What is the difference between the Dietetics Major and the Nutrition Major?
Where can I go with a Dietetics degree? Where do dietitians/nutritionists work?
Du français à l'Université McGill?
Q: What is the difference between the Dietetics Major and the Nutrition Major?
The Dietetics Major is a professional program. It is 3.5 years (including two summer sessions), 115 credits program, and includes the equivalent of 40 weeks of internship. There is less choice or flexibility for courses in the Dietetics major, as compared to the Nutrition major, since students must fulfill competency obligations in all the 3 main domains of 1) Food Service systems management, 2) Clinical nutrition and 3) Community/population health. The degree BSc (Nutr Sc) in Dietetics Major, leads to eligibility to join a regulatory body in one of the provinces in Canada, and to be “registered” or “licensed” to practice. The purpose of regulatory bodies is to protect the public. In Quebec, the name of the regulatory body is the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec (OPDQ). Registered dietitians pay annual fees to be registered in one of the provinces, and these fees are used to ensure that the public has access to safe and competent nutrition professionals. In Quebec, both the title “dietitian” and “nutritionist” are reserved to be used only by persons who are registered/licensed by OPDQ. Once a dietitian is registered to practice in one province in Canada, under Canadian mobility laws they are eligible to apply to another province if they want to move. Dietitians need to be registered in the province which they wish to practice in.
The Nutrition Major is a 90-credit bachelor degree, which normally takes 3 years to complete (no summers) and has more flexibility or options to choose from for courses. The nutrition major is a great launching pad for students who are hoping to get into other professional or health science programs, or for graduate studies. Graduates from the nutrition major are well qualified to work in health science related industries, including sales, labs or research.
Q: Where can I go with a Dietetics degree? Where do dietitians/nutritionists work?
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As a clinical nutritionist/counsellor in health care settings
(42%, OPDQ 2000)- in medical or surgical units
- in nephrology, endocrinology and gastroenterology
- in oncology and immunology
- in geriatrics, etc.
You will assess the nutritional health of individuals and plan, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions as a member of the health care team.
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As a food service manager
(9.6% , OPDQ 2000)- in residential centres, hospitals, seniors' homes, prisons and schools
- in sports centres, cafeterias and companies
Organizing and managing the food system, from planning food purchase standards and nutritionally adequate menus to staff education, budget management and marketing will challenge your time and personnel management skills.
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As a community nutritionist
(10.3%, OPDQ 2000)- in a CLSC, school board, health club
- in community clinics
- in international settings
Teaching individuals and groups about meeting their specific nutrient needs and monitoring their nutrition wellness will be your main goal.
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As researchers and teachers
(6.2%, OPDQ 2000)
Dietitian-nutritionists capitalize on an advanced degree and study all the varied aspects of nutrition from the level of the cell to nutritional status of populations. -
As communications, public relations and marketing specialists
(4%, OPDQ 2000)
In food and nutrition with food companies and medical enterprises you will use your food and nutrition knowledge to promote specially formulated nutrition products, advocate on behalf of people with special nutrition needs, or develop educational materials for the public. -
In combination food and nutrition positions
(8.4%, OPDQ 2000)- in private practice
- in government
- in product development
- in public education
The dietitian-nutritionist is a food and nutrition consultant to physicians, food scientists, teachers, community workers and others, synthesizing nutrition science for application by the public.
Du français à l'Université McGill?
McGill est une université de langue anglaise à Montréal, Québec, Canada. Plusieurs des ressources sur le site principal de l'Université sont disponibles en français, mais la majorité des pages ne paraissent qu'en anglais.
La langue d'enseignement à McGill est l'anglais. Certains cours sont offerts en français. Chaque étudiant peut rédiger les compositions de fin de semestre, les examens, les thèses dans la langue de son choix, soit l'anglais ou le français, à l'exception des cours ou la connaissance d'une langue est un des objectifs du cours.
Les candidats ne sont pas requis de soumettre une preuve de compétence en anglais s'ils ont complété: et un secondaire V et un diplôme d'études collégiales au Québec, ou s'ils ont étudié 5 ans ou plus dans une institution où l'anglais est la langue première d'enseignement.
