Program Codes:
DIET.AAS
Associate in Applied Science
This program prepares students for a career as a dietetic technician in a health care facility, school, day care center, correction facility, corporation or community health setting. The Dietetic Technology Program is currently granted probationary accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312.899.5400. Graduates are eligible for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to write the registration examination for dietetic technicians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to become a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR). Students are also eligible for membership in the Dietary Managers Association and to sit for the credentialing examination to become a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM).
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
A one semester survey of the cells, tissues and systems of the human body. Structural, functional and biochemical features of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, special senses, digestive, respiratory, lymphatic, urinary and reproductive systems in health and disease are studied and examined. Recommended for non-science majors. This course fulfills the science requirement for Dietetic Technology students.
An introduction to the organization of food service in health care facilities and the role of the dietetic technician.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
A passing score on the College placement test or a grade of “C” or better in ENG-010
HCD-104
An introduction to the use of foodservice and hospitality technologies available to chefs and managers.
HCD-102 if not already taken.
Principles of nutrition including the various essential nutrients in foods and their functions in the human body.
BIO-108
Introduces techniques for safe food handling including microbiology, preventing foodborne illnesses, maintenance of safe facilities and training foodservice employees. Industry Certification.
An introduction to the total organization of health care facilities, departmental function and responsibilities, as well as professional and paraprofessional interrelationships.
HCD-155 and HCD-241
A clinical experience designed to introduce students to the organization of food service in a specific health care facility and to provide an integrated approach to the nutritional care of patients.
HCD-112, HCD-152 and HCD-241
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students will engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
The principles of quantity food production. Emphasis is on designing and costing of menus, managing food production in a commercial kitchen, and the development of foodservice management skills.
HCD-108
Explores the nutritional management of disease. Application of nutrition principles to the nutritional care of patients/clients as a result of disease development.
HCD-105 with a grade of "C" or better
Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
A foodservice systems management experience in a health care facility designed to give students an opportunity to apply classroom theory to quantity food production, patient and employee foodservice and personnel management.
HCD-243 and HCD-230
The application of management techniques through the experience of planning and managing luncheons catered by students in the HCD programs. The course provides opportunities to apply principles of menu planning, food cost controls, sanitation, food production, employee supervision, marketing and guest service.
The study of and application of concepts and theories in foodservice systems management including; human resources, labor laws, materials management, information technology, physical resources, financial management, quality improvement techniques and theories, marketing and menu planning.
This course examines human relationships in society, analyzes concepts of culture, socialization, values, norms, deviance, stratification and causes and effects of inequalities.
A clinical experience in acute care, long-term care, school food service and community based nutrition programs designed to emphasize the managerial functions of planning and control in relation to food procurement, inventory management, cost accounting and nutritional management of patients; a culminating experience.
HCD-206 and HCD-259
Explores the expanding dimensions of the dietetic technician's role in health care, business and industry, school food service, public health, foodservice and research and prepares the student for entry-level positions.
HCD-256 with a grade of "C" or better.
HCD-206, HCD-245 and HCD-257
Principles and management of cost control systems for planning, controlling and analyzing costs related to food, labor, and other expenses in food service operations. Complemented by the principles and theories of food procurement, including management, safety and ethical considerations in the procurement process. Industry Certification.
Explores the principles and impact of nutrition on preconception, pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. For every phase of life, investigate characteristics of Norman growth and development, nutrition assessment, the most common nutritional deficiencies seen, nutrient needs and practical means of delivering nutrition. Practice in planning meals appropriate for each stage of life is included.
HCD-105 with a grade of "C" or better
Appropriate score on the College placement test, MAT-013 or departmental approval
Note: Students who choose to transfer, in consultation with their academic advisor, should enroll in a mathematics course for which they have the appropriate academic background.
Provides a psychological basis for the understanding of human behavior. A survey of fundamentals that are necessary for subsequent psychology courses. Topics include but are not limited to: learning, motivation, cognition, personality, abnormal behavior, development and social psychology.
Contact Name: Professor Mary-Pat Maciolek, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2538
Contact Email: MMaciolek@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: http://www2.middlesexcc.edu/academics/academic-departments/hospitality-culinary-arts-and-dietetics.html
They study the management of food service systems and how to function at the mid-management level in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the food service operations and nutrition care plans. They learn in the classroom and in clinical settings.
Many four year colleges and universities will apply the courses taken towards a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition and hotel, restaurant management. The College has official articulation agreements with NYU, the College of St. Elizabeth, and Montclair State University.
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or completion of the appropriate course. Students also need a grade of “C” or higher in one year of high school laboratory science.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
Yes, there are practical considerations, health considerations and legal considerations that you should review before making the decision to choose dietetics as a career:
The following Practical Considerations are listed so students may be better able to assess their career choice in terms of ability to succeed in the program and gain employment in the field:
Due to the nature of clinical experiences in Dietetic Technology Program, students will be participating in a work environment that has the potential of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. All students accepted into the Dietetic Technology Program are provided with instruction on infection control protocols specific to the Program in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
A student is required to have a criminal background check performed with satisfactory results acceptable by Middlesex County College, and the Dietetic Technology Program and/or participating clinical facilities as a condition of admission, initial enrollment and/or continued enrollment. An offer of admission will not be final and enrollment not permitted until the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. Drug testing is a requirement for some of the programs. Admission may be denied or rescinded or enrollment terminated based on the results of the criminal background check and the drug testing.