Dietetic Technician

A Dietetic Technician, trained in food and nutrition, is an integral member of the health care, business and industry, public health, food-service, and research team. Merritt's training focuses on health care where Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR’s) work cooperatively with Registered Dietitians (RD’s) both of which are registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (CDR/ADA). The DTR is the professional practitioner who screens clients for nutritional risk, assists in their nutritional care, and supervises food production and service. 

In California a “Dietetic Technician Registered” is legally defined through a Scope of Practice law (Bussiness and Profession Code Section 2585-2586.8), which requires that Dietetic Technicians be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (CDR/ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, phone 312-899-0040.

Merritt graduates of Track 1 and 2 are registration eligible because they have met the CDR/ADA requirement of: 

An Associate degree or higher from a US regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent 

Successful completion of a CADE accredited didactic program (DPD or DT)

Successful completion of 450 hours of supervised practice within a CADE accredited DT program 

Meritt graduates will become registered when they have passed the CDR's certification exam.

Accreditation

Merritt’s DT program is Developmentally Accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE/ADA) through December 2004 at which time full initial accreditation will be considered. CADE is located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995. phone 312-899-0040 X5500, FAX 312-899-4772.

Every Merritt DT graduate will receive a verification statement and an AS Degree in Dietetic Technology (Track 1) or a verification statement and a Certificate of Achievement in Dietetic Technology with prior degree (Track 2), which will qualify her/him to become a Dietetic Technician Registered after s/he has passed a national exam.

Mission, Goals, And Outcome Measures

The Program mission is to provide the highest quality dietetics education that meets all professional standards and serves both the community and student needs.

GOAL 1: The Program will prepare its graduates to be readily employed in nutrition and dietetics or a related field; or to continue their education at a higher level.

Within 1 year of completing the program, at least 80% of graduates will be employed in a dietetics related field or be enrolled in a higher education program. The Program will survey graduates after 1 year. 
An evaluation of knowledge, skills, and competence by employers of program graduates at one and two years post graduation will show a mean rating of satisfactory or above. The Program will request that graduates provide their employers with the survey.
One hundred percent of graduates will participate in an exit interview, where evidence of completion of all competencies and evaluation by preceptors is presented in portfolio format.

GOAL 2: The Program will provide the encouragement and support necessary to increase the number of students who graduate.

The number of students who complete the program will increase by 50% after 1 year and by 20% after 2 years.Program Director will record and track participants from the time they enroll in Supervised Practice, Level 2, until the verification statement is issued.
The first time pass rate of graduates on the DTR exam will be 80% or greater.The actual rate will be provided to the Program Director by ADA/CDR.

At least eighty percent of all graduates will sit for the DTR exam within 1 year. The actual number of first time examinees will be reported to the Program Director who will compare to the number of verification statements issued.A question regarding exam attempt and reasons for not attempting will be included on The Graduate Survey.

The Survey of Current DT Students will show a mean of at least 4.0 on a 5.0 Leichert Scale response to questions regarding the level of support and encouragement they have received from program faculty.The Survey will be administered twice a year.

GOAL 3: The program will prepare its graduates for active participation in the profession as leaders, mentors, and preceptors.The following rate of professional activity will be reported by program graduates when they are surveyed at one and two years post graduation:

GOAL 4: The program will develop practitioners who are responsive to community needs and who have the ability to collaborate in a diverse environment.

Preceptors will be asked to rate program students regarding their cultural competence and ability to function as part of a diverse team. The target will be a mean of 3.5 on a Leichert Scale of 1-5. 
Graduates (at one year and two years) will be asked to provide their employer with the survey described in #1 above.The target will be a mean of 4.0 on a scale of 1-5.

Admission Requirements

To Merritt College if at least 18 years old or a high school graduate or passed the high school proficiency examination or GED. 

To the Dietetic Technology Program with a Student Education Plan showing projected completion of either Track 1 or Track 2 within 2 semesters.

TRACK 1: AS Degree Dietetic Technology

For Those Students Who Have Not Previously Completed An Associate Or Higher Degree

General Education:

See Merritt College Catalog for general education requirements for an Associate of Science degree.

Major Requirements:

The following courses are required for the AS Degree in Dietetic Technology to fulfill the accreditation knowledge and skills requirements of CADE/ADA.

BIOL 24: Basic Anatomy & Physiology (4 units) 
PSYCH 1: Intro to General Psychology (3 units) 
ANTHR 3: Intro to Social & Cultural Anthropology (3 units) 
MATH 201 or higher: Elementary Algebra (4 units) 
ENGL 201A or equivalent or higher: English Composition (3 units) 
SPCH 20: Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
HLTOC 201: Medical Terminology (2 units)

NUTR 10 (FACS 10): Basic Nutrition (4 units) or BIOL 28 or BIOL 31 or equivalent 
NUTR 12 (FACS 12): Medical Nutrition (3 units) 
NUTR 30 (FACS 81): Sanitation & Safety (2 units) 
NUTR 31 (FACS 84): Food Production Systems (3 units) 
NUTR 32 (FACS 82): Supervision and Training (3 units) 
NUTR 70A: Seminars in Supervised Practice--Level A (1 unit) 
NUTR 71A (FACS 85): Rotations in Supervised Practice--Level A (2 units)

NUTR 70B: Seminars in Supervised Practice--Level B (2 unit) 
NUTR 71B: Rotations in Supervised Practice--Level B (2 units) 
NUTR 70C: Seminars in Supervised Practice--Level C (2 units) 
NUTR 71C: Rotations in Supervised Practice--Level C (2 units)

Other Recommended Courses:

NUTR 200A-B: Intro to Institutional Food Service (1-2 units) 
NUTR 246: Occupational Work Experience in Dietetics (1-4 units)

If you have already completed coursework which you believe is equivalent,  please request that an official transcript be sent to PCCD Admissions and Records and to the Program Director, Nutrition & Dietetics at Merritt College.  Also register for NUTR 1 and bring a copy of your transcript to be evaluated for equivalency and currency.

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE OF COURSES 

FOR AN AS DEGREE

Recommended Sequence of Courses for Summer Plus 4 Semesters (employed students usually take longer):

Summer: 

NUTR 10 

Fall: 

NUTR 12, NUTR 30, NUTR 32, BIOL 24, HLTOC 201, CIS 205 

Spring: 

NUTR 31, NUTR 70A, NUTR 71A, MATH 201, ENGL 201A 

Fall: 

NUTR 70B, NUTR 71B, SPCH 20, PSYCH 1A, ANTHR 3, electives 

Spring: 

NUTR 70C, NUTR 71C, an Ethnic Studies course, a Humanities course, Electives 

Students who plan to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program are recommended to contact the receiving institution since required courses vary.

TRACK 2: Certificate Of Achievement In Dietetic Technology

If you already have a degree Associate or higher, you may qualify under one of the three categories:
1. With a Verification Statement
2. Without a Verification Statement
3. With a Degree earned outside the US

1. With a Verification Statement

Graduates of a CADE/ADA accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) who present an original verification statement from the Program Director of the DPD Program to the DT Program Director and an original transcript from the degree granting institution may apply to complete the 450 hours of supervised practice (NUTR 70-71 A-C).Upon successful completion of the supervised practice, the graduate will earn a Merritt College Certificate of Achievement and the DT Program Director will provide the graduate with another verification statement. The graduate is now qualified to apply to the CDR/ADA to sit for the Dietetic Technician Exam to become a Dietetic Technician Registered.

 

Certificate of Achievement Requirements: 
NUTR 70A Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level A(1 unit) 
NUTR 70B Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level B (2 units) 
NUTR 70C Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level C (2 units 
NUTR 71A Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level A (2 units) 
NUTR 71B Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level B (2 units) 
NUTR 71C Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level C (2 units)
Total required units: 11

2. Without a Verification Statement

Applicants with an Associate-degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university must provide the DT Program Director with an original degree transcript and evidence that they have completed the equivalent courses needed to satisfy the CADE/ADA Foundation Knowledge and Skills requirements (courses listed under "Dietetic Technology: Degree Major Requirements"). Additional coursework (as determined by the DT Program Director) beyond the seminar lectures and 450 hours of supervised practice may be required.

Please enroll in NUTR 1 to have your transcript evaluated and to develop an individualized plan.
Credit for prior coursework is granted on an individual basis based on the recommendation of the Program Director and approval of college administration.
The applicant will be admitted to the DT Program when they are within two semesters of completion of all requirements listed below.

 

Certificate of Achievement Requirements: 
NUTR 70-71 A-C as listed above. 
Plus any courses listed under "Dietetic Technology: Degree Major Requirements" not previously completed.

3. With a Degree earned outside the US

Applicants are required to provide evidence of equivalency through an evaluation service recommended by CADE/ADA. The applicant proceeds as specified in #2 above.

For information, call Helenka Livingston at 510.436.2521 or email her at hlivingston@peralta.edu..

Register for Nutrition 1, Survey of the Profession, to explore the full range of academic and career opportunities.  This course will also provide an opportunity to review transcripts of courses completed elsewhere and to individualize your education plan.

Enroll on-line  or call 510.466-7368 for registration assistance.

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