Nutrition & Dietetics

Explore on This Page

• Job Titles & Career Info
• Our Program
• Degrees & Certificates
• Accreditation
• How Much Time & Money to Finish?
• Earn More Choices & More Money
• Start on Your Pathway!

Job Titles & Career Info

Our Program

Why Choose Nutrition & Dietetics (formerly Dietetic Technician)?

• Gain hands-on nutrition counseling & dietetics work experience through patient simulation activities & practicum courses
• Make a difference in people’s lives by helping them become healthier through dietary & lifestyle changes
• Enter a field that is growing because of:
  • Our aging population
  • Increased emphasis on disease prevention
  • Greater interest in nutrition
• Have the choice of working in clinical, community, or foodservice settings
• Prepare to sit for the credentialing exam to become a Nutrition Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR)
  • Learn more about the benefits of becoming a NDTR

Prepare for What You Will Do at Work

• Assist Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in developing & providing nutrition care to patients
  • Gather patient information on dietary intake & medical history
  • Conduct nutrition-focused physical assessments & interpret pertinent lab results
  • Assess nutrition status, modify menus to meet patient needs & provide diet education
• Collaborate with medical professionals to provide patient care
• Conduct nutrition classes or food demonstrations

Explore Professional Organizations

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP)

Marketable Skills You Will Learn

• Critical thinking
• Reasoning
• Communication
• Personal & social responsibility
• Teamwork
• Computer literacy

Before You Enroll, Think About:

Special Admission

Nutrition & Dietetics is a special admission program.

After being accepted to TCC, you must meet enrollment requirements to be eligible to submit a separate application to the program.

Talk to the program director or the Career & Technical advisor to select courses you need for the program. You are not required to complete Texas core classes for this degree.

Get the Details on These Pages:

• Special Admission
• How to Apply
• Mission & Goals

Special Requirement: Practicum—Supervised Practice

Practicum provides supervised practice experience in real life situations. You are required to complete 3 practicum courses, with a minimum of 450 hours.

Learn more about the Practicum

Stackable Certificates

You will also able to earn the following certificates as you complete the program requirements.

• Healthy Meal Planning
• Nutrition Specialist I
• Dietary Manager
• Food & Nutrition Coach

Licensing Notice: Texas House Bill 1508

This program prepares you for an occupational license. However, you may not be eligible for licensing if you have a prior criminal history.

For more details, see Texas House Bill 1508 Licensing Requirements

Want more details?

• TCC Dietetics Program Student Handbook: Touching Lives through Food and Nutrition (PDF)Listen

Have accessibility questions about this handbook? Call the Dietetics Department at 817-515-3051.

Need help paying for this program?

• TCC Financial Aid
• TCC Foundation Scholarships

Need a boost to get ready for college?

Talk to your advisor about Developmental Studies if your TSI scores say you need some help in math or reading and writing.

Degrees & Certificates

Degree

• Nutrition & Dietetics, AAS
  (formerly Dietetic Technician)

Accreditation

Our program is the only accredited nutrition and dietetics program in Texas.

Accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

• Address:
  120 South Riverside Plaza
  Suite 2190
  Chicago, IL 60606-6995
• Telephone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
• Website: ACEND

National Credential

Upon successful completion of the TCC Nutrition & Dietetics Technician program and meeting the verification requirements, the graduate is eligible to take the National Credentialing Exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Find out more about the NDTR national credential.

State Licensure

NDTRs in the state of Texas 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)'s opinion that the TCC  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.

Find out more about state licensure and certification.

How Much Time & Money to Finish?

2024–2025 Academic Year

Notes:

• Tuition is based on in-state, in-county rates.
• Totals do not include textbooks and other materials.

Continuing Education Programs

Time commitments and fees vary depending on the course.

Earn More Choices & More Money

Transfer to a college or university

Earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to promotion opportunities.

Registered Dietitian Program

Talk to the program director of the receiving university regarding transferable coursework and prerequisites for the Registered Dietitian program

More Options

You will also be ready to work toward these degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition or Dietetics
• Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion, Health Education, or Wellness
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Next steps

• Talk to your advisor about planning for transfer
• Explore transfer schools

Start on Your Pathway!