Dietetic Technician
Associate in Applied Science Degree — West Allis Campus

Program code: 10-313-1

This curriculum goes into effect starting with the summer 2008 semester.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

Overview — Dietetic Technician is an associate degree program that prepares you for a career that is exciting, challenging and allows you to succeed, excel and feel good about what you do. Dietetics is the science of managing food and nutrition to promote health. It’s a vital, growing field open to creativity and opportunity, and the possibilities are endless. A dietetic technician typically works as a member of the food service or health care team. The program provides theoretical instruction, supervised clinical experience and field experience. The Dietetic Technician program is currently granted continuing accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.

See  Program Goals, Learning Outcomes and Fees  information for this program.


Career Outlook — The demand for dietetic technicians is growing rapidly. They are employed by hospitals, public health nutrition programs, child nutrition and school lunch programs, nutrition programs for the elderly and food service management firms. For additional career information, visit www.eatright.org

Career Preparation and Expected Learning Outcomes — Employers expect you as a program graduate to be able to:

• Take diet histories and evaluate patients’ nutritional status
• Supervise dietetic assistants, diet clerks and food service personnel
• Maintain food procurement systems
• Calculate and plan menus for regular and modified diets
• Teach normal and clinical nutrition, and food service principles
• Monitor quality assurance in dietetics

Infused within the program is the Dietary Manager Certificate. Dietary managers work with health care team professionals such as registered dietitians to provide quality nutritional care and food service management in a variety of noncommercial settings including health care, public schools, corrections and others. Certificate courses are approved by the Dietary Managers Association. Successful completion of the certificate courses provides eligibility to complete the nationally recognized credentialing examination for certified dietary manager, certified food service professional.

Preparation for Admission — The following are required for admission to the program:

• A high school diploma or GED
• One year of high school level biology and chemistry
• Good health as evidenced by a medical examination
• Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment
• Documentation of proper immunizations
• Documentation that the Essential Job Functions have been reviewed in keeping with the requirements of the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Documentation of compliance with Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law.

Future Opportunities — As a graduate, you are eligible for technician membership in the American Dietetic Association and will receive the title Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR), signifying professional competence, upon successful completion of the national registration exam. DTRs must complete a Professional Development Portfolio every five years to maintain this credential. You may also join a variety of other professional organizations, including the Dietary Managers Association, American Dietetics Association and the American Heart Association.

Related Programs:

Occupational Therapy Assistant
Culinary Arts

For more information, call 414-456-5310.

Curriculum effective 2008-2009.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

NOTE: Students who have not been accepted, or have not decided on a program, may begin with GENERAL STUDIES courses, if course prerequisites have been met.

For course descriptions, times and locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.