• The dietetics concentration meets the requirements to prepare students for entrance into a Dietetic Internship, which is a major step toward becoming a Registered Dietitian.
    • Nutrition and dietetics is a rapidly expanding field. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in this career field to grow 21% by 2022, faster than average for all occupations. The role of food in preventative medicine is now well known and the need for dietitians is on the rise.
    • To become a registered dietitian, you do not currently need a master’s degree, but you do need to complete a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship. Some schools offer these independently, but Appalachian combined the two experiences into one convenient program.
    • Most students will pursue their Registered Dietician license and go to work in hospitals, private medical practices or health departments. Some may choose to specialize in particular medical issues, such as cancer or diabetes, and align themselves with clinics focused on those areas.
    • Students not choosing to pursue the Registered Dietitian credential find work in public health, such as WIC or SNAP programs, or in community organizations such as the YMCA. The Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) is a credential that all graduates are eligible to obtain and may be of interest for these areas of practice. Appalachian dietetics graduates have also worked for many third-party companies that provide nutrition and dietetics services to hospital systems, such as Morrison or Sodexo. Many students have also been interested in sustainability and whole foods, which has led to employment with local food cooperatives and sustainable “farm to table” organizations.