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New York Health Careers

Dietitians and Nutritionists

What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Do?

Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve specific health-related goals.

Dietitians and nutritionists try to prevent health problems and aim to treat health problems by helping people develop better eating habits. They often work with patients who have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, eating disorders, or are overweight. They may plan diet programs, conduct nutritional assessments, direct menu development, manage food service systems, supervise meal preparations, and provide nutritional counseling.
For more details, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm.

Where Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Work?

Dietitians and nutritionists may work as clinicians, managers, researchers, or consultants and are found in a variety of settings. Over half work in hospitals and nursing homes, while others work in health clinics, home health agencies, doctors’ offices, schools, health clubs, cafeterias, and private practices.

What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Earn?

According to the 2019 BLS, the average salary for full time, dietitians and nutritionists nationwide was $124,660, varying by specialty and geographic region. Average annual salary also varies greatly across New York State, depending on location. The NYSDOL reports that dieticians and nutritionists in New York earned an average annual salary of $68,590, (entry level-$47,930, experienced- $91,890).

Supply and Demand

The number of dietitians and nutritionists nationwide is projected to increase more than 14.6% between 2016 and 2026, and more than 21.3% in New York in the same time period.

This increase is attributable in part to the increasing awareness of the relationship between diet and health and the importance of diet in preventing and treating illnesses and the role of food in promoting health and wellness. The importance of diet in preventing and treating illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease is now well known, and more dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for people with these conditions. An aging population also will increase the need for dietitians and nutritionists in nursing homes. Job opportunities are also expected to increase in community health centers, physicians’ offices, and home health agencies. An increasing number of dietitians and nutritionists are expected to be self-employed. Fewer new jobs are expected at hospitals.

For more information on employment projections of dietitians and nutritionists by New York State labor regions, 2014-2024, click here.

New York Education and Licensure Requirements

Dietitians and nutritionists in New York and nationally usually have at least a bachelor’s degree. In New York, it is possible to be certified as a dietitian and nutritionist with an associate degree from an accredited educational program and more time in an approved work experience. However, most New York educational programs offer bachelor’s or advanced degrees. All accredited dietitian and nutritionist education programs include coursework in professional dietetics and nutrition as well as human biology and behavioral science. For more information, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/diet/.

Dieticians and nutritionists who practice in New York must be certified by one of the two national certifying organizations. Requirements include graduating from an accredited educational program and completing an approved work experience. For more information, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/diet/dietlic.htm.

Recertification every five years by one of the two national certifying organizations requires the completion of a specific number of continuing education credits.

Financial Support

The American Dietetic Association offers scholarships and financial aid to students studying to become dietitians and nutritionists. For more information, go to: https://eatrightfoundation.org/why-it-matters/awards/ and https://www.eatrightpro.org/membership/student-member-center/scholarships-and-financial-aid

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914) 606-6600
Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
(718) 951-5000
Buffalo State – SUNY
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 878-4000
Columbia University
Teacher’s College

525 West 120th St
New York, NY 10027-6696
(212) 678-3950
Cornell University
410 Thurston Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-2247
D’Youville College
320 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 829-8000
Hunter College
695 Park Ave
NY, NY 10065
(212) 772-4000
Lehman College – CUNYLehman College250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 960-8000
Long Island University
C.W. Post Campus
720 Northern Boulevard
Brookville, NY 11548
(516) 299-2000
LaGuardia Community College -CUNY 
31-10 Thomson Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101-3007
(718) 482-5973 or (718) 482-5740
New York University
Steinhardt Dept of Nutrition & Food Studies
411 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-5580
Russell Sage College
65 1st Street
Troy, NY 12180
and
140 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 244-2000
Rochester Institute of Technology
College of Health Sciences and Technology
One Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 475-2411
SUNY Oneonta
Also have online MS Degree
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
(607) 436-3500
Plattsburgh- SUNY
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 564-2000
Syracuse University
900 South Crouse Ave
Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 443-1870
Queens College- CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
(718) 997-5000
New York Chiropractic College
School of Health Sciences & Education
2360 State Rte 89
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
(800) 234-6922
Bronx Community College
2155 University Ave
Bronx, NY  10453
(718) 289-5100
SUNY Morrisville
80 Eaton St
Morrisville, NY 13408
(315) 684-6000
Stony Brook University
101 Nicolls Rd
Stony Brook, NY  11794
(631) 689-8333
Nassau Community College
One Education Dr
Garden City, NY  11530
(516) 572-7501
Adelphi University 
1 South Ave
Garden City, NY 11530
(800) 233-5744
Niagara County Community College
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd
Sanborn, NY 14132
(716) 614-6222
NY Institute of Technology (NYIT) 
Online only
(800) 345-6948
University at Buffalo
12 Capen Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 646-2000
Canisius 
2001 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14208
(718) 883-7000
Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Ave
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 381-1200
   

Additional Web Links

The Commission on Dietetic Registration: http://www.cdrnet.org/

The Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists: http://cbns.org/

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