Dietary Manager

Program Description

The Dietary Manager program is designed for those who have an interest in food service and cooking who seek advancement into management positions, especially in the healthcare field. Completion of this program qualifies one for employment in a long-term healthcare facility as a Dietetic Service Supervisor (DSS designation, State of California Department of Public Health). It also qualifies the graduate to apply for certification with the national Dietary Managers Association as a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) accredited by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals.

A Certificate of Achievement in Dietary Manager (Dietetic Service Supervisor) will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the major course requirements, including field work. The completion time for this certificate program is generally 3 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

Transcript and Course Evaluation

To confirm that courses taken outside of Peralta Community College District (PCCD) are equivalent to program course requirements, upon admission to the college, students should obtain an Initial Evaluation Request Form from the college’s Admissions and Records Office for courses completed at other colleges or universities.

Students who have satisfactorily completed courses at an accredited college or university must submit two (2) sets of official transcripts:

1. One set to Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Admission and Records Office, and one set to the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Merritt College.

2. It is not necessary to send transcripts for coursework completed in the Peralta Community College District.

Admission into the Dietary Manager (DM) Program

To receive the Dietary Manager Certificate of Achievement, students must have an active email account and complete all program requirements including NUTR 70A and NUTR 71A, the field placement/internship courses. Any student can take the NUTR 10, 12, 30, 31 and 32. However, students must go through the application process to be admitted into the CDM program which includes NUTR 70A and NUTR 71A which are both closed courses. (NUTR 71A is eligible for Credit for Prior Learning. To determine if prior work experience qualifies, the student must contact the Dietary Manager Program Director.)

To be admitted into the DM program, a student must:

1. Complete program prerequisite Nutrition and Dietetic Courses: NUTR 10, 12, 30, 31, and 32 with a grade of “C” or better before applying for the field placement/ internship. This coursework must be current and have been taken within the last seven (7) years.

2. Transcript evaluation: Upon admission to the college, students should obtain an Initial Evaluation Request Form from the college’s Admissions and Records Office for courses completed at other colleges or universities. Go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) website, www.eatright.org, for a list of agencies that are accepted to evaluate foreign transcripts for Nutrition and Dietetics.

3. Two sets of official transcripts from all colleges outside of the Peralta District must be on file: One set to the District Admission and Records Office, and one set to the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Merritt College. Coursework taken at a Peralta College is available already; therefore, it is not necessary to send transcripts for coursework completed in the Peralta Community College District.

4. Students who would like to enroll in NUTR 70A and 71A must attend a mandatory orientation meeting held at the beginning of May for the Fall semester and in December for the Spring semester. Admission applications are provided at this time. Students can also request admission application by contacting the DM program director.

5. Submit the following documentations to the DM Program Director: a completed application form including transcripts; certification of a recent (within 6 months) physical examination, TB screening, immunization history, and verification of a clear background check must be satisfactorily completed, at the student’s own expense. Students who are approved for Credit for Prior Learning for NUTR 71A course may be exempt from some of the documentation requirements.

6. Materials are reviewed by DM. If approved, students will be enrolled in NUTR 70A and 71A.

For more information about the CDM program and the application process contact the DM Program Director, meet with a counselor, or refer to the CDM Handbook.

Mandatory Additional Costs

Additional estimated costs for this program are:

Textbooks: $600

Background Screening: $65

CDM, CFPP Credentialing Exam Fee: $425

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities may include food service manager, first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers, food service director, dietary services' supervisor, and working alongside cooks in institutions and cafeterias. The Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), and the Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) work together with Dietary Technicians (DTRs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to provide quality nutritional care in a variety of non-commercial settings and perform a myriad of specialized tasks and roles within a food-service operation. With additional coursework and supervised practice hours, dietary manager students can advance to the role of a Registered Dietetic Technician. With an MS degree, students can follow the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian.

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Synthesize the knowledge and skills to pass the national Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) exam.
2. Communicate with staff and clients in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
3. Display effective dietary manager skills.
4. Provide and maintain the highest level of personal ethical behavior.
5. Utilize up-to-date, evidence-based practices in the field of dietary management.