Dietary Management
Program Narrative
The Dietary Management Specialized Diploma program is designed for individuals currently working 20 hours in the healthcare food service industry. The program offers students courses in nutrition, administration, personnel systems management and food safety. Core threads of nutrition principles, leadership, food safety budgeting and quality care are integrated throughout the program. Upon completing the program, students are prepared for supervisory positions within the industry with responsibility for purchasing, storing, preparing, delivering balanced nutritional meals, and provide menu variety and appetizing entrees while maintaining nutritional requirements within cost/profit objectives.
Program Features
The Dietary Management Specialized Diploma Program consists of 17 credits and can be completed within a 9 months time span. The program core courses (3) are offered in ten week sessions and run consecutively from September through May. The required Speech Communication and ServSafe® Sanitation courses are offered throughout the year. Field study experiences enhance each of the core courses and offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge into the employment setting. Upon completion of the core program courses, Dietary Management students are eligible to take the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) national credentialing examination.
The Dietary Management Specialized Diploma Program prepares students to be front line supervisors/managers in food service departments primarily within hospitals, personal care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. Northampton Community College is fully accredited by the Dietary Managers Association.
Special Note: For those students who have completed the non-credit specialized diploma and have the credential of CDM and CFFP they may apply to the credit specialized diploma program. They will be able to establish competency by taking the final examination in each of the three core courses and once admitted to the program will be given 12 college credits for course work already completed. Once completing CMTH 102 and CULA 102 they would be eligible for the credit specialized diploma. For information call Admissions at 610-861-5500 or Deb Maurer at 610-332-6536.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
- Demonstrate competencies as outlined by the Dietary Managers Association in Nutrition, Administration and Personnel Management, Systems Administration and Food Safety.
- Incorporate an understanding of the principles of nutrition, leadership, food safety, budgeting and providing quality care throughout the theoretical and field experience portions of the program.
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a Dietary Manager position with a CDM (Certified Dietary Manager) and CFFP (Certified Food Protection Professional) credential while demonstrating skills necessary to manage a busy food service operation.
- Integrate infection control principles and patient safety into practice.
- Understand Dietary Manager's terminology affiliated with the food service industry.
- Understand and apply the legal, regulatory and ethical parameters to the role of the Dietary Manager.
- Complete a minimum of 180 hours of field experience as a dietary management student.
- Pass the Dietary Manager and Food Protection Professional National Certification Examination by the Dietary Manager's Association within the 3 years of completion of the program.