan appropriately.
Dietetics
The Dietetics emphasis, also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), at Seattle Pacific University provides the coursework required to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). Academic requirements and a suggested course sequence for the Dietetics emphasis are available in the undergraduate catalog (click here). After completing the DPD and the baccalaureate degree, a student wanting to become an RD must also complete a Dietetic Internship and take an exam offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
http://www.cdrnet.org/. Additional information on educational requirements and the RD credential can be found from the American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org. A list of Dietetic Internships is also available on this page.
I think the bottom line is to really think about what it is you want to do when you graduate because all the decisions are going to be based on helping you go to achieve what it is you really want to do.
In regard to the non-RD track, when you are done and you would go for a Masters, what would you get your Masters in?
The non RD track seems more for allied health professionals.
In my opinion, based on both my personal and professional experience over the years, I would recommend considering getting an undergraduate degree as an RD, and consider a graduate degree as an MSW. Or a dual graduate degree as an RD and a MSW.
THere are many limitations to the RD degree which the MSW would open up.
-The MSW is a primary care provider and can receive insurance reimbursement, where as the RD can't.
- The MSW focuses on counseling (and coaching) skills and actually licenses you as such, where the RD does not. Most of what you will be doing is counseling people in one way or another.
- The MSW and its profession is not bound to the same restrictions and/or influence the RD and its profession is under the ADA as the MSW can assist people in making lifestyle behavior changes as they see appropriate.
I think it is a viable option but of course, one you would have to explore on your own to see how it fits your goals, which of course, is going to be the most important thing in determining the direction you take.
Also, there is a great forum on VegSource which is run by my colleague Mark Rifkin, an RD, which is dedicated to these types of issues and questions.
http://www.vegsource.com/talk/nutrition/In Health
Jeff
