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Dietetic Technician Program Requirements

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Degree Requirements

This is a limited entry program. The Dietetic Technician Program Director will be responsible for the initial screening of applicants meeting minimum criteria and the final selection of students.

In order to enroll, the first-time student must:

Prior to entry into the Dietetic Technician Program, students must:

Prior to entry into the internships, students must:

  • Provide transcripts of grades earned in prerequisite courses, and verification of computer skills.
  • Provide proof of:
    • vaccinations (copy needed)
    • insurance (copy needed)
    • TB tests
    • background check
    • fingerprinting
  • Note: most sites require that background checks, fingerprinting and TB tests be performed onsite.
  • See Also: Supervised Practice Internship General Information

All sites differ; therefore, each student will meet with the DT Program Director prior to starting at a site to determine requirements.

Completing the Dietetic Technician Program

Track 1: Dietetic Degree - Associate of Science

Track 1 students take 16 credits of science prerequisites: Biology 190, Biology 223, Biology 224 and Biology 251. These courses may transfer to a four-year institution within the NSHE system.

Track 2: Students with a Four-year Degree

A student with a four-year didactic degree in nutrition from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) may qualify as a Track 2 student. To be considered for acceptance as a Track 2 student, please contact us.

The following conditions must be met, with documentation provided to the DT Program Coordinator:

  • Official copies of all transcripts
  • The original Statement of Verification issued from an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited four-year institution. The Statement of Verification must be for a didactic program in dietetics.
  • A minimum of two letters of recommendation from faculty, advisors or preceptors of their four-year program
  • To complete the program and be eligible to take the exam for registration for a Dietetic Technician, Track 3 students must complete three of the three-credit courses comprised of 450 hours of supervised work experience at a satisfactory level.

Transfer Degree - Dietetics Emphasis

This degree is for students seeking an Associate of Science Degree in Dietetics for transferring to a four-year institution.

Registration Advisement

Students will need to meet with an academic advisor and the program coordinator of the Dietetic Technician Program before or during each registration period of each semester or at any time when decisions concerning registration are made.

Advisors and the program coordinator are here to help students plan their academic programs, become familiar with the regulations of the college and department, and to provide information and guidance regarding the program.

Credentialing Process

Upon successful completion of all program requirements for each track, the student will meet with the Program Coordinator to receive a "Student Exit Packet", which includes the Verification Statement that is required to take the Registration Examination.

The student will submit to the Program Director the completed Application for Registration examination for Dietetic Technician at this time. This examination is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (The DT Director can provide additional information on this topic.)

Satisfactory completion of the examination provides for national registration as a Dietetic Technician or Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Graduation Requirements

Requirements for graduation include the following:

  1. Meet the course distribution requirements of the Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science Degrees at TMCC as defined in the TMCC College Catalog.
  2. Meet all graduation requirements as specified in the TMCC College Catalog for the appropriate year.
  3. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  4. Meet prerequisite course requirements for the DT Program with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
  5. Complete courses in the major occupational area (DT) with a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each course.
  6. Satisfy course requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree or Associate of Science degrees in Dietetic Technology for a total of 60–60.5 credits.
  7. Each student seeking an Associate Degree is required to submit to the Admissions and Records Office a completed Application for Graduation.

Educational and Professional Requirements

Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs), are trained in food and nutrition and are an integral part of health care and food service management teams.

NDTRs have met the following criteria to earn the NDTR credential:

  • Completed at least a two-year associate degree at a U.S. regionally-accredited college or university.
  • Completed a dietetic technician program, such as the Dietetic Technician Program at TMCC. These programs are approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and include 450 hours of supervised practice experience in various community programs, health care, and food-service facilities.
  • Passed a national, written examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
  • Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

College Course Work: The associate degree course work for Dietetic Technicians includes a variety of classes in food and nutrition sciences, food service systems management, and a range of general science courses.

Insurance Requirements

  • Medical Insurance: Before enrollment in the Supervised Practice Internships (NUTR 291, 292, 293), the student must show proof of medical insurance (this may be through a parent's or spouses' plan).
  • Travel Insurance: Students assume responsibility for accident liability to and from any off-campus activities such as field trips, professional meetings, or the Supervised Practice Internships.
  • Professional Liability Insurance: Professional liability insurance is not necessary while in the program.

Program Costs

Listed below are items that may be potential costs incurred by DT Program students; consult the current TMCC College Catalog for actual costs.

  • College application fee
  • Tuition fees
    • Per credit
    • Laboratory fees
  • Out-of-State tuition (if applicable)
  • Insurance costs
  • Lab fees
  • Medical tests
  • Fingerprinting and security check
  • Graduation application fee