Dietitian Courses deal with an individual’s diet and health. An academic course in Dietitian is designed in a way that it prepares the individual to acquire knowledge related to diet, human body, about different types of food and their effect on the body. In this day and age, a dietician's job is not limited to providing medical advice. It has evolved into a scientific discipline closely related to medical research and study, and as a result, there are now a plethora of Dietetics And Nutrition courses available.
A dietician is a qualified healthcare professional who makes dietary recommendations based on extensive research of the individual. Individuals who require dietary advice are typically those with medical conditions, trauma and accident survivors, military veterans, and so on. Furthermore, dietitians collaborate with policymakers and other industry stakeholders on issues such as food research, food quality, diseases, drugs and medicines, and so on. Some of the top colleges such as University of Mumbai, Annamalai University, IGNOU, Himalayan University etc offer courses such as BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education etc.
Admissions to these courses are done on the basis of merit, however for postgraduate degree one has to sit for entrance exams such as PUCET, BHU UET, DUET etc. Students can also choose to pursue online Dietitian courses from various portals like Alison, Coursera etc.
Each university and institution has its own fee structure. Fees are also determined by the course and level of study. Dietician courses at the certificate/diploma level range between 1,00,000 and 5,00,000 INR. Undergraduate degree programmes range in price from 400,000 to 100,000 INR. Postgraduate courses will cost between $500,000 and $800,000 in total.
2.1.1 Admission Process
2.1.2 Top Colleges
2.2.1 Admission Process
2.2.2 Entrance Exams
2.2.3 Top Colleges
2.3.1 Admission Process
2.3.2 Top Colleges
2.4.1 Admission Process
2.4.2 Top Colleges
All About Dietitian Courses
A Dietician course can be completed in a variety of ways, the most common of which is a bachelor's degree. However, an increasing number of people are showing interest in pursuing a diploma, master's, or postgraduate diploma degree, with a small number of motivated individuals pursuing higher research as well. Dietetics departments around the world are now focusing on other dietary aspects such as nutritional sciences, food technology, metabolism, animal nutrition, and food science, to name a few.
- The duration of these courses varies from level to level. It is from 3 to 4 years at graduate level, 2 years at postgraduate level and 1 year in case of diploma courses.
- Certificate programs related to the Nutrition, Health and Diet can be of a few hours and can even run up to 1 year. Many online platforms offer Dietitian Courses with zero fees also.
- After completing the graduation or post graduation in any related course of nutrition, one can become a Clinical Dietician, Pediatric Dietician, Consultant etc.
- An average salary of INR 3 to 5 LPA, one can easily expect to have from different recruiting companies.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 5,000 - 2,00,000
Dietitian Courses After 12th
There are numerous courses available to you immediately following the 12th grade. The majority of the courses are in-demand diploma and certificate programmes. Here is a list of the best dietitian courses available after the 12th grade:
- Food Science and Nutrition Diploma
- Nutrition and Health Education Diploma
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Diploma
- BSc Nutrition and Dietetics Diploma in Nutrition and Food Technology
Types of Dietitian Courses
Dietitian Courses are offered through various programmes such as Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral programmes. Below mentioned section will discuss each of the programmes along with their eligibility and other crucial prerequisites for your reference. A dietetics programme is a multidisciplinary study programme. It is typically taught alongside a number of Health and Medicine-related disciplines. The core curriculum is usually completed in the first year, with more advanced topics of a Dietician course spread out over the next two to three years.
Physiology, Foundational Mathematics, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and some essential Social Sciences topics such as Health and Society, Population, and so on are taught as part of the core curriculum during a Dietician course, in addition to Chemistry and Biology. The knowledge gained from studying the aforementioned subjects is critical to understanding the fundamentals of the human body and the science behind it.
Certificate Dietitian Courses
There are various certificates available for dietitians through both online and offline mode. Most students are eligible after 12th to enroll them through online mode. The certificate courses can be opted by anyone who is either interested to know about the dimensions of health and nutrition or want to pursue it as a career opportunity.
- Certificate programs of Dietitian Courses are specially designed for different professionals who want to enhance their skills on fitness and health.
- Most of the online courses are of less duration and thus do not demand a lot of daily hours from you.
Online Dietitian Certificate Courses
The table below shows some of the best Dietitian certificate Courses available online on different platforms.
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Introduction to Food and Health | Coursera (Stanford University) | 7 hours | Free |
| The New Nordic Diet- From Gastronomy to Health | Coursera (University of Copenhagen) | 7 hours | Free |
| Introduction to Human Nutrition | Alison (Brian Lindshield) | 1.5- 3 hours | Free |
| Meal Planning, Sanitation and Therapeutic Nutrition | Alison (NPTEL) | 1.5- 3 hours | Free |
| Full Scientific Nutrition and Dietitian Masterclass | Udemy | 2 hours | INR 455 |
| Nutritional Therapy- How food affects DNA and much more! | Udemy | 2 hours | INR 455 |
Other key programs include Courses on fitness, Health nutrition, Obesity or on other health issues etc.
Offline Dietitian Course Certificate
Many institutes and training centers provide certificates through classroom methods of teaching on Dietitian. The courses are named differently in different colleges but are all for Dietitians at certificate level.
Though the list of such courses is also endless, the table is showing courses available at some of the colleges:
| Name of the Courses | Name of the Colleges | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course in Food Nutrition & Health | Mumbai University | 3 months | INR 5000 |
| Certified Course in Food and Nutrition | Annamalai University IGNOU Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University | 1 Year | INR 1,500 |
Certificate Dietitian Courses: Admission Process
Admissions in the computer certificate courses are done on the basis of Merit based on previous results of 12th or graduation. There are some institutes and colleges who do conduct entrance examinations for admission.
- Enrollment in online certificate programs is simply done by applying on the website of the course provider.
- Some institutes may have a personal interview after the test or after selection through merit.
- Some of the institutions may have a preference for Students who are from science backgrounds as they have a prior understanding of food, health and nutrition.
Colleges for Offline Dietitian Course Certificates
Some of the top colleges offering Certificate Dietitian Courses are tabulated below,
| Name of the Colleges | Location |
|---|---|
| Mumbai University | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Annamalai University | Tamil Nadu |
| IGNOU | New Delhi |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University | Telangana |
| Nalanda University | Bihar |
| Maulana Azad University | Jodhpur |
| Himalayan University | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Amrapali Institute of Applied Science | Uttarakhand |
| Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy | Maharashtra |
Diploma in Dietitian Courses
Diploma courses are mostly of 1 years and PG Diploma courses are of 2 years. While a diploma course can be pursued after completing class 12 (class 10 also in some cases), a PG diploma or post graduate diploma is pursued after completing graduation.
- Diploma courses focus on promoting awareness on principles and concepts in nutrition and health education. Students develop their knowledge and skills in areas like public health and nutrition.
- PG Diploma courses focuses on
- After this, one can either join a company in a professional job or can further go for higher studies at UG or PG courses.
The average salary after diploma courses is around INR 2- 8 LPA and after PG Diploma, it is around INR 3-10 LPA.
Candidates who are interested in Nutrition and Public Health services are suitable for this course or they are skilled with some technical skills, problem-solving skills.
Top Diploma Dietitian Courses
Some of the popular diploma dietitian courses which can be pursued in the field of computer science are given below.
| Name of the Course | Name of the Institute | Average Fess |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Nutrition and Health Education | VLCC Institute Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University | INR 27,700 |
Diploma courses are also provided by some of the online providers like Alison for Health and Nutrition.
Also Check: Diploma in Food and Nutrition
Top PG Diploma Dietitian Courses
PG Diploma courses are pursued after one has completed his or her graduation or some diploma course. Both should be in the related field only.
Some of the top PG Diploma Dietitian Courses in India are given below.
| Name of the Course | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences St.Teresa’s College J.D.Birla Institute | INR 51,000 | 2 years |
Diploma and PG Diploma Dietitian Courses: Admission Process
Admission for diploma and PG Diploma courses are generally done on the basis of merit. The merit score cutoff list is released by the concerned college after the registration is done.
- For the Diploma courses, merit of Class XII score (12th score should be of minimum of 60% marks in aggregate) is considered.
- Some of the institutions may have conducted personal interviews for selection.
- For PG Diploma courses admission is based on Graduation result and preference is given to the students who have completed some diploma or certificate course from the same background.
- Some of the private institutions may have some different selection criteria based on interview and past work experiences as well.
Top Colleges for Diploma and PG Diploma Dietitian Courses
Some of the top Colleges for Diploma Dietitian Courses are tabulated below,
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Ruxmaniben Deepchand Gardi Medical College | Ujjain |
| 8.0 | Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University | Allahabad |
| 7.5 | Maharishi Markandeshwar University | Ambala |
| 7.1 | Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University | Kota |
| - | Sarvodaya College of Technology and Management | Uttar Pradesh |
| 8.5 | St.Teresa’s College | Ernakulam |
| 7.5 | J.D.Birla Institute | Kolkata |
| 7.3 | Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences | Allahabad |
| 7.0 | Institute of Home Economics | Delhi |
Bachelor Dietitian Courses
Bachelor degree is opted after 12th or after some certificate or diploma courses in related courses like food and nutrition, Health Education. Course is of 3 years through full-time regular mode. It focuses on the field of Nutrition and Dietetics Science and introduces its students with the need of having a proper diet for people, food management, components of a balanced diet, eating habits and lifestyle management and many other topics as well.
- The science stream students are eligible for these courses.
- Admissions in most of these courses are done on the basis of merit generated by Institutions and somewhere entrance exams of national as well as state levels are also considered.
- These courses provide students with proper foundation learning through rigorous classroom programs.
Students after this can opt for a professional job as Nutrition, Dietitian, Food Quality Manager, Area Business Manager or can further opt for M.Sc or Ph.D in Dietitian.
Graduates of Dietitian Courses can expect an average salary of INR 3-8 LPA in the beginning. This depends on the skills they have earned and also on the college they are graduating from.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Dietitian Courses
The table shows some of the colleges providing courses at UG level.
Also Check: BSc Nutrition and BSc Food Science and Nutrition
| Name of the Courses | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Nutrition and Dietetics | Chandigarh University RVS College of Arts and Science Lovely Professional University | INR 3,14,000 |
Bachelor Dietitian Courses: Admission Process
Admissions in bachelor Dietitian Courses are done through both entrance exams as well as merit lists.
- Some of the entrance exams for UG Dietitian Courses include DUET, IPU CET, and AIMA UGAT.
- Otherwise, for merit based admission, candidates should have completed 12th from science stream with an average marks of 50% in aggregate from a recognized board.
Bachelor Dietitian Courses Entrance Exams
The table below gives details of exams considered for admission for UG Courses in India.
| Entrance Exams | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| PUCET | Click Here |
| BHU UET | Click Here |
| DUET | Click Here |
Colleges for Bachelor Dietitian Courses
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh |
| 99 | Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
| 151 | Shoolini University | Himachal Pradesh |
| - | Mount Carmel College | Karnataka |
| - | RVS College of Arts and Science | Tamil Nadu |
Postgraduate Dietitian Courses
Master Dietitian Courses are generally pursued by those students who are interested in pursuing a career in the educational field or for higher qualification. Students graduated from any related field like Microbiology, Food Science, Life Science etc are eligible for this course.
- The duration of PG Dietitian Courses is 2 years in most of the cases through full time regular mode.
- Master course for Nutrition and Dietetics covers topics related to the Fundamentals of Nutrition, Food Microbiology, Nutritional Management, Diet Therapy etc.
- Admissions here also are majorly done through entrance exams.
Even those students who are looking to enter the research field should opt for master Dietitian Courses as they are compulsory to pursue a PhD course.
The average salary of master Dietitian Courses graduates in India is INR 4-12 LPA and professionally works as a Dietician or Nutritionists in Hospitals, Public Health Organizations etc.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Dietitian Courses
Given below are details of top Dietitian Courses after graduation in India.
| Course Names | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Nutrition and Dietetics | Osmania University College for Women Chandigarh University St. Teresa’s College | INR 35,560 | 2 year |
Postgraduate Dietitian Courses: Admission Process
Admissions in master courses are alone through both merit and entrance exams.
- NIMS provides admission on the basis of merit released by the university.
- Candidates need to have completed their bachelors in a relevant subject of science along with 50% marked to be eligible for master Dietitian Courses.
- Certain colleges also provide admission on the basis of graduation in some other science field and certificate or diploma in food dietetics or related subject.
Colleges for Postgraduate Dietitian Courses
The table below shows some of the best colleges in India to pursue Dietitian Courses at the PG level.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration | Manipal |
| 8.6 | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh |
| 8.5 | St. Teresa’s College | Kerala |
| 8.3 | Osmania University College for Women | Telangana |
| 7.8 | NIMS University | Jaipur |
Doctorate Dietitian Courses
Doctorate in Dietitian Courses is chiefly pursued for the purpose of entering the research field and also to discover the new possibilities and devices for a better health management and lifestyle for people.
- The minimum duration of these programs is 2 years, but it can be extended according to demands of research.
- The course primarily focuses on food, nourishment, nutrition, diet and their production, management, safeguarding, preservation etc.
- After PhD, students also get the option to become Teachers and Lecturers in some colleges.
The average salary after doctorate courses is around INR 2-12 LPA in India. Different recruiting companies like Amul, Dabur India, MTR foods limited, Britannia Industries Ltd, PepsiCo India Holdings, Nestle India Pvt. Ltd. and many more are interested in hiring students from this course.
Top PhD Dietitian Courses
The table below shows some of the popular PhD Dietitian Courses in India.
| Course Name | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Food and Nutrition | Tamil Nadu Agriculture University Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University Punjab Agricultural University | INR 50,000 |
| PhD Nutrition & Dietetics |
|
INR 1,50,000 |
Doctorate Dietetics Courses: Admission Process
Admissions in doctorate courses in India are mainly done through entrance exams.
- Some of these include CBSE UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, JRF, etc.
- After the entrance test, a personal interview is also conducted by some of the institutions for selection.
Students need to have a master’s degree in a related field in order to be eligible for doctorate Dietitian Courses.
Doctorate Dietitian Courses Entrance Exam
| Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Exams Dates | Conducting Body | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UGC-NET | To be Announced | To be Announced | NTA | Online |
| NET | To be Announced | To be Announced | National Board of Examination | Online |
Colleges for Doctorate Dietitian Courses
The table below shows some of the best colleges in India to pursue Dietitian courses at the doctorate level. Some of the colleges do provide placement and financial aid to their students.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | University of Calcutta | Kolkata |
| 34 | Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai |
| 63 | Amity University | Noida |
| 79 | Banasthali University | Jaipur |
| 81 | Pondicherry University | Pondicherry |
Skills Required for Dietitian Courses
Individuals who are interested in working in the field of Health and Nutrition and mainly as a Dietitian should have some skills that help them to work in the professional world. Tabulated below are few of the top skill sets for this field,
| Analytical Skills | Communication Skills | Organizational Skills |
| Assessment Skills | Assertiveness | Assess Client’s Nutritional Status |
Scopes for Dietitian Courses:
With the increasing importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, Medical institutions, health organizations need candidates who are possessed with degrees related to Diet and health. Professionals can work in research institutes, Medical and healthcare departments, yoga etc.
Below we have discussed some of the common and popular job roles after this course, their average salary and what skills the employers seek.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Dietitian | Clinical Dietician is responsible for providing medical nutritional therapies to patients. They create proper nutritional programmes based on the health requirement of patients and then guide them on how to obtain a healthier and balanced routine in life. | 3 - 7 LPA |
| Pediatric Dietitian | A pediatric Dietician works with children of all age groups and with those who are suffering from diabetes or obesity or any other health related problem. They help to add a balanced and nutritious diet according to age and need of the child. They can counsel the children or their parents to maintain the routine everyday. | 5 - 11 LPA |
| Professor | After the degree courses, one can further opt to remain in the research field after completing their Ph.D and continue to work on new dimensions of food and diet and how a balanced lifestyle is possible with their everyday working. | 3 - 6 LPA |
| Management Dietitian | A Management Dietician is responsible for performing all business related tasks on providing training, hiring workers and estimating the budget that is possible to work on a project. These dieticians are generally found in cafeterias, hospitals and schools. | 4 - 6 LPA |
| Sports Dietitian | Sports Dietician works with sports personalities and make their diet plans as per the specific needs of that personality and help them to maintain their body weight and muscles along with keeping a check on their nutritional levels as well. | 4 - 6 LPA |
How to Become a Dietician?
Dietetic associations govern the profession of dieticians all over the world. Because a dietician is an important component of the food and health system, policymakers and dietary experts who are members of these dietary bodies set and enforce quality maintenance standards. The Registered Dietician (RD) certification is required to practise as a certified dietician. A post-graduate level dietician course with some dietary experience in hospitals is usually recommended. The Indian Dietetic Association awards the RD certification in India.
Dietitian Courses: FAQs
Ques. What is the responsibility for a Food Scientist?
Ans. A Food Scientist is responsible for using chemistry and other sciences to study and analyze the nutritional content of food, research ways to make processed foods safe and healthy and discover new food sources.
Ques. How the diploma courses are helpful for dieticians?
Ans. The diploma courses are helpful for those students who want to pursue the field of food and nutrition from a different domain as an initial degree. After this diploma, they can further opt for UG and PG courses from a recognized university.
Ques. What is the duration of a Certificate Course?
Ans. Duration of certificate courses for Dietitians can be of 3 months to 6 months generally. But through online modes, courses can be of few hours to days.
Ques. What is the course content for Diploma Courses in Nutrition and Dietetics?
Ans. The course content for the Diploma course includes Food Science, Diet Therapy, and Nutrition through development stages, Nutraceutical and functional foods, Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Nutritional Biochemistry, Clinical Nutrition and other related topics.
Ques. What is the average salary after completing a Nutrition course?
Ans. The average salary after completing a Nutrition course is around INR 2 to 15 LPA which may differ from company to company and also depends on the degree that the candidate has.
Ques. Is there any placement opportunity after this Dietitian courses?
Ans. Yes, there are private universities like Manav Rachna, Sharda and many more that provide placements opportunities in different recruiting companies like in NPA, CSNN, Tech Connex, Markham Board of Trade etc.
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