It is also possible to prepare for this profession by receiving an advanced degree in nutrition, food service management, or related sciences and providing evidence of qualifying work experience. The internship lasts 6 to 12 months and combines clinical experience under a qualified dietitian with some classroom work. Coordinated undergraduate programs enable students to complete their clinical experience requirement while obtaining their bachelor's degree. Experienced dietitians may advance to assistant or associate directors or director of a dietetic department. Graduate study in institutional or career administration is valuable to those interested in administrative dietetics.
Clinical specialization offers another path to career advancement.
As a result of scientific advances that have increased our understanding of the role of nutrition in treating disease, clinical specialization is on the rise. Specialty areas for clinical dietitians include cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Persons who plan to become dietitians or nutritionists should have organizational and administrative ability as well as scientific aptitude, and should be able to work well with people. Among the courses recommended for high school students interested in careers as dietitians are home economics, career administration, biology, health, mathematics, and chemistry. Job Outlook Employment of dietitians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000 to meet the expanding needs for individual and group meals in nursing homes, hospitals, retirement and life care communities, and social service programs of various kinds.