Nutrition and Dietetic Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nutrition and Dietetic Technology is a degree that emphasizes medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition and food service management. Students acquire the knowledge and skills foundation to work in dietetics through the integration of classroom learning and 466 hours of supervised practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of communication and human relations techniques that prepare the graduate for professional success. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) Examination by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Job Description: The Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) is prepared to play a key role in providing quality, cost-effective client care and food service management in a variety of employment settings. Job responsibilities may include patient counseling and education in Medical Nutrition Therapy, medical record documentation, health promotion and disease prevention, menu development, and management skills related to nutrition services and institutional food production.

Opportunities: NDTRs are an integral part of healthcare and food service management teams. They work independently or in partnership with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in a variety of settings: acute and long term care facilities, community health programs, senior centers, home health care programs, school lunch programs, WIC programs, fitness and wellness centers, and weight management clinics.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Nutrition and Dietetic Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3840
Total credits required
65-82
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn
  • Apply concepts and principles of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry in the practice of Dietetic Technology. (FON241, FON241LL, FON242, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON250, BIO160, CHM130, CHM130LL, CHM130AA, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Explain nutrition and anatomy and physiology principles as they apply to health promotion, disease prevention, and sports performance. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, FON210, FON241, FON241LL, FON242, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON246AA, FON246AB, FON247, FON250, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Demonstrate use of computer operations and software applications in business. (BPC110, CIS105, FON244AA, FON244AB, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON250, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Practice food safety and sanitation, menu planning, procurement, inventory, and quality control principles in food service operations. (FON142AB, FON207, FON244AA, FON244AB, FON250, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Promote health and wellness by collaborating with dietetic professionals using appropriate medical terminology in private and public health care delivery systems and regulatory agencies. (FON125, FON242, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON246AA, FON246AB, FON250, HCC145AA, HCC145, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Demonstrate basic principles and evaluate techniques of food preparation. (FON142AB, FON244AA, FON244AB, FON250, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Practice food service management including planning, decision-making, leadership, fiscal and human resource principles. (FON207, FON244AA, FON244AB, FON250, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Use relevant scholarly literature, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and statistical analysis to inform decision making and solve problems. (FON225, FON241, FON241LL, FON242, FON250, HCC145AA, HCC145, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Apply theories of motivation and behavior change to develop and implement strategies for improving nutrition and exercise adherence for weight management. (FON241, FON241LL, FON210, FON247, FON250, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE))
  • Design and implement nutritional care plans and provide counseling and education to patients/clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds throughout the lifecycle. (FON210, FON241, FON241LL, FON242, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON246AA, FON246AB, FON247, FON250, PSY101, SOC101, [MA], [FYC], (COM), (CRE), [HU])
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors including interpersonal communication skills. (FON125, FON142AB, FON207, FON210, FON225, FON241, FON241LL, FON242, FON244AA, FON244AB, FON245AA, FON245AB, FON246AA, FON246AB, FON247, FON250, PSY101, SOC101, [FYC], (COM), (CRE), [HU])
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)
Required courses
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:43-51
BIO160Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) OR
BIO201Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) AND
BIO202Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)4-8
 
BPC110Computer Usage and Applications (3) OR
CIS105Survey of Computer Information Systems (3)3
 
FON125Introduction to Professions in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics1
FON142ABScience of Food3
FON207Introduction to Nutrition Services Management3
 
FON210Sports Nutrition and Supplements for Physical Activity (3) OR
FON247Weight Management Science (3)3
 
FON225Research in Complementary and Alternative Nutrition Therapies3
FON241Principles of Human Nutrition3
FON241LLPrinciples of Human Nutrition Laboratory1
FON242Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy3
FON244AAFood Service Management Practicum2
FON244ABFood Service Management Practicum Laboratory2.5
FON245AAMedical Nutrition Therapy Practicum2
FON245ABMedical Nutrition Therapy Practicum Laboratory2.5
FON246AACommunity Nutrition Practicum2
FON246ABCommunity Nutrition Practicum Laboratory2
FON250Nutrition and Dietetic Exam Review1
 
FYE101Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3)1-3
 
HCC145AAMedical Terminology for Health Care Professionals I (1) OR
HCC145Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals (3)1-3

Course Sequence by Term

Restricted Electives
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:0-3
Students seeking university transfer may select zero (0) to three (3) credits:
MAT206Elements of Statistics (3) OR
PSY230Introduction to Statistics (3)3
General education requirements
General Education RequirementCredits: 22-28
 
General Education CoreCredits: 12-18
 
First-Year CompositionCredits: 6
ENG101First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND
ENG102First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG108First-Year Composition for ESL (3)6
 
Oral CommunicationCredits: 3
COM100Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
COM225Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230Small Group Communication (3)3
 
Critical ReadingCredits: 0-3
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment0-3
 
MathematicsCredits: 3-6
MAT150College Algebra/Functions (5) OR
MAT151College Algebra/Functions (4) OR
MAT152College Algebra/Functions (3) OR
MAT155College Algebra/Functions with Review (5) OR
MAT156College Algebra/Functions with Review (6) OR
Any approved general education course in the Mathematics area for which MAT15+ is a prerequisite (3-6)3-6
 
General Education DistributionCredits: 10
 
Humanities and Fine ArtsCredits: 3
Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area3
 
Social and Behavioral SciencesCredits: 3
PSY101Introduction to Psychology (3) OR
SOC101Introduction to Sociology (3)3
 
Natural SciencesCredits: 4
CHM130Fundamental Chemistry (3) AND
CHM130LLFundamental Chemistry Laboratory (1) OR
CHM130AAFundamental Chemistry with Lab (4)4

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.