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graduate programs/internships for nutritionist or dietitian??
Started
by Heather Thorpe
on January 14, 2010
Hello everyone~
So because of have become, shall we say obsessed, with learning more and more about what I am putting into my body, and knowing there are people out there that are macrobiotic counselors, I was thinking about becoming a kind of vegan counselor or maybe a nutritionist/dietitian with a special interest in veganism...is that even a thing??? hahaha I feel like there are so many people out there looking for guidance (i mean look at this website!!) and I know I'm looking for cooking classes or some hands on instruction that there has to be other people out there like me...And I know that Alicia created this website because she would have wanted this kind of help and network for herself so she created one hoping there were others that felt the same. I think I'm at the perfect place in my life having just graduated with a BA in Psychology, and am looking into schools in the UK for grad school...I figure I can use my psych background and then nutrition degree to help people transition into a new and healthier lifestyle...
As my perfect audience, I'm really curious to know what you all think :)
I am enrolled with Integrative Nutrition to become a health counselor. Let me know if you're interested in more information on the program. Many of the classes have a vegan focus, so I'm getting good info on helping people to live their healthiest lives. Integrative Nutrition has a distance learning program and works with students around the world.
The Integrative Nutrition program sounds really interesting. I've taken a lot of college level nutrition and I'm always advising people on health and nutrition. I'm looking for a career change, but knew that a traditional nutrition or dietician program would not be in alignment with my beliefs. Are you in the program in NYC or are you doing the distance program? What do you think about the program so far? How long do you have to go?
Hi Sierra, I am also interested in Integrative Nutrition. I have downloaded their catalog and it sounds perfect...the only thing is they do not give the cost of tuition. The admissions office is closed for the weekend. How much is the program?
Hey Guys...I read a lot about the program and it has gotten horrible reviews. Since I would trust anyone part of the Kind Life, Sierra...can you tell me your thoughts on this? I want to know everything I can before committing $9,000. (I found out the price online.) Thanks in advance!
Hi! I'm actually graduating with a BS in Nutrition and Exercise Science with a Dietetics Option from Oregon State... working towards becoming a Dietitian which will require an internship similar to a medical intern which doctors go through. It is a lot of work, but after becoming a registered dietian I will be able to work with anyone from yes, the obese and diabetic but also athletes, children and Vegans! There are so many options with this program if you really wanted to just do a vegan practice it can be done! The reason I choose to become RD is I too wanted to help people but because 'dietitian' is the only thing registered through the states/government, they are covered with insurance to prevent against malpractice lawsuits, also much like a doctor. Technically there is no such thing as a 'nutritionist' at least not in the legal world, and there have been tons of lawsuits against people who claim to be 'nutritionists' but are not licensed or registered whether they are educated or not. Since you already have a Bachelors, it should only take a 2 year Graduate Program to then apply for a dietetic internship, but I'm not familiar with many in the UK.. Good Luck!
thanks for the info Jessica - and regarding the integrative school of nutrition, I know people who have done the program. They loved it. They loved the info etc.....but apart from gaining great info they had no benefit from doing it. A big part of the program seems to be about marketing your services. I'm an acupuncturist, and into clean healthy diet and its effect on health, so referred two patients to my old neighbor who had done the integrative nutrition program. Neither patient was happy, the whole set up was about roping them into comitting to a series of visits (and you had to decided ON THE SPOT at your first visit if you would sign up for a series at a reduced rate, otherwise you would never have the chance again to get a lower rate - very used car salesman, very pushy, they train them to do that in the program). Both my patients were put off, and neither continued. None of the people who I know who have completed the program are currently working in that field - it seems almost like something that would be great to do to get this great info if you had a ton of money to spend, but in terms of doing it toward a career.....not so sure about that at all! I think Jessica's suggestions, or exploring different degree progams in nutrition might be the way to go - I'm looking into all of this myself actually!
Thanks Jessica and Ann, I appreciate your input! It does almost seem too good to be true. I agree about not knowing exactly how my own business would go. So much of me just wants to help people who are clueless, but of course money is involved as well and we all have to make it. I'm going to do some more research (unforuntately there is no way I can go back to school full-time or for a high price) but with this online program ($5,000) it COULD be good if I was taken seriously after I got the certification.
Just for clarification since I confused myself - the program is somewhere around $9,000 for classes in NYC and the Distance Learning is $5,000. There is a web seminar with alumni if anyone is interested in getting more info tmrw at 3pm. Sign up at their website. Let's keep posting our findings so we can get out there and help people live better!
Being a Registered Dietitian DOES NOT mean that you have to promote that people eat lots of meat! I promise. Yes, the food guide pyramid isn't perfect and it does include meat for those who choose to eat it, but it is not a requirement. We may have to accept that some people aren't passionate about our cause, but progress for them could be to move towards a more plant based diet, which would still be an improvement.
There are lots of new and exciting opportunities for RDs now. I choose to work with obese, diabetic, or heart disease patients because it is absolutely to see people wanting to change their lives for the better. So many people have not had the opportunity to learn what we know, and I like that I get to be a part of that. It is amazing when a patient finally gets it - when they make the connection of food and their health. Most people were not raised to think this way, so someone has to let them know :)
On the other hand, there are so many cool thing in more of the prevention field, which it sounds like you are interested in. I know dietitians who work with the sick, with the healthy, with people of low income or wealthy. Prevention of disease and environmental causes is a growing field. We need people like you all in the dietetic field to help make changes. So many RDs are creating brand new business ideas and jobs, that you could be someone who specializes in vegan diets. You have lots of options.
Good luck on your search!!
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