Is a health sciences degree a waste? (Trying to decide on a school)

[cookderosa]

I would definitely want to become licensed. i wish more schools had an online bachelors in nutrition but there aren't many. would it make sense to major in health sciences or even Environmental science then get my master's in nutrition?

Non-licensed people with degrees in nutrition (myself) are qualified to give general food and nutrition information that applies to the population at large- I can say "in this recipe, you can take out the butter and use olive oil because......" or "vitamin supplements are usually......." and so on.


So here's an important distinction. A licensed nutrition worker is qualified to counsel a specific person about their specific health - they are a clinician. They are a health care provider providing services covered by health insurance.

An RD can say "I'm putting you on the Mediterranean Diet. Here is the dietary plan to follow at home. We'll meet each Thursday to discuss your cholesterol levels." That would be an illegal conversation for me to have in North Carolina where I live. I could be charged with practicing medicine without a license.

I'll leave you to it- but here is a list of schools you can choose from.
If you find an online option, know that your clinical work (called Didactic) will still be face to face. RDs don't need Master's Degrees, and a Master's Degree won't back-track to qualify you for RD status. For example, if I wanted to become an RD, I would have to start with a Bachelor's Degree through an ACEND program and follow the same steps. (my master's wouldn't count because it's not ACEND)

1) Bachelor's Degree through an ACEND approved program
2) Obtain placement into a Didactic program for your clinical hours (this is competitive, and like medical school, you may not get to choose your placement site)
3) Pass your licensing exam

Accredited and Approved Dietetics Education Programs - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics - from the Academy