Dietetic Student Views on the Updated 2024 Graduate Degree Requirement: A Qualitative Study

This study aimed to explore dietetic students' opinions regarding the graduate degree requirement and to determine how many students plan on completing the requirements to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs).

An electronic cross-sectional survey was sent via email to dietetic program directors (N = 603) with the request to forward it to their current students. Open-ended answers were analyzed using a conventional content analysis. Pearson Chi-square tests of independence and Cramer's V tests were used to assess between-group differences based on gender, program type, and race/ethnicity.

Of respondents (N = 603), most (94%) planned to earn the RDN credential. Three categories of data were identified: individual considerations (e.g., future salaries, financial burden, time commitment); support and skepticism toward the graduate degree requirement; and the requirement's perceived impact on the dietetics profession. Most believed the change to educational requirements had beneficial aspects and planned on becoming RDNs.

Understanding current students' perspectives on the requirement change can help stakeholders address concerns and leverage the strengths identified. Future research could explore how these perceptions influence dietetic students' decisions over time.