Dietary Management (Applied) Certificate of Achievement

This Applied Certified Dietary Management Certificate of Achievement leverages the existing knowledge, skills, and abilities each student brings into the program as it prepares students to progress in their careers and sits for the nationally recognized Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Credentialing Exam which is certified by the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers® (CBDM). The pre-planned sequencing of coursework and competencies builds on prior learning so that students are best prepared to succeed as they move through the coursework. For students with work experience, this program will provide them with the knowledge and skills to move up the career ladder to a manager role in the foodservice industry.                              

Coursework develops the core knowledge and occupational competencies required of Certified Dietary Managers, including nutrition fundamentals, foodservice operations, personnel supervision, effective communication, sanitation and food safety, and business and regulatory practices. Students completing the certificate gain the skills to plan, organize, lead, and evaluate daily foodservice operations while supporting basic nutrition care under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian

Graduates may pursue careers such as Certified Dietary Manager (CDM, CFPP), Dietary Manager, Food Service Supervisor, Director of Food Service, and Account Manager. Food and nutrition service managers are employed in long-term care facilities, hospitals, senior living communities, schools, correctional facilities, and other service-oriented organizations.

This program aligns with nationally recognized standards and fully prepares students to take the Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) Credentialing Exam, administered by the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM®).

The certificate ensures students develop the core occupational competencies required of Certified Dietary Managers, including applying fundamental nutrition principles, managing foodservice operations, supervising and training personnel, maintaining regulatory standards for sanitation and food safety, and performing essential business and administrative functions needed to successfully operate food and nutrition service departments across healthcare and other non-commercial settings. This certificate prepares students to take nationally recognized Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Credentialing Exam which is certified by the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers® (CBDM).  

Effective September 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established that a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) is one of the approved qualifications of food and nutrition service director in long-term care facilities (Part 483 to Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations) in the absence of a full-time Registered Dietitian.

This law puts this certificate in higher demand to meet with the compliance requirements. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for this profession is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034 which is much faster than the average rate for all occupation.

In healthcare setting, dietary managers often run foodservice and nutrition departments, typically working in tandem with Registered Dietitians and other members of healthcare teams. They may provide supportive nutrition screening, documentation, and care planning. Other areas of work include long-term care facilities, senior living communities, schools, correctional facilities and other non-commercial foodservice settings. Because of the extensive training in management and human service administration, some nutrition and foodservice managers oversee multiple service-oriented departments (e.g., laundry, housekeeping, and other) within their organizations. Yet others work for corporations in areas such as multi-site management of foodservice operations, employee training, or sales. Career options include positions such as:

• Certified Dietary Manager
• Dietary Manager
• Director of Food Service
• Food Service Supervisor
• Account Manager

This program builds on the learner’s pre-existing skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies. For those who are currently working in foodservice industries, this program will meet the training required to take the nationally recognized CDM credentialing exam and move up the career ladder to a manager role.

Effective September 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established that a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) is one of the approved qualifications of food and nutrition service director in long-term care facilities (Part 483 to Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations) in the absence of a full-time Registered Dietitian. This program builds on the learner’s pre-existing skills, knowledge, abilities, and competencies. Those currently working in the foodservice industry can demonstrate their skills and move quickly through the program. This program meets the training required to take the nationally recognized CDM credentialing exam, allowing these learners to move up the career ladder to a manager role.

Coastline college currently offers a similar certificate, Certified Dietary Management Certificate of Achievement in an asynchronous, online modality. This Dietary Management (Applied) Certificate of Achievement is offered in an alternate educational delivery model called direct assessment (DA), competency-based education (CBE). This approach to mastering the program's competencies on a learner-driven schedule will supplement the existing, traditional, time-bound Certified Dietary Management Certificate of Achievement.

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