I'm currently a high school teacher. Recent changes in our administration coupled with other statewide education factors have me thinking about a career change. I'm very interested in becoming a nutritionist and trying to get a job with a bariatric surgeon so I can help people that have had issues with weight like me. I think this would be a great career path for me because I could use my skills as a teacher, writer and public speaker that I have gained for 14 years of teaching English, speech and journalism.

I've done some research and it looks like there are some online masters programs out there that I could work on while still teaching. My question for anyone in the field is what specifics should I look for in an online program in nutrition? Any help or advice would be deeply appreciated.

I'm not a dietician yet but to become a registered dietician you need to complete both the theory portion and the internship. Or you could take a coordinated dietetics program. Not sure about the online options but definitely the clinical hours are in person. Sometimes the online degrees have you arrange your own clinical experience which can be difficult. I know this is the case for some nurse practioner programs.

The prereqs involve a lot of chemistry and A&P with lab components so IDK if they can be taken online or not.

Check the eatright.org for more info.

http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/content.aspx?id=8092