For the most flexibility, job opportunities and respect, a nutritionist consultant should earn American Dietetic Association (ADA) certification. These designations are the industry standard, and most nutritionist jobs require them. The highest designation is the registered dietitian (RD) designation. This requires a bachelor's or master's degree from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) accredited institution. The ADA grants the CADE accreditation. After completing the degree, you must take the registration examination to become a registered dietician. Didactic programs provide course work that leads to a bachelor's or master's degree, then graduates apply for and complete a separate internship before taking the exam. The coordinated programs include a supervised internship, so graduates can sit immediately for the exam.
To earn a dietetic technician, registered (DTR) designation, the applicant needs to complete an associate degree that includes all requirements for a DTR. The program must be accredited or approved by CADE. After completing the degree, an applicant sits for the DTR exam. If he passes the exam, he receives the DTR credentials.
In 2011, there were 53 institutions accredited for CADE coordinated programs in dietetics. Two offered fully online options for completing the course work. There are 20 programs that lead to graduate degrees. All require a supervised practice as demanded by the ADA guidelines. The requirements for the supervised practice are 1,200 hours of experience, and all accredited institutions either require 1,200 hours or will by the time of their next accreditation review. In 2011, there were 226 didactic programs, with two colleges offering distance education options. Eight of the 226 offered a graduate degree. Those who complete a didactic program will need to find an internship and complete the internship before sitting for the RD exam.
The associate programs for DTR students are often offered at community colleges. Proprietary private schools also offer the degree. There are 49 schools in the U.S. offering the accredited associate degree that allows students to sit for the DTR exam.
There are other colleges, technical colleges and schools offering degrees in food sciences, nutrition and dietetics. These degrees can lead to some jobs, or a person with one of these degrees may open a private nutritionist consulting practice. However, for most nutritionist consulting jobs, you'll want to have ADA certification.