Academic Catalogs

Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Associate in Science Degree

Banner Code: 1_AS_NADT

Control Number: 08667

Financial Aid Eligible


Students completing this program are prepared to join the nutrition and dietetics team in various nutritional aspects of health care. Graduates from this program are employed by acute care, long term care, and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as by community agencies that provide education in nutrition. Completion of the following courses, along with the Associate Degree program at Orange Coast College qualifies the student to sit for the Nutritional and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) exam. Students are highly encouraged to become a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Upon successful completion of these courses (with grade of ‘C’ or better), the program requirements, and the General Education Requirements, students will receive a Verification Statement from the program director confirming that all requirements of the program have been met. Students will then be eligible to take the National Registration Exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

This program has been granted full accreditation by:

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
800-877-1600 x5400
www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

It is recommended that the student complete at least 15-17 units of general education requirements prior to entering the program.

Program Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate competent entry-level skills of a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) in order to meet the employment needs of the community.
  2. Communicate and work effectively with an interdisciplinary workforce and clientele of the community.
  3. Participate in personal growth and lifelong learning activities

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

  1. UNIT REQUIREMENT60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
  2. MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AS major requirements.
  3. MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or“pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
  4. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AS GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.
Course Title Units
Required Prerequisites
ALH A010Health Occupations0.5
ALH A111Medical Terminology3
FN A100Careers in Dietetics and Food Science1
or NC A100 Careers in Dietetics/FDSCI
Required Courses
ALH A115Patient Care2.5
BIOL A221Anatomy-Physiology4
FN A144Life Cycle Nutrition3
FN A170Nutrition 13
FN A171Applied Nutrition2
FSM A150Fundamentals of Food Preparation 14
FSM A151Food Production Management 12
FSM A160Sanitation and Safety 12
FSM A250Menu Planning and Purchasing3
FSM A260Supervision and Training Techniques 13
NC A175Health Care Field Experience 14
NC A180Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy 13
NC A280Intermediate Nutrition Care2
NC A281Supervised Practice 13
NC A285Advanced Nutrition Care2
NC A286Supervised Practice 23
Total Units50
Requirement Units
Minimum Program Major Units 50
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 Varies
Total Degree Units 65

Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Suggested Electives: 

ALH A120 Human Diseases
ALH A130 Applied Pharmacology
CMST A100 Interpersonal Communication
FN A195 Food Science
PSYC A100 Introduction to Psychology

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Some courses in this program may be offered once per academic year. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
FN A100
Careers in Dietetics and Food Science
or Careers in Dietetics/FDSCI
1
ALH A010 Health Occupations 0.5
OCC AS GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 1 3-4
OCC AS GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units10.5-11.5
Semester 2
ALH A111 Medical Terminology 3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): 0-4
Intermediate Algebra (or higher) 2
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
 
OCC AS GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA D - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units9-13
Year 2
Semester 1
ALH A115 Patient Care 2.5
FN A170 Nutrition 3
FSM A150 Fundamentals of Food Preparation 4
FSM A160 Sanitation and Safety 2
FSM A260 Supervision and Training Techniques 3
 Units14.5
Semester 2
BIOL A221 Anatomy-Physiology 4
FSM A151 Food Production Management 2
NC A175 Health Care Field Experience 4
NC A180 Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy 3
 Units13
Year 3
Semester 1
FN A144 Life Cycle Nutrition 3
FN A171 Applied Nutrition 2
NC A280 Intermediate Nutrition Care 2
NC A281 Supervised Practice 1 3
 Units10
Semester 2
FSM A250 Menu Planning and Purchasing 3
NC A285 Advanced Nutrition Care 2
NC A286 Supervised Practice 2 3
 Units8
 Total Units65-70