Coolidge, AZ | Nursing, Health & Emergency Careers Dept
Central Arizona College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nutrition & Dietetic Technician track with 2 embedded certificates:
- Community Nutrition Worker Certificate (embedded)
- Nutrition and Health Promotion Certificate (embedded)
The program is offered 100% online (except internship) and has maintained ACEND accreditation since 1978, making it one of the longest-running accredited dietetic technician programs in the nation.
Program Tracks Overview
Students earn two certifications while progressing through the degree and become eligible to sit for both the NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered) and CDM®, CFPP® (Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional) national exams upon completion.
The program emphasizes medical nutrition therapy, education and wellness, and food service management through TRUE Learning: Teaching, Reaching, Understanding, and Empowering students.
Associate of Applied Science – Nutrition & Dietetic Technician
The estimated cost for the AAS Nutrition & Dietetic Technician program is approximately $8,108 for Arizona residents ($13,958 for out-of-state) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis (64-69 credits).
NDT Curriculum
The 64-69 credit ACEND-accredited AAS program emphasizes medical nutrition therapy, education and wellness, and food service management through didactic coursework and minimum 450 hours of supervised practical experience, preparing students to work independently or collaboratively with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
General Education Requirements (24-28 credits):
- ENG101: English Composition I OR ENG121: Applied Technical Writing
- MAT151: College Algebra or higher*
- BIO160: Introduction to Human Anatomy/Physiology (4cr) AND CHM130: Fundamentals of Chemistry (4cr) or higher OR
- BIO201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4cr) AND BIO202: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4cr) AND CHM130: Fundamentals of Chemistry (4cr) or higher
- COM100: Fundamentals of Human Communication or higher
- Arts and Humanities (3 credits):
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits):
NTR Requirements for NDTAAS Program (41 credits):
NTR123: Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle A study of nutritional requirements across all life stages, focusing on growth, common health concerns, and maintaining dietary adequacy from birth through adolescence.
NTR127: Breastfeeding and Human Lactation An essential guide for healthcare professionals covering the physiology of milk production, feeding techniques, infant growth patterns, and clinical breastfeeding support.
NTR134: Healthy Weight for Kids Explores evidence-based strategies to help children achieve healthy weights and prevent the onset of chronic pediatric conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
NTR142: Applied Food Science A practical exploration of the scientific and chemical principles that govern professional food preparation, production, and quality control.
NTR150: Overview of Nutrition Professions A roadmap of the career landscape in dietetics, including roles in clinical nutrition, community wellness, and foodservice management.
NTR163: Orientation to Dietetic Technician Program A foundational course for newly admitted students covering program expectations, academic pathways, and the professional standards of the dietetic field.
NTR191: Nutrition Counseling Skill Development A hands-on workshop focused on mastering step-by-step communication techniques and motivational interviewing for effective client counseling.
NTR200: Human Nutrition An in-depth look at nutrient metabolism and the scientific link between dietary habits, disease prevention, and long-term health promotion.
NTR219: Community Nutrition Focuses on assessing public health needs and designing targeted nutrition education programs for diverse socioeconomic and age groups.
NTR222A: Medical Nutrition Therapy I An introduction to the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) focusing on clinical assessment, diagnostic techniques, and initial intervention planning.
NTR222B: Medical Nutrition Therapy II An advanced study of the Nutrition Care Process applied to complex medical cases, featuring sophisticated nutritional calculations and specialized disease management.
NTR223: Food Service Management Covers the operational side of nutrition, including menu planning, facility design, food procurement, and management theories for institutional settings.
NTR232A: Food and Culture A global survey of how customs, geography, and cultural attitudes influence eating behaviors and wellness practices across 15 different societies.
NTR247: Weight Management Theory A critical analysis of the physiological and environmental factors affecting body weight, comparing behavioral and clinical weight-loss methodologies.
NTR255 / NTR256: Nutrition Medical Terminology Mastery of the specialized language used in clinical dietetics, focusing on body systems, diagnostic codes, and professional medical communication.
NTR295: DT Professional Practice Internship A focused practicum covering the ethics, legal scope of practice, and professional communication required for a career as a Dietetic Technician.
NTR296: Dietetic Technician Internship A comprehensive field experience applying medical nutrition therapy and life cycle assessment across clinical, community, and foodservice environments.
NTR296A: Food Service Management Internship Specialized supervised practice focused exclusively on the leadership and operational demands of institutional foodservice departments.
NTR296B: Education and Clinical Internship Dedicated supervised practice concentrating on clinical nutrition assessment and the delivery of nutrition education in community settings.
Courses marked with asterisk () must be completed before program application with grade of “C” or better. Chemistry completion within last 5 years required. NTR200 also required before application deadline.
More curriculum details are available here.
NDT Clinical/Internship Requirements
Students complete minimum 450 hours of supervised practical experience through internship courses. With assistance from NTR295 faculty, students arrange their own internship sites and preceptors in approved facilities. Internship must be completed in-person at approved facility (not online).
Supervised Practice Components:
- NTR295: DT Professional Practice Internship (3 credits)
- NTR296: Dietetic Technician Internship (6 credits, comprehensive) OR
- NTR296A: Dietetic Technician Food Service Management Internship (2 credits) AND NTR296B: Dietetic Technician Education & Clinical Internship (4 credits)
- Minimum 450 hours supervised practical experience
- Rotations in healthcare, food service management, community nutrition, and education/wellness settings
- Students responsible for arranging internship sites with faculty guidance
- Background check, drug screening, immunizations required
- Malpractice insurance required ($25)
- Uniform/lab coat and appropriate shoes required
Special Requirements:
- Students in Colorado must be employed in hospital or similar setting when applying (Colorado distance education compliance)
- Maine students: Program meets educational requirements for Maine NDTR licensure (only state requiring NDTR licensure)
NDT Admissions Requirements
Pre-Application Requirements:
- Complete with “C” or better before application: BIO, CHM, ENG, MAT courses
- Chemistry (CHM) completion within last 5 years
- NTR200: Human Nutrition with “C” or better before application deadline
- Application period: February 1 – June 15 annually
- High school diploma or GED recommended
Progression Requirements:
- Grade of “C” or better in all required courses
- Cumulative GPA minimum 2.0 on 4.0 scale
- Complete all NTR course requirements within 3 years of beginning program
- Complete all degree requirements within 3 years
- Meet all ACEND requirements
- Minimum 20 credits from Central Arizona College
- Minimum 64 total credits
Additional Requirements:
- Arrange own internship sites and preceptors with NTR295 faculty assistance
- Background check clearance
- Drug screening
- Current immunizations
- Malpractice insurance
- Health requirements per internship facility
- Transportation to internship sites
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership recommended ($58 annually)
Embedded Certificates
Community Nutrition Worker Certificate: Earned during progression through NDTAAS degree, includes courses: NTR127 (Breastfeeding and Human Lactation), NTR134 (Healthy Weight for Kids), NTR232A (Food and Culture)
Nutrition and Health Promotion Certificate: Earned during progression through NDTAAS degree, includes courses: NTR247 (Weight Management Theory) and related nutrition education coursework
Tuition
Arizona Residents:
- $75 per credit hour (1-11 credits)
- $900 flat rate for 12-20 credits per semester ($1,350 for 12-20 credits summer session)
- Over 20 credits: additional $75 per credit hour ($112.50 summer)
- Total tuition estimate (65 credits): $5,850
- Technology fees (NTR163, NTR295): $350
- Internship fee: $200
- Estimated textbooks: $1,500
- Malpractice insurance: $25
- Background check, drug screening, immunizations: ~$127
- Uniform/lab coat and shoes: varies
- Health requirements: varies
- Transportation: varies
- Academy membership (2 years): $116
- NDTR exam fee: $140
- Total estimated cost: $8,108
Out-of-State Residents:
- $150 per credit hour (general + out-of-state tuition)
- $1,800 flat rate for 12-20 credits per semester
- Over 20 credits: additional $150 per credit hour
- Total tuition estimate (65 credits): $11,700
- Same additional fees as residents
- Total estimated cost: $13,958
Western Undergraduate Education (WUE) Program: Students from participating western states (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, Northern Mariana Islands) enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credits per semester) pay 150% of Arizona resident tuition rather than out-of-state tuition. Students must contact Registrar’s Office for WUE rate application.
Cost Breakdown Details:
- Conference/workshop fees: optional but recommended
- Other fees may be required by specific internship facilities
- Additional physician fees for health requirements not included (varies by provider)
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Dietetic Technician Program at Central Arizona College has maintained accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 1978, making it one of the most established accredited dietetic technician programs in the nation. The program is accredited through June 30, 2029.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students receive a verification statement qualifying them to take the national NDTR exam. Maine is currently the only state requiring licensure for NDTRs, and this program meets Maine’s educational and clinical experience requirements for licensure.
Program Distinctions
Vision: The leading choice for accredited online nutrition education and career excellence.
Mission: The Dietetic Technician Program at Central Arizona College serves as a TRUE Learning community by empowering students to succeed through:
- Teaching evidence-based nutrition education for pre-professional students
- Reaching students with a passion to help improve health of others with nutrition
- Understanding the importance of high-quality nutrition education and professional engagement
- Empowering students to succeed in becoming competent entry-level Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians, Registered
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate and integrate evidence-based scientific information and translate research into practice
- Practice and maintain beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for professional nutrition and dietetic technician practice
- Develop and deliver information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations
- Strategically apply principles of management and systems in provision of services
- Demonstrate leadership potential and professional growth through applying skills, knowledge, and experience required for success in nutrition and dietetics
Related Programs
- University of Arizona - Tucson