Dietitian Assisting
Overview
Dietitian assisting programs teach people to assist registered dietitians in planning, preparing, and serving meals to people with specific dietary needs.Dietician assisting programs include topics such as:
- Health and nutrition
- Recordkeeping
- Food preparation techniques
- Food safety regulations
Schools
Several career and technical schools as well as several community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in dietitian assisting. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.
A few distance education programs in dietitian assisting are also available.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Culinary Arts
- Dietetic Technology
- Dietetics
- Food Services
- Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
- Health Aide
- Medical Assisting
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program of study by getting your high school diploma or GED.
Some programs require applicants to pass competency tests in English and math.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Community Health
- Food and Nutrition
- Food Science
- Health and Fitness
- Health Education
- Healthcare Occupations
- Healthcare Sciences Work Experience
- Lifetime Fitness Education
- Physical Education
- Psychology
- Safety and First Aid
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Food Microbiology
- Foods
- Food Service Production and Purchasing
- Fundamentals of Nutrition
- Introduction to Dietetics
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Medical Terminology
- The Modified Diet
- Sanitation and Safety
Many schools that offer courses in dietetics also offer clinical practicums and externships. These are valuable opportunities to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-life settings where dietary managers can work. For example, you could help a dietitian plan and prepare a menu for an elementary school cafeteria.
Things to Know
If taking a distance education program, you may have to schedule a practicum on your own, under the supervision of a registered dietitian.
Programs in dietetics often require students to have malpractice insurance coverage while in clinical courses. They also require up-to-date vaccination shots.
Schools
No information available.