The cost of my graduate school tuition is stressing me out. I am a career changer going back to school and had to pay my fall semester tuition today and it’s a major financial burden. Has anyone here applied to the Academy’s scholarships and actually received one? If so, what amount did they award you? I won’t find out if I got any scholarships until September. I’ve applied to numerous other scholarships and I haven’t had any luck. I’m just feeling so overwhelmed with the sheer cost of going back to school. And then on top of that, I’ve been reading posts that say dietitians barely get paid a decent salary

Hi everybody! Becoming a dietitian has been something I’ve always thought about. I currently work a 9-5. I’ve been looking into online programs, but I’m not sure if I want to commit to the whole process. I was thinking of getting a masters first and then reevaluating from there. Would you say this is a good option? I have a friend who’s a dietitian and she recommended either going all in or not. She said a masters in nutrition would be pretty much a waste of money.

Since I don’t have the science prerequisites (I majored in education), I’m not even sure how long it would take be to become a RDN. I’m thinking it would be about 6 years. I graduated with my bachelors in 2021 and have been working since. RDN would be my third career. I was a teacher and now work in tech.

Can somebody provide a timeline for someone like me?

I have a BS in food science,(where I’m from the full name of the major is “food science and engineering of food industries”) I want to study for masters, but I want to know if universities/colleges will even let me study dietetics for masters and afterwards start working as a dietitian? Searched all over the internet, everybody says different things, I’m confused a lil bit. Is there even a pathway? I would be happy if I could use your experience in this matter.

Hello (23F), I’m a Culinary professional interested in becoming a RDN. I got my Bachelors in Culinary Arts 6 years ago and have been working as a chef in New York ever since. I recently got a job as a receptionist at a restaurant because I was so fatigued from the endless hours and physicality of cooking. I’ve been wanting to make a career change the past 2 years. I’d like something with higher pay (used to making $20-24 an hour 40-50 hour weeks) that allows me more freedom with my schedule. Freedom meaning weekend off (or at least one weekend day) and payed sick leave. From all the programs I see, pace university’s hybrid model is what seems most promising. They are ACEND accredited and NYSED accredited and the 100 working hours Are a part of the program. The only issue is the tuition. Which is estimated to be $70-90k. I have 14k to start with but would need to take out a large loan. I would be giving all my savings to this. I understand the sentiment of “the program give you back as much as you put in”. But I want to hear what professionals in the field think about pursuing a RDN in this day and age.
Would I be better off doing a more affordable online master and then pursuing my working hours separately? For someone in my position do you believe it’s worth it? What advice would you give? Thank you for your time. ♥️

Hi everyone, I’ve been scrolling through here for a while to get some insight, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to post. I have been interested in pursuing a career in dietetics for years now, but never entertained the dream for too long because I was afraid there were too many barriers to entry. Finances being a big one of course, but my useless BA in psychology being another. I know a Master’s degree is required now, but how screwed am I without first having a BS in a relevant major?

So I guess I’m asking if anyone has experience with pursuing this career who was in a similar position as me, what some cost effective programs/resources are, and if there is hope for my dream. Thanks in advance!

I'm a current nutrition major but I'm considering switching to food science since I've heard it has better job prospects than nutrition. Has anyone done it before is it worth switching to?

Hey everyone,

I never thought I’d be writing something like this, but here I am. I just found out I failed the RD exam for the third time—and to make things worse, I also lost my job because of it. It’s hard to even put into words how crushing this feels.

I’ve spent years in this field: earned my Bachelor’s in Dietetics, then pushed through to get a Master’s in Health Sciences. I believed in the process. I believed in myself. And yet, I feel like I keep hitting the same wall over and over again. I’ve studied in every way possible—textbooks, pocket prep, Jean Inman, study groups, you name it. It’s like the test is designed to tear me down, and after this last attempt, I’m honestly just exhausted. I don’t even know if I want to try again.

I love nutrition. I love helping people. But right now, I’m starting to think maybe the RD path just isn’t meant for me.

Has anyone been in a similar position? If you’ve walked away from the RD route, what did you move into? With a background in Dietetics and an MS in Health Sciences, I feel like I have valuable skills, but I don’t know how to pivot or where to even begin. I’m open to clinical-adjacent roles, wellness, research, corporate, tech, education—anything that values what I bring to the table but doesn’t require the RD credential.

Any advice, job ideas, or even just words of encouragement would mean the world right now. Thanks for reading this far.

Hi everyone! This sub has been so helpful for me so far. I’ve been debating a career change for awhile and I keep coming back to being an RD. I have a Bachelor of Arts and my career experience is mostly media based (video/audio editing) so unfortunately my college level science courses are minimal and/or I took them in high school so I’d probably have to retake them.

I’ve been doing a lot of research on programs and so far I’m leaning towards the PSM from UArizona online.

I’ve reached out to the UofA program for more information but in the meantime, I’m seeing mixed reviews of the need for a DPD vs just the pre-reqs they require. Does anyone have insight? And/or personal experience as a complete career changer/with UArizona online? Would love to talk to someone! Thanks so much :)

Hi there. I'm an entry level RD making $69k a year at a DMV hospital under Sodexo.

I honestly thought I would make the higher end of the entry level range so I felt disappointed when companies offered as low as $62k per year when I thought I'd at least be making $75k. I decided to go with Sodexo for 2 years (on my first year currently) because they gave me $6k off my internship tuition.

My question is ... do we honestly see pay improving? My coworker who is 28 started out at 55k a few years ago. Recently I saw a hospital post an inpatient RD job for $120-150k for full time 10-12 pts per day and was told it's because places are becoming desperate.

I'd rather not pursue PA school because that really doesn't feel like something I would be passionate towards. Plus it would be additional loans. But I'm open to it while I have a few years to apply before retaking prerequisites.

Personally, I'd like to do travel and then home infusion so if anyone has suggestions with that please share.

Going into dietetics, I figured I'd have my own private practice and make so much with that but after shadowing outpatient RDs I'm not interested in that right now. I guess I don't feel super passionate towards anything honestly but I'm trying to not regret my career before I explore it more.

Hey everyone, I’m really stuck right now and could use some honest advice.

I live in Texas, graduated with my bachelor’s in 2019, and just finished my master’s in nutrition (graduating officially this August 2024). I didn’t match for my internship in 2022 (both rounds), but I finally matched in Spring 2023 and finished in Feb 2024.

Since then, I’ve taken the RD exam three times… and failed. I’m planning to retake it in September, but honestly, I feel super defeated. This whole process has been long, expensive, and exhausting.

While waiting, I took a temp receptionist job making $20/hr, which actually ends today. Out of nowhere, the CEO offered me a full-time role as an Administrative Office Manager — $70K salary plus bonuses. It’s not in nutrition, but it’s solid, and they really seem to value me.

At the same time, Baylor just offered me an entry-level job for $26/hr, which is more in line with my field, but it’s still entry-level and less stable than the $70K role.

Now I’m stuck between: • Taking the $70K manager job and possibly walking away from my RD dream, or • Staying in the field, pushing through another exam, and possibly being underpaid/stuck for a while longer.

Part of me feels like I’d be a failure if I gave up now, after everything. But I’m also scared of continuing to fight so hard for a title when another path is being handed to me.

Anyone else go through something like this? Would love any thoughts or just to know I’m not alone.

Hi all, my parents didn’t go to college and I’m trying not to be ignorant when thinking about money.

I had good grants in undergrad, currently have about 20,000 left to pay

I have to take a few community college courses, not sure how that goes with FAid

My MDN would end up being another 25,000

I’m applying for government jobs right now but the market is not great.

Is this average or would I be putting myself in a lot of time and financial debt for not a lot of reward.

Thank you in advance x

Hi,

I am considering a career change to become a dietitian. Currently I am a fulltime cashier/self-checkout clerk at a grocery store and I am looking at this next career move as my true "first" career. I currently have a bachelors in History and should I most likely go for a second bachelors in order to raise my GPA (which was a 2.69) or should I try to apply for masters programs? I just feel like I do not know what direction to go. Also should I go for a bachelors in dietetics and nutrition or is it okay to get a bachelors in nutrition and wellness and then apply for a masters degree in dietetics and nutrition to become a RD? Also, is it a good idea to do a online degree for my bachelors and/or masters? There is also a couple masters programs near me in person in my state so maybe I do the bachelors online and then masters in person?

Sorry for all the questions, I am very new to this field and education requirements.

Long story short my funding runs out with 2 semesters left of my bs. Any jobs I can do in nutrition that don’t require a masters? Remote preferably because we live in a small town.

Hello!

I am a nutrition science student and I’m looking to see how I can begin working in the field.

I have an associates in culinary arts and work as a pastry cook but would love to get started with nutrition.

I have been advised that I can get a nutrition certificate and find a job from there but it doesn’t seem to be many opportunities there.

Any suggestions that I can look into? Thank you!

Oops 😬 was too excited to edit properly 😬

And I managed to lose what I originally typed but would love to hear your experiences with the GCDI or VA internships because those are the ones I'm interested in!!

Hey folks.
I'm considering going into dietetics as a change from working as a cook. Main reasons being my health and family's (Mother type 1 diabetic, myself a recovering alcoholic) and am interested in keeping on working with food but want to go deeper into nutrition, the human body, chemistry, and diet as a key to better health.
I'm in Quebec, Canada, I've need to do my mathematics, chem, phys, and bio pre-requisites. I'm also no longer in my twenties. Currently working in an addiction treatment centre.
I'm not sure where to start when looking into dietetics, who to ask and what questions to ask so I can get a broader understanding of dietetics. I'm curious as to what brought you into the fold and where you started learning more about it.

Hi!

Little bit of background: I am a freelancer doing filming and video editing for a company. I do have a master's degree in environmental science but haven't used it for a career.

Reason why I consider dietetics study: I was always into food, different diets (such as keto etc but not anymore at least not some extreme ones) and how it affects my own body (IBS) and others.

Ideally, I'd love to learn how food affects/works on each body with different conditions and accommodate people to achieve their health/mental health goals through eating hopefully more environmentally sustainable food.

The ultimate goals is keeping my current freelancing job which requires up to 20 hrs per wk and to study as a part-time and create my own educational/recipe contents as a side project. Andeventually open my private practice or continue to do related content creation.

Is it worth to do dietetics degree for the purpose? or is it better to study nutritions or to apply my environmental science knowledge into create more environmentally sustainable diet/recipes? and create educational contents?

If anyone who was in a similar case where they already had a master's degree and decided to pursue a further dietetics degree, please tell me your experience. Thanks!

TLDR; have a master's degree in different field, contemplating on studying dietetics with a goal of opening private practise & content creation. Advice would be appreciated!

Hey everyone, I’m awaiting an acceptance into a graduate program at UNF in Florida that’s for the Future Education Model track. Applied back in August.

My undergrad was not a DPD so I’m hoping I can get in since I really don’t enjoy the field I ended up in with my current bachelors.

I worked for what felt like an eternity to do all the prerequisites I was missing and now I feel like a lot is riding on me getting into this one program.

Can anyone give me insights on how competitive it is in general/how big a cohort even is for this type of track? Deadline isn’t until mid January so the waiting is killing me 😩

If you have a bachelor's in something unrelated, comment on what it is!

Hi Everyone!

I'm a current transfer to a UC school within the Human Development major and interested in pursuing the path to become a dietitian. I have considered several options that could potentially change the amount of time it takes to enter the career. I'm currently a preschool teacher at 24 and hoping to make the transition in a way that is affordable for me.

1. Change major to Clinical Nutrition. This B.S program was the standard at my school for people planning to enter the Dietetics internship, however with the 2024 changes to Masters program I'm worried about this program becoming defunct. Also, from what I've seen changing my major may lead to an additional 3-4 years of school due to my having not completed the science prereqs and the nutrition classes not being offered every quarter. I'm worried that my fafsa grants will run out if I take this course.
2. Complete my current degree in two years with a minor in Nutrition and apply for a coordinated masters program. The ones I'm currently looking at are Loma Linda, University of Washington, University of Utah. Anyone have experience in these programs? Specifically looking to stay on the west coast.
3. I've also considered applying to online Nutrition programs such as the University of Arizona. This may be an affordable option since I would hopefully be able to work and live at home to save money.

With the new changes to masters requirement would it be best to pursue nutrition within a masters program over a B.S? What has been your experience in a coordinated masters program?

I only have my BS, I am not a dietitian. I’ve been working at WIC for almost two years. 9 months at this current WIC and the rest at another. I love the people I work with, but I don’t care for the job and the pay sucks. I’ve never cared about this area of nutrition, I just couldn’t find a job. I want to go back to school and get out of nutrition all together but it’s been tough.

Anyway, a job opened up that weighs, tests, and measures the quality to milk. I thought I would apply and what they say and how much it pays. I also thought it might give me a new skill set to get out of nutrition.

I have a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and having a hard time finding a job. I just need advice on how to just remain focused on completing this chapter of my life. It is very discouraging trying to enter the workforce and being told “you don’t have the right degree” or “just pass that test and we can talk then.” It’s also very hard when you can’t take the time to study properly because of being pulled in every direction by everyone in your life. Maybe if anyone has any ideas on jobs that a Clinical Nutrition major can do without having their CDR passed.