Frequently Asked Questions
About the KU programs in Dietetics and Nutrition
Question: I have a Bachelor's degree in another field but now I want to become a nutritionist. What do I have to do to reach this career goal?
Answer: First you need to decide if you want to be a Registered Dietitian or if you want to add graduate course work in nutrition to your educational background. To help you decide, visit the website of the American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org). At this site click on "Careers and Students". From this page you can click on "Registered Dietitians" to read the education requirements and employment opportunities for RD's.
If you decide that you need to be an RD to accomplish your career goals, click on "Education Programs" to find out which universities offer the undergraduate course work that is the first step to becoming an RD. [back to top]
Question: I have a nutrition degree from a country other than the U.S. How can I become a Registered Dietitian in the U.S.?
Answer: Visit the website of the American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org). At this site click on "Careers and Students". From this page you can click on "International Fact Sheet". [back to top]
Question: Which universities in the Greater Kansas City Area offer an undergraduate degree in nutrition and the course work necessary to apply for a dietetic internship?
Answer: Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg. All the course work is available on campus and some of it is available online. Visit www.cmsu.edu/dietetics.
Kansas State University in Manhattan KS. All the course work is available on campus and online. Visit www.humec.ksu.edu/hrimd. [back to top]
Question: What is the difference in the positions available to a Registered Dietitian versus a non-RD with a degree in nutrition?
Answer: Positions in health care organizations, physicians' clinics and some other organizations usually require a Registered Dietitian. Some other positions are available to both RD's and people with a nutrition degree such as positions in government agencies, food industry, research, community and public health settings, sports nutrition, wellness programs and public schools. Some individuals obtain an MS in Nutrition at KUMC to place them at an advantage to apply for medical school. [back to top]
Question: A number of prospective applicants for the MS in Nutrition say: "My undergraduate grades aren't quite good enough or I am missing one of the prerequisite courses or there isn't enough time to take the GRE before the next semester." Can I possibly get started on the MS in Nutrition now?
Answer: There is more than one category of degree-seeking students. A potential graduate student who does not meet all the requirements for regular graduate status may qualify for probationary or provisional graduate status and be able to start the MS immediately. These graduate students are re-evaluated after the equivalent of a semester of full time study to see if they qualify for advancement to regular graduate status. The course work taken can be applied to the MS degree. [back to top]
About the KU programs in Dietetics and Nutrition
- I have a Bachelor's degree in another field but now I want to become a nutritionist. What do I have to do to reach this career goal?
- I have a nutrition degree from a country other than the U.S. How can I become a Registered Dietitian in the U.S.?
- Which universities in the Greater Kansas City Area offer an undergraduate degree in nutrition and the course work necessary to apply for a dietetic internship?
- What is the difference in the positions available to a Registered Dietitian versus a non-RD with a degree in nutrition?
- A number of prospective applicants for the MS in Nutrition say: "My undergraduate grades aren't quite good enough or I am missing one of the prerequisite courses or there isn't enough time to take the GRE before the next semester." Can I possibly get started on the MS in Nutrition now?
Question: I have a Bachelor's degree in another field but now I want to become a nutritionist. What do I have to do to reach this career goal?
Answer: First you need to decide if you want to be a Registered Dietitian or if you want to add graduate course work in nutrition to your educational background. To help you decide, visit the website of the American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org). At this site click on "Careers and Students". From this page you can click on "Registered Dietitians" to read the education requirements and employment opportunities for RD's.
If you decide that you need to be an RD to accomplish your career goals, click on "Education Programs" to find out which universities offer the undergraduate course work that is the first step to becoming an RD. [back to top]
Question: I have a nutrition degree from a country other than the U.S. How can I become a Registered Dietitian in the U.S.?
Answer: Visit the website of the American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org). At this site click on "Careers and Students". From this page you can click on "International Fact Sheet". [back to top]
Question: Which universities in the Greater Kansas City Area offer an undergraduate degree in nutrition and the course work necessary to apply for a dietetic internship?
Answer: Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg. All the course work is available on campus and some of it is available online. Visit www.cmsu.edu/dietetics.
Kansas State University in Manhattan KS. All the course work is available on campus and online. Visit www.humec.ksu.edu/hrimd. [back to top]
Question: What is the difference in the positions available to a Registered Dietitian versus a non-RD with a degree in nutrition?
Answer: Positions in health care organizations, physicians' clinics and some other organizations usually require a Registered Dietitian. Some other positions are available to both RD's and people with a nutrition degree such as positions in government agencies, food industry, research, community and public health settings, sports nutrition, wellness programs and public schools. Some individuals obtain an MS in Nutrition at KUMC to place them at an advantage to apply for medical school. [back to top]
Question: A number of prospective applicants for the MS in Nutrition say: "My undergraduate grades aren't quite good enough or I am missing one of the prerequisite courses or there isn't enough time to take the GRE before the next semester." Can I possibly get started on the MS in Nutrition now?
Answer: There is more than one category of degree-seeking students. A potential graduate student who does not meet all the requirements for regular graduate status may qualify for probationary or provisional graduate status and be able to start the MS immediately. These graduate students are re-evaluated after the equivalent of a semester of full time study to see if they qualify for advancement to regular graduate status. The course work taken can be applied to the MS degree. [back to top]
