Research the type of work you want to do as a dietician and find out what kind of degree will be most beneficial for you to reach your goals in your state. Often the easiest path is a dietetics program, but not all colleges and universities offer such a thing. Nutritional or biomedical science are other good study choices to become a dietitian.
Talk to an advisor about your career goals before choosing a school. Ask about internships, study programs and work experience opportunities. In many states, to get your license to practice as a dietician, you must have work experience that was gained while still in school.
Find a school that has the CADE stamp of approval. CADE, the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, is the American Dietetic Association's accrediting agency. Attending a school that has met its accreditation standards will ensure that you have the most up-to-date education and the most access to work experience programs that will help you with your licensure.
Apply for financial aid to help pay for classes, textbooks or equipment. The ADA Foundation is one option; it offers annual scholarships to junior level or higher student members who are in a CADE-accredited program.
Enroll in classes and complete your degree requirements. Every school will be different, but for the most part you'll be required to study and test in nutrition-based courses such as food storage and preparation, nutrient metabolism, human nutrition, and the role of food and nutrition in health and disease prevention.
Maintain a high GPA. Usually after graduation, you'll have to enroll in a six- to 12-month program in a facility where you'll gain work experience with the help of seasoned professionals. Acceptance to these programs is not guaranteed and will be based on a good GPA (generally a 3.0 or higher), volunteer and work experience activities, and faculty recommendations.
Earn your registration credentials by taking and passing a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Administration. Once you've passed this exam and finished your degree requirements, you're a registered dietitian.