School of Math, Science & Engineering (MSE)
Dietary Managers work with registered dietitians to provide quality food production, service, and nutritional care and are an integral part of health care and food service management teams.
The Dietary Manager Certificate of Achievement program prepares students to manage the administration of food service systems in both public and private institutional settings. The program focuses on the principles and practices of human nutrition, food safety, the design and organization of food service systems, purchasing, and personnel management. Coursework includes online classroom time with students completing 180 hours of supervised practice in accredited facilities.
Certificate of Achievement
This certificate program prepares students for the Certifying Board of Dietary Managers’ national exam. It includes three classroom courses, which can be completed entirely online, as well as 180 hours of clinical field experience completed in Albuquerque-area healthcare facilities.
Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the Certifying Board of Dietary Managers’ national exam and earn the CDM (Certified Dietary Manager) and CFPP (Certified Food Protection Professional) credentials. The CDM and CFPP credentials are nationally recognized as experts in managing dietary operations.
Educational Option Information
- This educational option is designed for: Immediate employment
- This educational option can be started: Fall or Spring semesters
- This educational option can be completed: Part-Time or Full-Time
- This educational option can be completed in 1-2 semesters
- Primary course location: Online, except for the clinical field experience hours, if required
Special Requirements
Criminal Background
Dietary Manager students must undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers’ criminal history screening program prior to their clinical experiences. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to beginning the clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to complete the clinical experiences and therefore will be ineligible to complete the certificate.
Other Compliance Requirements
This program requires a routine urine drug screen and documentation of current Covid-19 immunizations, prior to beginning the clinical experience, all of which, along with the criminal background check, are verified through the Office of Verification and Compliance.
Physical Requirements
Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Many healthcare facilities require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the Program Director for more information.
Program Fees
Program fees cover costs incurred on behalf of the student for background checks, drug screens, etc.
Tuberculosis testing is not covered by the program fees but may be covered by the student’s health insurance plan. Approximate cost: $130, varies by test type, location, and insurance coverage
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites (i.e. clinical courses at hospitals, internships, etc.).
Approximate Cost no FA insert
Additional Costs
- Drug Screening and Criminal Background Check Fees: Approximately $130
- Individual courses associated with this program may require students to purchase additional materials.
Career Opportunities
Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.
Potential Employers
- Nursing facilities, rehab facilities, hospitals, senior living communities, correctional facilities, schools, military, corporations
Sample Job Titles
- Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Foodservice Manager and many others
Sample Job Duties
- Manage menus, food purchasing, food preparation, document nutrition information, ensure food safety
Other Courses That May Help Employability/Promotability
- Culinary arts courses and a bachelor’s degree will improve chances of employment and also result in a higher salary.
Current pay rates
- Average Full-Time salary (2018): $53,116
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.