Academy Urges U.S. Department of Education to Recognize Nutrition and Dietetics as a Professional Degree Program

March 4, 2026

CHICAGO - America's health care system relies on the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to prevent and manage disease, reduce avoidable health care costs and support the health and well-being of the public. However, the nation's ability to meet the growing demand for these essential health care providers will be limited and unable to meet the needs of Americans unless the U.S. Department of Education includes Nutrition and Dietetics as a professional degree program in its final regulations to ensure equitable access to federal student aid for future RDNs.

Nutrition and Dietetics is one of many professions impacted by the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. One of the provisions in this legislation only permits professions recognized as "professional" by the U.S. Department of Education to qualify for more federal student loan options.

"Nutrition and Dietetics clearly meets the Department's criteria for recognition as a professional degree program and should be treated consistently with other clinically oriented health professions," says 2025-2026 Academy President Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND.

The requirements to become an RDN, as outlined in comments submitted by the Academy to the U.S. Department of Education, include:

• Graduate level entry to practice. Effective January 1, 2024, eligibility to sit for the RDN registration examination requires a graduate degree, in addition to completing accredited coursework and supervised practice.
• Clinical and supervised training. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited programs integrate at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice as part of their training.
• Licensure/regulation. Almost all states — 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico — require licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, further reflecting the field’s regulated, patient-care scope.

"Student loan policy is health care workforce policy," says Brandstetter. "If Nutrition and Dietetics is not recognized as a professional degree program, access to required graduate education and supervised practice will become more limited. That means fewer future RDNs entering the workforce and reduced access to critical nutrition care services at a time when prevention and chronic disease management have never been more important."

The Academy urges the Department to finalize regulations that explicitly recognize Nutrition and Dietetics as a professional degree program, strengthening the nation’s health care workforce and expanding access to evidence-based nutrition care.

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About the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, representing more than 112,000 credentialed practitioners. The Academy is committed to improving global health and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics through research, education and advocacy.