Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take the Dietary Managers Course from the University of North Dakota?

The Dietary Managers course from UND is highly respected, and has an excellent pass rate for students taking the national certification examination. Students do not have to leave their home or job, and can work at their own pace, and on their own time schedule. Additionally, students can select either an online format, or the mail format at the same price.

 How does the Dietary Managers Course work?

Students apply online, by fax, or by mail for this distance education course. Students are

never required to be on campus for any part of this course. All lessons are completed by the student by mail, or online. When applying, the student must have the approval of their administrator, and RD preceptor.

What are some other details about the course?

Students must be working in foodservice, (at least part time), or be able to arrange for the 150 hours of work experience in a health care or institutional foodservice facility. This is a non-credit course, and students are not required to enroll in the University of North Dakota in order to take this course. This course is fully approved by the Dietary Managers Association, and student’s are welcome to apply for student membership in the organization, once they are enrolled in a course. At the conclusion of the course, students will receive a certificate of completion from the University of North Dakota, and a transcript showing 32 CEU’s.

When does this course start, and how long does it last?

Students can enroll at any time. Once an application and payment is received and processed, students are considered enrolled. The student’s one year time line starts two weeks after the application is processed, to allow for all paperwork to be completed, and delivery of materials.

How much does this course cost?

The cost of this course is $500. This includes the student’s manuals, preceptor’s manual, exams, grading by the instructor, and postage and handling. The only additional cost is for the required textbooks, which are ordered separately from a different resource.

 Where Do I Get My Texbooks?

To order your textbooks, call MBS Direct at 1-800-325-3252 (toll free), or fax them at

1-800-499-0143. Or order online at www.direct.mbsbooks.com/undce/htm. Ask for UND Certificate Programs, and the course number for your course, DM7B.

There are two required textbooks for the course, and three additional recommended textbooks which are optional.

How do I decide if I want the traditional (mail) version or the online version of the course?

This is totally a personal preference. Some students do not have the comfort level required to be confident with doing the course entirely online. Others do, and like this convenience. If you choose the online course, it is your responsibility to be able to master the technology, and to have the appropriate computer requirements. Remember: If you choose the online format, your Preceptor will also receive the online format, so check with the Preceptor to make sure online is right for them too.

Is Financial Aid Available for the Dietary Managers Correspondence Course?

The Education Resources Initiative, http://www.teri.org, 800-255-8374 ext. #2

Collegiate Funding Services, http://www.cfsloans.com, 866-912-7231

There are two scholarships available for the Dietary Managers course:

Ben and Ruth Gustafson Continuing Education Endowment
gustafson@mail.und.nodak.edu

Hormel Healthlabs, Inc. Dietary Managers Association Scholarship
www.dmaonline.org/educ/HHLScholarshipForm.pdf

Certificate Programs is approved as an eligible training provider for Job Service North

Dakota.

Who Can Proctor My Exams?

The proctor for your examination must be a trusted educator who is not related to you, or is not someone you work directly for, or someone well versed in foodservice management and nutrition. A proctor CAN be: a school teacher, principal, or guidance counselor, a college faculty member, a testing service center, an adult learning center, a nurse educator, or in-service director at your facility. A proctor CANNOT be a relative, a friend, your supervisor, your preceptor, or your administrator. Your Proctor information must be provided when requesting an exam. Look for the ‘Request for Exam’ form in Lessons 5, 11, and 16; or in the ‘Forms’ section in the online course.

How much time does my RD preceptor need to spend with me?

Having an RD preceptor is a requirement from the national Dietary Managers Association. The RD MUST spend a total of 50 hours with the student. This is approximately one hour per week for a year. The RD must sign off on all lessons before they are submitted to the instructor. The RD may spend less time on some lessons, and more time on others, depending on the student's needs. But - the total at the end of the course must add up to 50 hours. If you have a DTR or CDM trainer available – this person may act as the preceptor for up to 25 hours of non-nutrition related learning units. This will allow the student to utilize an RD for 25 hours in the nutrition section, and to utilize a DTR or CDM trainer for 25 hours in non-nutrition related sections.

What does a "trainer" do?

A trainer may be a dietetic technician, or a certified dietary manager. This person can be listed as a trainer for your course, as a benefit for you. They are allowed to replace up to 25 hours in non-nutrition related areas of the 50 hour requirement for the RD to spend with the student. The ‘Trainer’ may sign off on lessons in non-nutrition areas of the course.

 What must the 50 hours that the RD spends with the student include?

The 50 hours can include time spent directly with the student, time spent reviewing lessons before submission to the instructor, and time spent designing projects for the student to complete.

What if I don't finish my course work in one year?

Each student is allowed to have two - six month extensions if you need more time to complete your work. Each extension is $50.00, and can be requested one at a time. This will allow a total of two years to complete the course. Extensions begin with your original completion date, so they should be requested right away if needed. (The price for extensions will increase to $50.00 on Jan. 1, 2007).

Then, if you need more time, you can request a re-enrollment. This will cost the original course price, minus the postage and handling. However, it will allow you to continue from where you left off, and give you one more year to complete the course.

What if my RD Preceptor leaves my facility?

You must have an RD preceptor in order to complete the course. If your preceptor moves, you can ask whoever took their place to be your preceptor. Your administrator will help you with this. If this should occur, simply complete the "New Preceptor Application" form on page vi of the Foreword in Module I, or under the ‘Forms’ section in your online course. If you don't have this form, just call our office at 1-877-450-1841, and we will fax you one.

What are my options if I don’t have an RD Preceptor available?

UND offers an online RD Preceptor for any students wishing to take advantage of this option. Our online RD preceptor works with the student on each lesson, the learning experiences, and the assignments. There is an additional fee of $300 for this service, which is a very cost effective way to obtain these services.

What if I get started, and don't want to complete the course?

You can apply for a full refund (minus the $40 processing fee, and minus $30 for postage and handling) if you request a refund, and return your materials within 30 days. There are no refunds after 30 days.

What if I don't know I can't complete the course after the 30 day refund period?

If this happens, there may be someone else in your facility that you can transfer the course to. You can transfer this course once within the first six months for a transfer fee of $40.00, plus the cost of any lessons graded by the instructor. The new student will use your materials and books, and begin at the beginning of the course. This student will be using your enrollment date, so may need to use the extensions with the course.

Is there a discount for several students from one facility?

Yes, when three or more students from one facility enroll, there is a multi-student discount. The first student pays the posted course fee, and each additional student receives a $20.00 discount.

How do students successfully complete the course?

Students are required to complete 13 lessons with a grade of ‘satisfactory’, and three multiple choice examinations with an average score of 70% or better. If a student scores lower than 70% on a particular exam, and wishes to bring that score up, a re-take exam is available for a fee of $15.00. Remember, the scores from all three exams are averaged to get the 70% or better score. When all lessons and exams are complete, the student is considered to have passed the course, and is eligible to take the national certification examination.

Can I call and get grades over the phone?

No, because of the student privacy act, grades are not given over the phone, fax, or email. Grades are only providing by US mail.

How about obtaining grades when enrolled in the online course?

Because students have a secure password for their online course, grades are available for immediate viewing in the ‘gradebook’ for the online course. Lesson ‘quizzes’ are available to take multiple times to allow for enhanced learning; and although exams can only be taken once, the grades are available to view immediately. Like students in the traditional mail course, an exam re-take is available for students wishing to bring up their score. The fee for an exam re-take is $15.00.

What happens when I complete the course?

When you successfully complete the Dietary Managers Course, we send notification of this to the Dietary Managers Association. You will also receive a certificate and transcript from UND. Students completing the course are eligible to take the national certification examination. This examination is offered twice yearly, in March, and in October. You must apply for this examination by the deadlines required by the DMA. You should have information about these guidelines from the DMA, however; if you have questions about these dates, or the content of the exam, call the DMA at 1-800-323-1908. You will also find this information on their Website at: www.dmaonline.org/certification/examinfo.html

What if I start the course online, but change my mind and want the traditional format?

Students may switch from online to traditional or vice versa by contacting the Office of Certificate Programs. Students are to submit their request in writing, with payment of $40.00. At that time, materials will be mailed, and passwords for the online course revoked.

Once I am a Certified Dietary Manager, can UND help me maintain my certification?

Yes, UND offers several online or mail clock hour courses that will provide continuing education for dietary managers. When you have your national credential – CDM,CFPP (Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional), you will need continuing education every year. Courses from UND offer the same value, flexibility and learning potential, as the Dietary Managers Course.

What educational opportunities for professional advancement are available after I complete my Dietary Managers Certification course?

If you are interested in a Dietetic Technician AAS Degree, we have an option for you to consider. The University of North Dakota’s Dietary Managers Course has been approved as a launching program for the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Associate in Applied Science Online Dietetic Technician Degree. Students successfully completing the Dietary Managers Course through UND and receiving their national certification through the Dietary Managers Association are eligible to enter UMC’s Dietetic Technician program with advanced standing, waiving the first 15 - 18 credits (5-7 courses) of the Dietetic Technician online degree.