Dietary manager certificate
Passionate about managing food and people? Get your start on a career in dietary management at Stark State – at the lowest tuition in the area.
Program at a glance
DEGREE TYPE
Certificate
PROGRAM FORMAT
In person
LENGTH (FULL TIME)
2-semester certificate
3-semester certificate
Program overview
Stark State College’s dietary manager program prepares you to step into a growing field where you support nutrition therapy, dietetics, employee management and food safety.
Train to become a certified dietary manager, a certified food protection professional with the education and experience to:
- Work under the supervision of a registered dietitian in menu planning and providing nutritional care.
- Manage menus, budgeting, and food purchasing and preparation.
- Apply nutrition principles.
- Document nutrition information, including records and reports.
- Ensure food safety and enforce sanitary regulations.
- Manage work teams.
- Oversee budgeting.
- Perform supportive nutrition screening and care planning.
Program details
The dietary manager program at Stark State College is offered as a certificate program, which includes a 22-credit-hour short-term certificate and a 33-credit-hour one-year certificate. When you complete the certificate program, you’re eligible to take the national certification exam. Plus, the credits you earn can be applied toward a dietetic technician associate degree.
- Apply to Stark State College.
- Meet with an admissions counselor.
- Print the dietary manager application.
- Apply to the certificate program and complete all the requirements.
As a Stark State student, you’ll qualify for a pre-professional membership to the Association of Foodservice & Nutrition Professionals (ANFP).
As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (www.CBDMonline.org) and join the ANFP as a professional member. You earn two credentials when you pass the exam: certified dietary manager (CDM) and certified food protection professional (CFPP).
You also can earn the nationally recognized ServSafe Food Protection Certification, accredited by the American National Standards Institute – Conference for Food Protection.
Stark State’s dietary management program is approved by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP), 406 Surrey Woods Drive, St. Charles, IL 60174, 800-323-1908, ANFPonline.org.
Careers and outcomes
Dietary managers are trained to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers or senior communities, rehab facilities, correctional facilities, schools and the military.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for dietary managers is expected to exceed the average.
Dietary manager certificate student outcomes
The outcome for the CDM is based upon the certificate, not the associate degree. The licensure exam pass rate is reported b the approval agency of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP).
| Academic year | On-time graduation rate | Credential exam passage rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 80% | NA* |
| 2023-24 | 100% | NA |
| 2024-25 | 100% | NA |
*Not available due to lack of reported data.
FAQs
When you successfully complete the certificate, you’re eligible to sit for the Certifying Board of Dietary Managers exam to become a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM). Our most recent grads work in school districts, nursing homes and hospitals. You also can find employment in correctional facilities and childcare settings.
We typically have 10-15 students per program-specific class with the exception of courses that are open to the entire College.
Directed practices are part of the course curriculum. You’ll gain experience in food operations, food safety and sanitation, food management and nutritional care. The required 150 hours of field experience are precepted by qualified professionals, with a dietitian preceptor for a minimum of 25 nutrition hours.
All classes related to food and nutrition are online. The directed practice courses are in-person, and the remaining two courses are available online or in-person.
Yes. Please keep in mind that while the coursework is online, you will need flexibility to complete your field experience (i.e. directed practice hours).
Take a look at the Prospective Students document, which has more information about costs that may be incurred with the program.
Some credits may transfer depending on the courses and objectives met. General education courses can transfer to other Ohio public colleges or universities.
While this program doesn’t transfer in full to any other institution, some credits may be eligible for transfer. The program does count as 22 credits toward the associate of science degree for dietetic technician.
If you have at least two years of dietary management experience in a non-commercial setting, you may be eligible to receive credit for the non-nutritional portion of the field experience (i.e. directed practice hours). This is equivalent to up to two credits.
Related programs
Looking for more career options? Check out these other programs.
Lowest tuition around
Put your money toward your goals – not debt.
Stark State’s tuition costs up to 83% less than other area colleges and universities. Along with financial aid and scholarship opportunities, you gain the most value for your education without sacrificing quality.
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Michelle Igleheart
Program Coordinator, Dietary Programs
330-494-6170 ext. 5767
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Whether you’re just starting out, making your college comeback or looking for a change, you belong at Stark State.