Only because I’ve received two emails in the last 12 hours asking about the schooling process to become an RD and NOT because I think I’m some kind of expert on becoming an RD (I just started, remember?), I decided to share some insider info on what to do if you’ve soul searched and realized that this is the career for you. (Or if, like me, you soul searched and realized that you think this is the career for you and can’t figure out anything else to do with your food obsession. Take a chance!)

A year ago, I was in a straight up panic about the process I’m about to share with you. Partly because it’s kind of overwhelming (at first) and mostly because the ADA’s website and most university program websites are impossible to decipher. Though programs at different schools will vary, the ADA’s standards for accreditation do not. Therefore, (as far as I know) the common denominators for all programs are as follows…

So you want to be an RD? First you must…

• Have a bachelor’s degree – In anything. For example, my bachelor’s degree is in Spanish. Not relevant (unless I decide to work in a hospital in which case it’s incredibly relevant for translation and I expect double the pay; take note, future employers). Before I started my program, I hadn’t had chemistry since I was 15. It’s fine. You’ll be fine.
• Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) – Smart cookies who decide they want to be dietitians waaay back in high school will most likely complete this as part of their bachelor’s degree in nutrition. For the rest of us who were too busy plotting to move to Spain and marry a flamenco dancer, we have some catching up to do. Don’t panic: there’s chemistry involved. If you’re really curious, I’ll send you the list of 26 undergrad courses I have to take to complete the DPD. They run the gamut from psychology, biology and chemistry to accounting (WTF?), statistics (kill me now) and, of course, nutrition. My advice is to 1) decide where you want to go to school, 2) get into that school, 3) ask an advisor to let you know which classes at your state’s tech colleges will transfer credit to the program, 4) get busy crossing those classes off your list. Tech schools are a million dollars cheaper than 4-year universities. I have taken 6 of my DPD classes at a tech college (5 of them online, EASY DO THAT). If you don’t want to take classes before your program starts, you might not need to anyway. I didn’t need to, but I want to be done with this degree yesterday. Some schools do require pre-reqs. So check on that. Otherwise, just wait it out until your first day of school. You’ll just be there longer.
• Complete a Dietetic Internship – This is not just any ol’ internship you can swing by asking your dad to let you shadow his dietitian friend. It’s an intensive, hands-on, long(ish)-term program (varies from 6 months to a year at most schools) that will give you experience in the field. I’ve seen some paid (out in CA), others are not. You can apply to an appropriate DI at any school of your choice; it does not have to be through your primary school of study. For example, my university isn’t offering another DI until Fall 2012. If I’m done with my classes before then, I’ll apply elsewhere. Probably California because I can’t get it out of my head. Or Texas. Mmmm… Austin. You do have to apply and you do have to get accepted. Being an awesome person won’t cut it. Volunteer, work in a related field and get good grades. It’s competitive.
• Pass the RD exam – When you’re done with your DI, you will have the opportunity to sit for the RD exam. My university has a 100% pass rate on the first try. This makes me happy. If you don’t pass, you can take it again as many times as you need to.
• OPTIONAL: Complete a masters degree – You do not have to have a masters to become a dietitian, but all the RDs I’ve talked to recommend getting it. I am working on my masters and DPD simultaneously. I’m taking four classes this semester – 3 are undergrad, 1 is graduate.

That’s it. I have every intention of being an RD by (or before) the spring of 2013. I expect my Masters to be done by then, as well. I took my first class on this adventure in January of this year. So all in all, a 2.5-year commitment. I gave the kids of Laguna Beach and The Hills more of my life than that. It’s not such a big deal. Do it!

Additional Resources:

Search by state for universities with a CADE accredited DPD here.

Search by state for Dietetic Internships here.

Join the ADA (as a student for $50) here.

Email me at sweettaterblog@gmail.com