Career Preparation and Opportunities

Work as part of a health care team to coordinate medical and nutrition care in an inpatient or outpatient setting. A clinical dietitian relies on Medical Nutrition Therapy to prescribe appropriate nutrition for optimal patient outcomes. The RDN credential is needed to become a clinical registered dietitian.

Locations: Hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation facilities or other medical facilities

Apply evidence-based nutrition knowledge in exercise and sports settings as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who is a specialist in sports.

Locations: High schools, colleges and major sports organizations

Find your audience and promote your personal brand of nutrition guidance via social media platforms, blogging sites, or other online media outlets.

Locations: May work from anywhere with a secure internet connection

Use nutrition knowledge and behavior change techniques to promote health eating and strengthen motivation.

Locations: Private office, work from home or medical facilities

Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) typically work with patients as advanced practice clinicians. They work independently and as members of the maternal-child health team to manage clinical lactation concerns for mother, baby, and family units.

More information can be found on the IBLCE website

To learn more about becoming a lactation consultant, check out our IBCLC program here at MSU Denver

Research and government: (public policy, nutrition researcher, academia, government, sanitation/health inspector, food and nutrition regulatory affairs specialist, nutrition related food scientist,)

Wellness: (holistic nutrition, wellness coaching

Culinary and industry: (culinary arts, food and nutrition product development, food and nutrition quality control technician, food safety specialist, food industry positions)

Entrepreneurial 

MSU Denver Nutrition and Dietetics graduates are eligible to take the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) exam to earn the DTR credential.  Once you have graduated and received your DPD Verification Statement from MSU Denver, you may apply to take the exam.

Please provide the following to the DPD Director:

1. Complete the NDTRE and DTRE Misuse form and return the signed and dated document to your program director.
2. Please submit your official transcripts showing the degree has been completed. Your program director must have your original degree transcripts before they are able to submit your name for registration eligibility.
3. Verification Statement (no submission needed – on file with the DPD Director) – You will receive a minimum of five or six original Verification Statements (VS) upon completion of your program. These original VS forms are for you to provide, upon request, to prospective employers, the licensure board and to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for membership.

For more information you can also review the Commission on Dietetic Registration Instructions for applying for the DTR Exam.

Allocate adequate time to study.  Students are often surprised by the number of test questions focused on food service and food service management (~50% of the exam).  Our program is not designed to prepare you for this exam; it is designed to prepare you for the internship and RD exam.

Other graduates have recommended the following study resources: the “secrets” guide to the DTR by the company Mometrix and flashcards online via cram.com. The program has a copy of the Academy’s 6th Edition of the Study Guide for the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians (2011). You may review this guide, including a practice examination, in our office.

Also, it’s always helpful to check in with past graduates who have passed the exam through the Auraria Campus Student Dietetic Association Facebook page.