COLLEGE OF APPLIED & NATURAL SCIENCES

Nutrition and Dietetics

Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The role of food in preventing and treating diseases, such as diabetes, is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for patients with various medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health.

Dietetics has been ranked one of the 100 Best Jobs in the US News and World Report Rankings. The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists is $64,150.

The field of dietetics and nutrition is growing at a rapid pace. Join our program for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many. Our graduates have an 81 percent registered dietitian exam pass rate, for testers within one year of first attempt, among other Nutrition and Dietetics Programs.

If you pursue the registered dietitian option, an internship is required upon completion of your bachelor’s degree.

The School of Biological Sciences in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences offers an undergraduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Dietetic Internship, a graduate certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics, and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Note

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before midnight Central Time, Dec. 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Louisiana Tech University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.