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What is a Dietitian?

Learn more about the important role of dietitians and nutrition experts and why they are essential members of the modern health care team.

hospital dietitian consults with a male patient who's in bedThe Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics defines a registered dietitian as a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the RD credential.

Requirements and process to become a registered dietitian (RD)

Students wishing to become registered dietitians study subjects including food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, communications, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry.

Registered dietitians must meet the following criteria to obtain the RD credential:

  1. Receive a master’s degree from an accredited university or college and complete coursework through a Coordinated Program (CP), Graduate Program (GP) or Foreign (FDE) Program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Find a list of programs at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

    KU does not provide a didactic program in dietetics and is unable to provide the verification statement required for application to dietetic internships.

  2. Complete supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics at a health care facility, community agency, or a food service corporation, or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. This can be completed through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated Program (CP), or Graduate Program (GP).

    KU offers two dietetic internship tracks: one for those who do not already hold a graduate degree (Dual MS/Dietetic Internship program, and a Dietetic internship graduate certificate program for those already holding a graduate degree.

  3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Students completing KU's dietetic internship graduate certificate program are eligible to complete the national examination. KU dietetic interns have an excellent pass rate and outstanding job placement upon completing the program.

  4. Once the RD is obtained, the registered dietitian must complete continuing education requirements to maintain registration.

Licensure and Certification

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

All U.S. states with licensure and certification requirements currently accept the registered dietitian credential for state licensure and certification purposes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on specific state licensure requirements.

While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Some registered dietitians hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession. These are not required credentials but note expertise in specialty fields. Some of the certifications include weight management, renal nutrition, pediatric nutrition, nutrition support, sports, and diabetes education.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintains a list of registered dietitians providing medical nutrition services to the public. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains a list of dietitians licensed to practice in the state of Kansas. Licensed Dietitians from Kansas use the LD or LDN credential.


A Career in Demand

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered dietitians is expected to grow because of increased emphasis on disease prevention, the growing elderly population and public interest in nutrition.

Registered dietitians are trained to work in a variety of areas:

  • Hospitals and other health care facilities providing medical nutrition therapy.
  • Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs providing preventative services educating clients about the connection between nutrition, physical activity and health.
  • Food and nutrition-related business and industries working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing product development or consulting with restaurants and culinary schools.
  • Private practice working under contract with health care or food companies or in their own business

The Importance of the Registered Dietitian

Some individuals call themselves “nutritionists” and offer nutrition services without education, formal training, or licensing as a nutrition professional. However, the registered dietitian has a college degree and years of advanced training plus has passed a national examination to obtain the RD credential. The registered dietitian is the nutrition expert.

Accreditation

The University of Kansas dietetic internship graduate certificate program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, ext. 5400; ACEND@eatright.org.

The full accreditation covers the remainder of the 7-year term ending December 31, 2023. This term was extended to December 31, 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Another extension was granted in summer 2022 and is valid until December 31, 2025.

The program outcomes data are available upon request to prospective students and the public. Documents relating to accreditation may be obtained from the department office.


School of Health Professions

University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 4013
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5355 • 711 TTY