Associate of Science in Dietetic Technology
Oakland, USA
Associate of Applied Science
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 13,410
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Associate of Science in Dietetic Technology at Merritt College trains students to work as dietetic technicians with Registered Dietitians. The program covers screening for nutritional risk, assessing dietary needs, implementing care plans, and supervising food production and service. It requires specified major requirements and local AA/AS general education. Merritt College is a public college in the Peralta Community College District on 125-acre Oakland campus.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work in hospitals, long-term care, schools, public health, food service, and clinical research. Potential roles: food service manager, dietetic technician, first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers, and nutrition assistant.
The Dietetic Technology program provides training for Dietetic Technicians, who work cooperatively with Registered Dietitians. The Dietetic Technician is certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to screen clients for nutritional risk, and assist in assessing dietary needs, implementing care plans, and supervising food production and service. The Dietetic Technician, trained in food and nutrition, is an integral member of the healthcare, business and industry, public health, food service, and research team.
To qualify for the Associate in Science in Dietetic Technology degree, students must satisfactorily complete the degree major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS General Education requirements.
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Utilize up-to-date, evidence-based practices in the field of nutrition and dietetics
- Effectively communicate within the professional environment utilizing various verbal, and written methods and electronic-based technology.
Program Requirements
Major Core Courses
- Nutrition 4
- Nutrition and Disease 3
- Sanitation and Safety 2
- Food-Production Systems 3
- Supervision and Training 3
- Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level A 2
- Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level B 3
- Seminar in Supervised Practice, Level C 3
- Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level A 2
- Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level B 2
- Rotations in Supervised Practice, Level C 2
- Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
- Medical Terminology I 2
*BIOL 24 Fulfills both 4 units of major requirements and 4 units of general education requirements
Required General Education Courses
Area 2 - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one Psychology or Sociology course for 3 units 3
Area 3 - Humanities
Select one course for 3 units 3
Area 4 - Language and Rationality
- Composition and Reading 4
- Select one course in Area 4b (Mathematics) 3
- Select one course in Area 4c (Computer Literacy) 1
- Select one course in Area 4d (Oral or Written Communication, or Literature) 3
Area 5 - Ethnic Studies Select one course for 3 units 3
Elective Courses
Select 3 units of degree-applicable courses 3
Major Requirements 38
Total Units 60
Career opportunities may include food service managers, dietetic technicians, first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers, and nutrition assistants in institutions and cafeterias.