Support Nutrition. Promote Healing. Advance Care.
Deliver expert nutritional care that enhances quality of life.
Prepare for rewarding leadership roles in healthcare food service operations. Owens’ Dietary Manager Certificate program provides the comprehensive knowledge and skills you need to plan and manage therapeutic and non-therapeutic meal services that support patient recovery and promote overall well-being.
As a dietary manager, you’ll master complete food service operations—from strategic menu planning and procurement to dynamic team leadership and precise meal preparation. You’ll discover the fascinating science behind diverse nutritional needs and learn to apply cutting-edge, evidence-based practices that ensure every meal becomes a powerful tool for healing and recovery.
You’ll gain comprehensive expertise in food production, sanitation, and personnel supervision while developing a deep understanding of nutritional requirements across varied populations. Your specialized skills will become the vital foundation that accelerates recovery and transforms quality of life for those in your care through exceptional, safe food service delivery in clinical and residential care settings.
What distinguishes high-performing dietary managers:
- Exemplary Leadership: Effectively guide and motivate food service teams while ensuring seamless operations across diverse healthcare environments.
- Strategic Problem Solving: Demonstrate adaptability and critical thinking to address challenges that directly influence patient outcomes and nutritional care.
- Professional Expertise: Serve as a reliable authority in nutrition, food service management and emerging technologies, consistently upholding best practices and regulatory standards.
Small Classes. Expert Guidance
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. Combined with our small class sizes, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Technical Certificate
Department
Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality
Required Credit Hours
26
An Inside Look
150
Hours of field experience (clinicals)—real-world experience built into training
14:1
Student-to-faculty ratio, offering a personalized learning environment
Lead Food Service With Clinical Insight
You’ll develop the clinical and technical competencies essential for safe, effective food service in healthcare environments. From day one of class, you’ll engage in applied learning focused on nutrition science, food safety and therapeutic meal preparation. As the program progresses, you’ll advance your skills in supervision, purchasing, cost control and industry-standard software systems.
This program’s curriculum prepares you to earn the ServSafe Manager Certification and Ohio Department of Health Manager Certification in Food Protection (Level II) through the NRAEF certification exam. These industry-recognized certifications demonstrate your proficiency in food handling and sanitation standards.
Graduate job-ready with 150 hours of supervised clinical laboratory experience in healthcare settings, equipped to support patient care through evidence-based dietary management. Step directly into your career or advance your education through Owens’ Culinary Arts, AAS program.
Career Outcomes
Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the credentialing exam from the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM). Launch a rewarding career helping patients achieve their health and nutrition goals.
Your specialized expertise in dietary counseling, dietetics and clinical nutrition opens doors across high-demand healthcare settings. Work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and community programs—where your skills make a real difference in people’s wellbeing and recovery.
Explore the employment data to understand trends in our area.
In Their Words
“College is a big step, and launching into a world filled with adventure can seem a little daunting. After our years at Owens, we are prepared for whatever comes next.”
Lucy Ross, Food, Nutrition and Hospitality, ’23
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.
Accreditation
The Dietary Manager Certificate Program is approved by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Personnel (ANFP) through April 9, 2028. Completion of the certificate qualifies graduates to take the nationally recognized CDM Credentialing Exam offered through the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM).
anfponline.org | CBDMonline.org