Degree in Nutrition

Question
Hello Melissa,

I am a licensed acupuncturist considering getting a degree in nutrition. I am very interested in nutrients, amino acids, enzymes, phytonutrients, etc. & how I could apply this knowledge to assist future clients. I want a degree to allow my future clients to feel more comfortable with the advice I am giving them.

My questions are:
1. What collegiate level degree in nutrition,(master's, doctorate?),should a nutritionist earn in order to have their own solo office practice & to also charge clients a fee for their services?
2.How much of this nutrition education towards this degree could I acquire online or through distance learning and still arrive with an accredited college degree?
3.What seems to be the average annual incomes for self employed nutritionists at the various collegiate degree levels?

Thank you very much.

Mike Eidson, LAc.

Answer
Mike,
Generally registered dieticians have a four year degree, and their income is about 30-40,000 per year.
However, if your interest is in providing advice to acupuncture clients or as part of holistic health care, then you can pursue either more or less education, because there are no standards. Rather, it's about your own sense of professional ethics. How much education do you think you should have to feel comfortable giving advice?
Even most registered dieticians have a fairly simplistic understanding of nutrition; they know a lot about food, but they don't know much about human physiology, they aren't able to critically evaluate medical research, and they tend to make simplistic assumptions.
If you want to simply incorporate nutrition counseling into your existing acupuncture practice? It doesn't take a college degree to tell a Twinkie from a carrot... so go ahead and start doing some nutritional counseling right now. There's lots of information on the Internet and in the library that you can research on your own. Much of it has been simplified to the degree that the original meaning is distorted, but if you read critically, you should be able to educate yourself enough to provide counseling to clients. Recognize the limits of your knowledge, and when a person has specific needs (pregnancy, disease, diabetes) don't overstep your bounds-ask them to talk to their doctor.
As far as setting your patients at ease, since this field (other than registered dieticians) is not regulated, you can give yourself whatever title you want-just add "Nutritional Counselor" onto your door. Of course, your state might have additional requirements-check into it before you accidentally break any laws.

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