Undergraduate training in nutrition can lead to careers in industry, hospitals, schools, colleges, government agencies, and clinics. Students are also prepared for entry level research positions in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields. A nutrition degree also can provide a sound background for those intending to go to graduate school in any of the life sciences or the health professions. Dietetics is appropriate for students seeking careers as clinical dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, and consultants in food and nutrition. People in dietetics engage in such activities as assessing patients nutritional needs, developing and implementing nutritional programs and evaluating patients progress.
Most positions are available in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and health maintenance programs.
A background in nutrition and dietetics also can lead to business-related opportunities in such fields as sales, marketing, customer service, employee wellness, human resources and general management. The University of Texas offers two options in earning a bachelor of science degree in Nutrition. Option 1, Nutrition, emphasizes the science of nutrition and its application to the field of dietetics and allows students to choose between two sequences of study. Sequence A meets the academic requirements to become a dietitian. However, a dietetic internship following graduation is necessary to meet the experience requirements.