Program Information
-
Location: West Allis Campus
- Pathway: Healthcare
- Program Code: 10-313-1
- Offering: In-Person
- Degree Type: 2-Year Degree (Associate)
- Start Dates: August/January
About the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Degree
Description
Learn how the science of managing food and nutrition helps promote good health. Dietetic technicians typically work as a member of the food service or healthcare team. MATC’s program includes supervised clinical and field experiences. Graduates are eligible for student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and will receive the title Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR) after successfully completing the national registration exam.
You can earn the Dietary Manager certificate on the way to completing this associate degree.
Additional program details: Nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered – NDTRs – are educated and trained at the technical level of nutrition and dietetics practice for the delivery of safe, culturally competent, quality food and nutrition services. They are nationally credentialed and are an integral part of healthcare and food-service management teams. They work under the supervision of a registered dietitian nutritionist when in direct patient/client nutrition care; and they may work independently in providing general nutrition education to healthy populations.
Dietetics is a vital, growing field. Employment options include hospitals, school lunch programs, nutrition programs for the elderly, food service management firms.
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Career Outlook
Related Programs
Dietary Manager
Students enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician associate degree program will complete all of this Dietary Manager certificate’s required courses as part of their program. Students have the opportunity to learn about safe food handling, meal planning, menu management and supervision. Students are eligible for Association of Nutrition & Food Professionals (ANFP) Pre-Professional membership and upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for the ANFP professional membership.
Community Health and Nutrition Navigator
A community health and nutrition navigator is a frontline public health worker who, as a trusted member of the community, serves as a liaison to connect people to medical providers and community resources for health and nutrition needs.
Detailed Program Information
2025-26 Curriculum
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DIETNT-106 | Food Service Sanitation ‡ ^ | 2 |
| DIETNT-109 | Food Science ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-123 | Dietetic Technician Orientation ‡ | 1 |
| DIETNT-151 | Nutrition for Dietetics ‡ ^ | 4 |
| DIETNT-160 | Medical Terminology for the Dietetic Technician ‡ | 1 |
| ENG-195 | Written Communication ‡ (or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡ |
3 |
| DIETNT-108 | Food Service Management 1 ‡ ^ | 3 |
| DIETNT-118 | Food Service Management 1: Coordinated Practice ‡ ^ | 1 |
| DIETNT-124 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-134 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 1: Coordinated Practice ‡ | 1 |
| DIETNT-152 | Physiology for Dietetics ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-156 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle ‡ | 2 |
| DIETNT-166 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle: Coordinated Practice ‡ | 1 |
| MATH-107 | College Mathematics ‡ (or) BIOSCI-220 Introduction to Nutritional Science |
3 |
| DIETNT-125 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 ‡ | 4 |
| DIETNT-135 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 2: Coordinated Practice ‡ | 2 |
| DIETNT-155 | Community Nutrition ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-157 | Food Service Management 2 ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-167 | Food Service Management 2: Coordinated Practice ‡ | 2 |
| ENG-196 | Oral/Interpersonal Communication ‡ (or) SPEECH-201 Elements of Speech |
3 |
| DIETNT-136 | Medical Nutrition Therapy Field Experience ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-146 | Food and Nutrition Management Field Experience ‡ | 3 |
| DIETNT-170 | Nutritional Counseling Skills ‡ | 2 |
| PSYCH-199 | Psychology of Human Relations (or) PSYCH-231 Introductory Psychology |
3 |
| SOCSCI-172 | Introduction to Diversity Studies (or) SOCSCI-203 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
|
TOTAL CREDITS |
62 |
‡ Prerequisite required.
^ Students completing these four courses are eligible to take the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers Certified Dietary Manager examination.
Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.
This Associate in Applied Science program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.
Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.
Search for available classes now (link) to see course descriptions, class times and locations.
Already a student? You can visit Self-Service (link) and choose Student Planning to register for classes.
DIGITAL BADGES
Upon completion of specified coursework, students may be eligible for the following digital badge(s):
2025-2026 Program Flyer
Links & Resources
Nutrition and Dietetic Technician - Course Map (pdf)
CastleBranch Requirements and Forms (pdf)
Healthcare Student Handbook (pdf)
Program Curriculum Guide (pdf)
Nutrition & Dietetic Technician - DT Policies and Procedures Checklist: Standard 8 (pdf)
Important Dates
This program is an open entry program - students can enroll in open entry programs when enrollment begins each semester.
- No prerequisite courses
- Fall start: Registration for classes opens in April
- Spring start: Registration for classes opens in November
Deadlines and important dates can be found on:
Cost & Aid Deadlines
Also, you can find dates and deadlines on the MATC Events Calendar
Program Outcomes
- Integrate scientific information and translate research into practice
- Practice beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional nutrition and dietetics technician level of practice
- Develop information, products and services for individuals, groups and populations
- Deliver information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations
- Apply principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations
- Implement skills, strengths, knowledge and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner
Program Outcomes Data is available upon request.
Admission Requirements
Scholarships
Mission and Goals
Mission
The Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Program will provide a competent, community-focused work force with the foundation, knowledge and competencies to function as entry-level Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians, Registered in medical nutrition therapy and food service management as a part of a diverse community.
Program Goals- Goal 1: Recruit nutrition and dietetic technician registered eligible students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- Objective 1: Recruit students of various racial and ethnic backgrounds to increase enrollment by 1% over three years to total 3% increase in three years.
- Goal 2: Retain nutrition and dietetic technician registered eligible students in preparation to work in the profession.
- Objective 1: One hundred percent of full-time students will be retained through the program.
- Goal 3: Graduate nutrition and dietetic technician registry eligible graduates in preparation to work in the Wisconsin region.
- Objective 1: Sixty percent of graduates work in the Milwaukee and surrounding Wisconsin region.
- Objective 2: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 60% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Required Element (ACEND) RE 2.1.c.1.b)
- Objective 3: Eighty percent of employers are satisfied with graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice.
- Goal 4: Graduate competent entry-level nutrition and dietetic Technician, registered eligible graduates committed to serving the community and the profession.
- Objective 1a: “At least 80% of students complete program requirements within three years (150% of the program length).” Full-time (ACEND RE 2.1.c.1.a)
- Objective 1b: “At least 80% of students complete program requirements within six years (150% of the program length).” Part-time (ACEND RE 2.1.c.1.a)
- Objective 2: “At least 80 % of program graduates take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for nutrition and dietetics technicians within 12 months of program completion.” (ACEND RE 2.1.c.1.c.1)
- Objective 3: “The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for nutrition and dietetics is at least 70%.” (RE 2.1.c.1.c.2)
- Objective 4: At least 50% of graduates will indicate that they have served the community or profession in a volunteer capacity at least once in a year post graduation.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 800-877-1600 ext. 5400; https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.
Credentials
National Credential
Upon successful completion of the MATC’s Nutrition & Dietetics Technician program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Credentialing Exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). More information about the NDTR national credential can be found at this link: https://www.cdrnet.org/NDTR
State Licensure
NDTRs in the state of Wisconsin are not licensed but work under the licensure of a Registered Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LD). While individual state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) considered opinion that the MATC Nutrition & Dietetics Technician program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states with this requirement. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietetic technician in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including any supervised practice and examinations needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now.
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QUESTIONS?
Healthcare Academic & Career Pathway
414-297-6263
262-238-2281
healthpathway@matc.edu