A Nutrition Assistant is a nutrition counselor who is able to work in a variety of healthcare and nutrition care settings such as hospitals, clinics, senior and child programs, schools, convalescent homes, rehabilitation centers, health spas and gyms, athletic programs, eating disorder programs and health education settings. The Nutrition Assistant also has the option of working in food systems management under the supervision of or in consultation with a Registered Dietitian.

Students interested in the Nutrition Assistant certificate must first complete the 29 units Dietetic Service Supervisor program. Upon completion of these 29 units the student will then complete 11 additional dietetic units of course work.  Students must also earn an Associate of Arts degree.  The program requires additional 300 hours of clinical field experience at various healthcare facilities.  At the completion of the Nutrition Assistant program the student will have completed 450 hours of clinical field experience (150 clinical hours for DSS and 300 hours for Nutrition Assistant).  

The Nutrition Assistant student must successfully complete a competency examination before a Nutrition Assistant certificate is awarded. The competency exam is offered at the conclusion of each semester and students can take the exam at the completion of all Nutrition Assistant courses.