Dietary Manager

Barton Community College offers flexible academic options to help you begin or advance your career in food and nutrition services.

Our Dietary Manager Certificate program prepares students for the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM, CFPP) credential, a nationally recognized certification that qualifies professionals to lead foodservice operations in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and more. The program is available fully online and designed to accommodate working professionals with field experience requirements that can often be completed at your current workplace.

For students interested in continuing their education, Barton offers transfer-focused degree pathways Associate in Science Emphasis including: Dietary Management, Pre-Dietetics, and Nutrition and Health.

These programs provide a strong foundation for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue careers as registered dietitians, nutritionists, or health educators. Whether you're looking to enter the workforce or pursue advanced study, Barton’s Dietary Management program offers the flexibility, affordability, and support to help you meet your goals.

Barton Benefits

At Barton, our areas of study are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to thrive in today’s world. Whether you're just beginning your educational journey or advancing your career, we offer flexible and rigorous programs that support your goals.

Why Barton?
Steps to Success

Why Barton?

Flexibility
100% online lecture courses let you study on your schedule—day or night. Field experience courses can often be completed at your current job site. Financial aid is available for eligible students in all programs.
Convenience
Fully online coursework means no commuting and no set class times. Continue working while advancing your education. Easily enroll in Barton Online courses year-round.
Support
Receive dedicated academic advising and access to an online orientation to help you get started and stay on track.
Opportunity
Seamlessly move from certificate programs into associate degree pathways. Barton has maintained a strong partnership with Kansas State University for over a decade, supporting smooth transfer and continued education.

Steps to Success

How to Get Started

Apply for Admission
Complete the Admissions Application and select your program of interest.
Apply for Financial Aid
Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to submit your FAFSA. For assistance, contact financialaid@bartonccc.edu.
Submit Transcripts
Send official high school/GED and any college transcripts to Barton Community College.
Register for Classes
Enroll through Barton Online and begin your journey!

Get Ready for Your CDM Exam in Just 2 Weeks!

Barton Online offers a focused, two-week intensive review course designed to help you confidently prepare for the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) exam. This one-credit hour online course is available every January, May, and August—perfectly timed to align with your certification goals. Strengthen your knowledge, refresh key concepts, and boost your test-taking confidence with Barton’s expert-led CDM Exam Review.

This $160 course includes:

Six hours of live sessions via web/phone with instructor
Lectures on all five content areas
CDM exam study tips
Math and formula practice
Practice Exams

Because this is a special offering, please contact Emily Cowles at cowlese@bartonccc.edu directly to learn more or to begin the simple enrollment process today.

Become a Cougar

Apply to Barton

Complete the Admissions checklist of requirements to become a Cougar today.

Enroll Today!

Barton classes are affordable and accessible, with sessions starting throughout the year.

Financial Aid

You have many options to help you accomplish yours goals and we're here to help!

Fueling Futures Through Nutrition Leadership

Barton Community College offers flexible and affordable options for students interested in diet, nutrition, and foodservice management. Whether you're looking to begin a career or advance in your current role, our program is designed to help you succeed in the growing field of dietary management.

Want to learn more? Visit our Dietary Manager FAQ for answers to common questions and program details.

Certified Dietary Manager

Dietary Managers (CDM, CFPP) specialize in providing optimum nutrition care through foodservice management in hospitals, long-term care, schools, correctional facilities and other non-commercial foodservice settings.

CDM, CFPP and Degree

This is an option for those interested in becoming a CDM, CFPP first and then wanting an associate’s degree. In this option you may transfer to a bachelor’s program, including a dietetics program to potentially become a Registered Dietitian.

Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians (RD) are professionals who translate the science of food and nutrition to enhance the well-being of individuals and groups.

Nutrition and Health

This emphasis can lead to opportunities in public health and wellness, such as working with health departments, leading community wellness program, and conducting research on health issues.

**New CMS Requirement** The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final regulations for long-term care facilities and the CDM, CFPP is listed first amongst qualifications for the newly designated Director of Food and Nutrition Services. Read the full article on the ANFP website.

Degree Maps

Dietary Manager Certificate
Associate in Science Degree – Emphasis in Dietary Management
Associate in Science Degree – Dietetics
Associate in Science Degree – Nutrition and Health

View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).

Kansas State University Partnership

The Dietetics and Nutrition & Health programs participate in the Kansas State University Direct Link initiative.

Please contact Emily Cowles at cowlese@bartonccc.edu if you have questions about this pathway. For questions about this type of a degree, please refer to the K-State website to learn about the options for this degree and curriculum requirements.

Dietary Manager Certificate Program

Learn more about Barton's Dietary Manager Certificate Program:

Approved training program through the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals. (ANFP)
16 credit hour online program to help prepare you for certification as a dietary manager.
Courses in sanitation, foodservice management, nutrition, and human resource management. (ALL online)
Recommend completion time is 32 weeks but we work to best accommodate your needs.
Program offers 120 hours of classroom studies and 180 hours of field experience.
Can be completed in as little as one semester but recommendation is 2-3 semesters.
You can earn credit for your work experience if you have a minimum of two years' experience in a managerial capacity in non-commercial foodservice.
Students must be authorized by a healthcare facility and Registered Dietitian to complete the field experience. Field experience materials are offered online, but actual field experience hours must be completed in a local healthcare facility.
Students are eligible for the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) student membership.
Students completing the certificate are eligible to take the nationally recognized CDM Credentialing Exam and become an ANFP Professional member.
If you are looking to qualify through ANFP Pathways II or V our classes meet the nutrition and foodservice management course requirement.

Please review the FAQ and Program Handbook for more information.

Dietary Management Empahasis (Associate in Science)

Learn more about Barton's Associate in Science with an Emphasis in Dietary Management:

Coursework in general education and life sciences to meet associate degree requirement and provide a foundation for the bachelor degree.
This emphasis includes dietary manager courses so you can obtain your CDM, CFPP credential first and then transfer to a Bachelor’s program, including a dietetics program to become a Registered Dietitian.
Partnership with Kansas State University:
- The Associate in Science degree from Barton fulfills the first two year requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics offered by Kansas State University.
- Seamless articulation agreement to ensure that students are taking the correct courses for transfer.
- All courses offered online
- Academic advising for students at both Barton and K-State.

Pre-Dietetics Emphasis (Associate in Science)

Learn more about Barton's Associate in Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Dietetics:

Coursework in general education and life sciences to meet associate degree requirement and provide a foundation for the bachelor degree.
Program set up for transfer to a Bachelor of Science program in Dietetics
Partnership with Kansas State University:
- The Associate in Science degree from Barton fulfills the first two year requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics offered by Kansas State University.
- Seamless articulation agreement to ensure that students are taking the correct courses for transfer.
- All courses offered online
- Academic advising for students at both Barton and K-State

Nutrition and Health Emphasis (Associate in Science)

Learn more about Barton's Associate in Science with an Emphasis in Nutrition and Health:

Coursework in general education and life sciences to meet associate degree requirement and provide a foundation for the bachelor degree.
Partnership with Kansas State University:
- The Associate in Science degree from Barton fulfills the first two year requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Health offered by Kansas State University.
  - Note: this bachelor degree does not meet the academic requirements needed to become a Registered Dietitian.
- Seamless articulation agreement to ensure that students are taking the correct courses for transfer.
- All courses offered online
- Academic advising for students at both Barton and K-State.

Occupational Outlook

Foodservice Managers

Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033
The median annual wage for food service managers was $63,060 in May 2023
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Food Service Managers

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $69,680 in May 2023
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Dietitians and Nutritionalists

Barton - Kansas State University (K-State) Partnership

The dietetics program at Kansas State University (K-State) is recognized nationally and internationally for the quality of its graduates. By utilizing multimedia delivery systems, K-State offers professional courses for the dietetics degree program via distance education. Articulation agreements have been formed between Barton and K-State guaranteeing a student’s seamless transition from each academic program and between the institutions. Each segment of the program is designed to build upon the other.

Before applying to the K-State Dietetics program, out of state students should read the disclosure requirements related to authorization to offer distance education courses and programs within your state of residence, as each state is unique. Visit K-State Dietetics for more information.

The didactic program in dietetics (DPD) meets the academic requirements set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Upon completion of the didactic program, students must apply and be accepted into an accredited dietetic internship to qualify to take the national examination to become a Registered Dietitian.

Admission into the Kansas State University didactic program requires a B or better grade in all science classes and a lifetime GPA of 3.0 or better.

For more information on any Barton/K-State 2+2 programs, contact Jennifer Pfortmiller at (620) 786-1188 or jdunn@k-state.edu.

Discover Career Paths

Visit the What Can I Do with My Major? webpage to find helpful resources on career paths, employers and more!

What can you do as a Certified Dietary Manager, CFPP? Check out the following webpage to learn more about this profession:

What can you do an Registered Dietitian?

Admissions

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