Changes are being made to this program. For information, call 814-863-2676 or 800-252-3592, extension 0, and ask for the Dietetics Office.
If you are a professional in school food service or are exploring a career in child nutrition — and are seeking to broaden your professional horizons through higher education — enrolling in the online associate degree program in dietetics (School Food Service Emphasis) would be a powerful first step. This flexible, accredited program is designed to prepare you for a more rewarding career in the vital and growing field of school nutrition services.
What Can I Learn?
The associate degree in school food service management includes, but is not limited to the following topics:
- history and overview of school food service program management
- basic nutrition principles and implementing dietary guidelines
- directing the preparation of healthy cuisine
- ensuring food safety using HACCP processes
- supervision and training of food service employees
- managing food service systems to control cost and maintain quality
- financial management of food service operations
How Does the Program Work?
The courses are organized around instructional study guides with textbook readings, along with Web-based enhancements, such as online quizzes, bulletin board communication tools, and lesson submission forms. Most 3-credit courses include an average of 15 lessons: 14 content lessons and 2 proctored exams. A computer is required for admission to the program.
Earn Professional Credentials
The associate in science in dietetic food systems management (School Food Service Emphasis) is an excellent, fully accredited degree program that can prepare you for the School Nutrition Association's School Foodservice and Nutrition Specialist (SFNS) credentialing exam.
Earn Credentials along the Way
As you work toward completion of this program, you can earn professional development certificates along the way. Talk with an adviser to learn more about how these résumé-building milestones can fit into your educational path to an associate degree in dietetics.
Carry All Credits Forward
Earning this degree can be a first step toward a bachelor's degree. By choosing courses with this in mind, you can fulfill many basic requirements for a Penn State World Campus bachelor's degree in organizational leadership or letters, arts, and sciences.
