Dietitian courses are concerned with a person’s diet and health. An academic curriculum for dietitians is structured in such a way that it enables the student to learn about diet, the human body, and various forms of food and their effects on the body.
These courses are available in both offline and online formats. Dietitian courses are typically offered in conjunction with Nutrition and Health Education at the university degree, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, as well as at the diploma and postgraduate diploma levels.
Programmes such as BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education, and others are offered by prominent institutions such as the University of Mumbai, Annamalai University, IGNOU, Himalayan University, and others.
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Eligibility Criteria for Dietetics/Dietitian
Dietetics courses are available at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma levels. Applicant dietetics certificate programmes are also available at some higher education institutions. Such programmes, on the other hand, are neither very detailed nor very beneficial.
Basic eligibility requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate dietetics studies are listed below:
UG courses: Students must have completed Class 12 in the Science stream with a grade point average of at least 50%.
PG courses: Students must have a minimum of a 50% aggregate in science as part of their graduation requirements.
Admission Process for Dietetics
The admissions process for the Dietetics programme is a merit-based and entrance-based system. The admissions procedure differs from one institution to the next. Candidates’ past academic records, such as Class 10, Class 12 Board exam (for bachelor level courses), and graduation or bachelor’s degree course records, are taken into account by institutions around the world that perform merit-based admission (for postgraduate level courses).
Candidates for the entry-based admission process must take the Dietetics entrance tests and pass them with the required cutoff marks. To complete the final admission procedure, qualifying students must go for counseling or assessment sessions.
Dietician Course Details
Dietician programmes come in a variety of formats, the most popular of which is a bachelor’s degree. However, a rising number of people are expressing interest in earning a diploma, master’s, or postgraduate diploma, with a small number of dedicated professionals pursuing higher research. Other dietary issues, such as nutritional sciences, food technology, metabolism, animal nutrition, and food science, are now being studied at dietetics departments around the world.
Types of Dietitian Courses
Dietitian programmes are available in a variety of formats, including Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees. For your convenience, the sections below will cover each of the programmes, as well as their qualification and other important qualifications.
Certificate Dietitian Courses
Dietitians can obtain a variety of certifications in both an online and offline format. After 12th grade, the majority of pupils are eligible to enroll online. Anyone who is open to learning more about the various aspects of health and nutrition or who wants to pursue it as a career option can enroll in the certificate courses.
- Dietitian Courses certificate programmes are specifically developed for a variety of individuals that wish to improve their fitness and health knowledge.
- The percent of web courses are short in duration and thus do not necessitate a large number of daily hours from you.
Online Dietitian Certificate Courses
The table below lists some of the best online Dietitian certificate Courses available 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 |
Offline Dietitian Course Certificate
Various institutions and training facilities provide Dietitian credentials through classroom instruction. Several institutions have different names for the courses, but they are all for Dietitians at the certificate level.
| 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 |
Colleges for Offline Dietitian Course Certificates
Below is a list of some of the best colleges that provide Certificate Dietitian Courses.
| 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 programmes typically last one year, while PG Diploma courses last two years. A diploma course can be undertaken after finishing class 12 (and in some situations, class 10), while a PG diploma or postgraduate diploma can only be pursued after college.
After completing diploma courses, the average pay is about INR 2- 8 LPA, and after completing a PG Diploma, it is around INR 3-10 LPA.
Top Diploma Dietitian Courses
The following are some of the most prominent diploma dietitian courses available in the field of computer technology.
| 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 |
Best Colleges for Diploma and PG Diploma Dietitian Courses
Below is a list of a few of the best colleges offering Diploma Dietitian Courses.
| 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
After completing 12th grade, students can pursue a bachelor’s degree or take several certificate or certification courses in relevant fields such as food and nutrition or health education. The programme lasts three years in full-time regular mode. It concentrates on Nutrition and Dietetics Science and presents students to the importance of a proper diet for humans, food management, elements of a healthy diet, food patterns and healthier lifestyles, and a variety of other topics.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Dietitian Courses
| 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 Entrance Exams
The table below lists the exams that are taken into account when applying for UG institutes in India.
| Entrance Exams | Conducting Body | Registration dates | Exam Dates | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUCET | GGSIPU ( IP university) | April-May | June | Online |
| BHU UET | Banaras Hindu University | To be announced | To be announced | Online |
| DUET | Delhi University | To be announced | To be announced | Online |
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 Programmes are typically undertaken by individuals seeking a career in school or obtaining a higher degree. This course is open to candidates who have completed a degree in a related discipline such as microbiology, food science, or life science.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Dietitian Courses
Following are the information of the best Dietitian Programmes in India after graduation.
| 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 Entrance Exams
The table below lists the examinations that are taken into account for admission to PG Dietitian Programmes in India.
| Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Exam Dates | Conducting Body | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEET PG | January- February 2021 | April 18, 2021 | National Board of Examination | Offline |
| DUET | To be announced | To be announced | Delhi University | Online |
Colleges for Postgraduate Dietitian Courses
The table below lists some of India’s leading colleges for pursuing Dietitian Programmes at the postgraduate 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 mostly studied for the objective of joining the research sector as well as to uncover endless opportunities and devices for improving people’s health and lifestyles.
Top PhD Dietitian Courses
The table below lists some of India ‘s most renowned PhD Dietitian Programs.
| 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 | Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and StudiesSharda University | INR 1,50,000 |
Doctorate Dietitian Courses Entrance Exam
| Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Exams Dates | Conducting Body | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UGC-NET | March-April 2021 | June 2021 | NTA | Online |
| NET | To be announced | To be announced | National Board of Examination | Online |
Colleges for Doctorate Dietitian Courses
The table below lists a few of the best institutions in India for doctorate-level dietetics programmes. Some colleges assist students with job placement and financial aid.
| 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
People who want to work in the industry of health and nutrition, namely as a dietitian, must have particular abilities that will help them succeed in the workplace. A couple of the most important specific skills for this profession are listed below.
| Analytical Skills | Communication Skills | Organizational Skills |
| Assessment Skills | Assertiveness | Assess Client’s Nutritional Status |
Carrer Scope for Dietetics
Individuals with a degree or diploma in dietetics have excellent job possibilities as the significance of keeping a healthy and balanced diet grows. Colleges, schools, academic institutions, private and government hospitals, yoga centers, government health departments, health clubs, fitness facilities, pharmaceutical companies, clinical services, food product manufacturing firms, and so on are all areas where specialists can work.
A few of the job roles that graduates of a dietetics programme can pursue include:
- A Clinical Dietician: A clinical dietician’s primary function is to give medical nutrition therapy to individuals in health-care settings.
- Pediatric Dietitian: A pediatric dietician works with children of all ages, including those with diabetes or obesity, to help them include a healthy and balanced diet.
- Sports Dietitian: A sports dietitian works with a variety of athletic groups and teams. Dieticians create meal regimens tailored to the individual demands of athletes, assisting them in maintaining their body weight and muscle mass while also monitoring their nutrition.
- Dietitian in the R&D Department: A dietician might also engage in the realm of research and development to verify that food products meet certain nutritional and quality requirements.
- Teacher: After acquiring the requisite qualifications, students engaged in the field of academics might opt to become teachers at the secondary school level or lecturers at the college level.
- Community Dietitian: A community dietician deals with huge gatherings of people to teach them about food nutrition and how to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Consultant Dietitian: A consultant dietician works under the supervision of a dietician and assists patients with food choices, menu planning, portion control, and other issues.
- Management Dietitian: A management dietician is in charge of business-related duties such as employe recruitment and training, as well as budget development.
Salary of a Dietitian
A dietitian’s average salary is INR 2,59,381 per payscale.
FAQ’s for Dietitian
Students with a degree or certification in dietetics have a wide range of professional options. Dietitian jobs can be found in both the public and private sectors, in locations like hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, NGOs, health clubs, fitness centers, sports centers, hotels, and pharmaceutical companies, among others.
The diploma courses are beneficial for individuals who desire to continue in food and nutrition as an initial degree from a different domain. They can continue their education by enrolling in UG and PG courses at a recognized university after receiving this diploma.
Certificate programmes for dietitians can last anywhere from three to six months. Online classes, on the other hand, can last anything from a few hours to several days.
It costs between 1,00,000 and 1,80,000 Indian rupees.