Nutritionist, is MPH the way to go?

[funklab]

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So, I'm gonna have my undergrad degree in December, and I am applying to med school this summer. If I don't get in this cycle, I am going to pursue something else. I started looking around at the ADA website and programs in my area, because I think Nutritionist type jobs are incredibly interesting (don't laugh).

I see that there are several undergrad programs in my area, that I am SURE I could get into. But I figure it would probably take me just as long to get a 2nd undergrad degree from a different college as it would to get an MPH in Nutrition at an in state school.

But I have some questions.

How hard is it to get into MPH programs?

Is it going to look bad that I don't have much/any extracurriculars that relate to Nutrition? (I've got a couple that relate to medicine)

Anybody know if it would just be a waste of money to get an MPH? Will I be on the same level as "registered" undergrads when it comes to getting a job, or will I be looked upon as a more qualified applicant?

I sure hope someone on here can help me out a bit, I am kind of lost as to who can answer these questions for me.

thanks

 

[dancingdoctor13]

I'm definitely not laughing....its actually something i would consider as well. I don't think so since there isn't much you can do except for health fairs, working with children for nutrition purposes, and so forth with the credentials you currently have. See if you can shadow a nutritionist or see if she/he has any job openings or internships. What state are you specifically looking at for MPH programs? But, I wouldn't worry about it. Just have a goal in mind as to why you want to pursue the MPH in nutrition (its actually something I am interested as well (med school and MPH in nutrition or HM since i'm really into this field as well). Its not hard getting into certain programs, esp for MPH because in this economy they see that a lot of recent grads will be applying. I don't think necessarily if you just get an MPH in nutrition without an RD its actually not that helpful since u can't do clinical stuff (there are programs that combine the two in addition to MS degrees an stand alone RD prereqs) but if you combine it with an MD/DO it definitely can make u stand out both to admissions committees as well as future patients. If you have any specific questions feel free to pm me! Good luck!

 

[Stories]

The Registered Dietician route (typically a MS) is *very* different from the MPH Nutrition (aside from UNC's MPH/RD program) route. Make sure you're aware of the differences in what credential the two degrees give you.

And no, don't do a second bachelor's do a master's (RD: MS; Community health/research: MPH).

 

[funklab]

The Registered Dietician route (typically a MS) is *very* different from the MPH Nutrition (aside from UNC's MPH/RD program) route. Make sure you're aware of the differences in what credential the two degrees give you.

And no, don't do a second bachelor's do a master's (RD: MS; Community health/research: MPH).

That is actually the program that I was looking at.

It sounds like it is rather unique, since I don't think I even mentioned that I was in NC.

What I have in mind for a job would be maybe working in a hospital (or some other institutionalized type of setting) for a while, and then perhaps branching out slowly into private consultations. Would you suggest MS for this rather than UNC's MPH program?

Any idea where I can get more information?

 

[Nibor6000]

I'm an MS, RD. I went back to school to basically complete the undergrad and grad portions of a nutrition degree since my bachelors is in another area. My advice might be different than someone else's, but if you are going to do a nutrition degree, you really want to get the RD. The RD requires acceptance into an approved internship - typically 900+ hours of supervised practice. Then you have to pass a national certifying exam. Currently, depending on your location, there is a shortage of internships.

Anyone can be a "nutritionist." If someone is calling themselves this, and you are taking advice from them, ask them about their educational background.

While a nutrition degree can be useful in public health, and you would definitely be employable, many public health nutrition programs prefer an RD.

There are a number of RD distance learning programs where you set up your internships locally and submit your projects and assignments online. You would have to have the pre-requisite classes first.

Feel free to PM me for more details. Good luck!

 

[Nibor6000]

What I have in mind for a job would be maybe working in a hospital (or some other institutionalized type of setting) for a while, and then perhaps branching out slowly into private consultations. Would you suggest MS for this rather than UNC's MPH program?

You want the RD, if you want to practice in the hospital. A BS is okay, an MS is better. See my previous quote about what the RD involves. I highly recommend two years of clinical (i.e., hospital) experience before going into private practice, public health, etc. It's a big time commitment but worth it.

 

[Stories]

That is actually the program that I was looking at.

It sounds like it is rather unique, since I don't think I even mentioned that I was in NC.

What I have in mind for a job would be maybe working in a hospital (or some other institutionalized type of setting) for a while, and then perhaps branching out slowly into private consultations. Would you suggest MS for this rather than UNC's MPH program?

Any idea where I can get more information?

I think UNC's program is the only one of it's kind. It combines the education you get from the strict clinical dietitian programs with the community focus of the public health programs into one degree with the internship to get the RD certification with a MPH.

I don't know all the nitty gritty details, but check the UNC website for more detailed information. I know my sister was interested in this for a little while, but decided to go elsewhere due to cost (would have been out of state).

You want the RD, if you want to practice in the hospital. A BS is okay, an MS is better. See my previous quote about what the RD involves. I highly recommend two years of clinical (i.e., hospital) experience before going into private practice, public health, etc. It's a big time commitment but worth it.

This is the best advice.

 

[funklab]

I don't know all the nitty gritty details, but check the UNC website for more detailed information. I know my sister was interested in this for a little while, but decided to go elsewhere due to cost (would have been out of state).

Since your sister was considering UNC, maybe you know how competitive it is to get in?

I know there aren't that many spots (about 25 according to the website). If its that unique, it might be really popular (or really unpopular).

I checked out the info that they have on their website, and emailed someone from their program the other day, hopefully they get back to me soon.

 

[funklab]

Feel free to PM me for more details. Good luck!

Hi Nibor,

I'll PM you if you really want, but I'd rather have the discussion out here if its okay with you, so that other people who might have the same questions can get the same answers.

So UNC apparently has a MPH/RD program, can you give me some reasons for choosing that over a MS/RD program or vice versa?

How hard is it to get into a MS/RD program, how many applications do they have per opening (roughly)?

What kind of stats/extracurriculars do you need to get into an MS/RD?

Also, on UNC's website, they listed several very specific courses as prereqs for their MPH program. Among them was
Human Anatomy AND Human Physiology (which is just one course at my school)
Human Nutrition (not offered at ALL at my school)

Which is a bit depressing, because it seems like I would have to get into UNC undergrad and live there for a semester before I can even apply for the grad program, since it is probably the closest school to me that has those courses (and at least they would definitely transfer from their own undergrad program).

Are most schools like that with their prereqs?
Do I just go to a crappy school that lumps classes together and leaves other classes out?

 

[Nibor6000]

Hi Nibor,

I'll PM you if you really want, but I'd rather have the discussion out here if its okay with you, so that other people who might have the same questions can get the same answers.

So UNC apparently has a MPH/RD program, can you give me some reasons for choosing that over a MS/RD program or vice versa?

There aren't that many MPH/RD programs out there. If that's the program you want, go ahead. If I was the chief clinical dietitian at a hospital, I would probably be more interested in hiring an MS because that person would likely have more in-depth nutrition work, assuming the MS is in Nutrition.

How hard is it to get into a MS/RD program, how many applications do they have per opening (roughly)?

Depends on the program. Do the research on the programs you're interested in.

What kind of stats/extracurriculars do you need to get into an MS/RD?

Stats - depends on the program. Extracurriculars - depends on what you're interested in. Any exposure to the nutrition field would be looked upon favorably. I volunteered at a hospital nutrition department and worked for a grant-funded nutrition program before I applied.

Also, on UNC's website, they listed several very specific courses as prereqs for their MPH program. Among them was
Human Anatomy AND Human Physiology (which is just one course at my school)
Human Nutrition (not offered at ALL at my school)

A&P as one course should suffice. I had to take two semesters of a class called "Anatomy and Physiology." If you are applying straight into an MS program, you'll need a nutrition class. Some schools might admit you provisionally - take the pre-reqs you're missing and then move into the MS program.

Which is a bit depressing, because it seems like I would have to get into UNC undergrad and live there for a semester before I can even apply for the grad program, since it is probably the closest school to me that has those courses (and at least they would definitely transfer from their own undergrad program).

I spent a year and a half completing my pre-reqs.

Are most schools like that with their pre-reqs?

Look at the programs you're interested in.

Hope that helps.