Dietetic Technician, A.A.S. (A45310)

Admission Information

Admission  to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Dietetic Technician Program. Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Dietetic Technician program MUST meet the following requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college before being accepted into the Dietetic Technician Program:

1. Submit to the Admissions Office a completed Application for Admission.
2. Request an official high school transcript (sealed and unopened) be mailed to: Gaston College Office of Admissions, 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034-1499. The documentation listed below can be submitted in the place of a traditional high school transcript.
   
   1. Official Adult High School Transcript
   2. Official copies of GED scores
   3. Official transcript from International Correspondence School
   4. Official transcript from Home School
   5. Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university reflecting an Associate Degree or higher.
3. Request that all colleges from where credit was received submit official transcripts (sealed and unopened) to Gaston College Office of Admissions if you intend to earn transferable credits or to prove that course prerequisites have been satisfied.
4. Schedule and take the COMPASS Placement test for Reading, Writing, Math, and the Science 090 Placement Test. Students who scored 500 or higher on the Verbal or Critical Reading portion of the SAT are not required to take the Writing and Reading portions of the placement test. Students who scored 500 or higher on the Mathematics portion on the SAT are not required to take the Mathematics portion of the placement test. Official test score results must be no more than 5 years old and they must be received and evaluated by the Office of Admissions.
   Students who score a 18 or higher on the English portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Writing portion of the college’s placement test. Students who score 21 or higher on the Reading portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Reading portion of the college’s placement test. Students who score a 22 or higher on the Mathematics portion of the ACT will be exempted from the Math portion of the college’s placement test. Official test score results must be no more than 5 years old and they must be received and evaluated by the Office of Admissions.
5. Complete a New Student Online Orientation for Gaston College. Visit www.gastoncollegeonline.com and click the register button in the top right corner. You will need an active email address and your student ID number to register. Login and complete orientation after receiving an email with your username and password.
6. International students must meet all admission requirements listed under General Admission Requirements. Proof of English proficiency is required. This may be established by making a minimum score of 540 (207 on the computer) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Supervised practice activities must be completed in the United States.
7. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
8. Submit an Application to the Dietetic Technician Program.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Gaston College Application for Admission at least six weeks prior to enrolling to ensure that their information is processed. Though applicants may enroll for one semester without submitting transcripts and test scores, this information facilitates advising and smooth registration. Applicants must all meet all admission requirements before enrolling for the second semester. Applicants who decide to enroll during a later semester are responsible for contacting the Admissions Office to ensure their start semester is updated.

Additional Requirements

To be Eligible to Submit an Application to the Dietetic Technician Program Applicants Must Have:

1. Prior to entering the Dietetic Technician Program, you should complete coursework up to
   DMA 040
    ,
   DMA 050
    , SCI 090 , RED 090  and ENG 090 .
2. Applicants must acknowledge that travel “out-of-service” areas may be required for clinical fieldwork.
3. Must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better in required college courses.
4. Must have grades of “C” or better in all related courses.
5. Must have completed the required Biology and Chemistry courses within 10 years from the date of application to the program.

ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED AND APPROVED PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT IN THE PROGRAM.

Program Admission Criteria:

The following criteria must be utilized by the Dietetic Technician Admissions Committee in the selection process of recommending applicants for admission to the Dietetic Technician Program:

1. The number of related courses completed prior to submitting an application.
2. Grade Point Average (GPA) in related courses.

Students Admitted to the Dietetic Technician Program Must Have:

1. Compliance - Criminal Background Checks, Fingerprinting, and Annual Drug Screen: In order to comply with current Student Facility Affiliation Agreements students admitted into the Dietetic Technician Program will be required to complete successful Criminal Background Checks, Fingerprinting, and Drug Screens according to Gaston College procedures before being placed in a clinical facility. The facility reserves the right to deny the student access to the facility. If the student is denied access, the student will not be allowed to complete the program. Completion of clinical experience is required for the satisfactory completion of the program. More information will be provided upon conditional acceptance into the program.
2. CPR Certification: The student must be currently certified in Adult/Child/Infant (BLS) CPR.Student may take a local course at the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or take an online BLS CPR course at www.CPRTODAY.com ($29.95) or www.onlineAHA.org ($19.95). You must submit a copy of the CPR certification card prior to beginning the program.
3. Completed North Carolina Community College Student Medical Form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health, immunizations, and TB Skin Test are required before entrance into the program by date announced by the Dietetic Technician Department Coordinator.
4. Purchase a Dietetic Technician Uniform. Uniform may be ordered at PRN Uniform, 1420 Costner School Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016 or calling 704.922.9516. 

Note: Criminal Background Check - You must complete a background check using www.CertifiedBackground.com. Please follow the student instructions, using the package code on the form. Be prepared to pay a base fee of $36 with a Visa or MasterCard. Additional fees may apply if you have resided in other states or used other names. You will be given your own code to go back into the program to access your search results. Allow at least 2-5 days for the search to be completed. You must forward results or code to Compliance Specialist.

Note: Fingerprint Results - Please follow the student instructions. (1) Obtain your fingerprint card from your local law-enforcement office; (2) Complete the FBI Applicant Information Form; (3) Obtain a money order or certified check payable to the Treasure of the United States for the cost of processing; and (4) Mail all documents to the FBI address given on the instruction sheet. The results will be mailed to you - you must forward to the Compliance Specialist.

Note: Drug Screen - Please follow the student instructions. (1) Be prepared to prepay for the test ($36); (2) Report to a LabCorp site; (3) Present the “Collection Authorization Form” and a photo ID; and (4) Get a receipt. The results should be sent by fax (704.922.8943) or mail to the Compliance Specialist.

Health Requirements

1. Physical health is defined as being free of disabling or contagious disease, being able to perform fine and gross motor skills, and being able to perform normal weight-bearing activities.
2. Emotional health is defined as reacting appropriately to stressful situations, withstanding everyday environmental stresses with little difficulty, using healthy coping mechanisms, and understanding one’s own ability to cope with stressful situations. Assessment of emotional health of applicants is made through the use of physical examinations, references, letters from psychiatrists or therapists if intensive therapy is in progress or has occurred, and psychological evaluations, if necessary.
3. A completed health form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health is required before entrance into the program. Date required will be announced by the Dietetic Technician Department Chairperson.

Immunization Requirements

All students must have the results of a tuberculin skin test done within one year prior to enrollment in the Gaston College Dietetic Technician Program.  

An up-to-date TB Skin Test is required for each additional year of program enrollment. The TB Skin Test can be obtained at your physician’s office or local health department. You must be prepared to return to the physician’s office or health department within 48 hours to have the results read.

Students must complete a 2-step PPD test within the last six (6) months.

Guidelines for Completing Immunization Record

IMPORTANT - The immunization requirements must be met; or according to N.C. law, you will be withdrawn from classes without credit.

Acceptable Records of Your Immunizations May be Obtained from Any of the Following:  (Be certain that your name, date of birth, and ID Number appear on each sheet and that all forms are mailed together. The records must be in black ink and the dates of vaccine administration must include the month, day, and year. Keep a copy for your records.)

• High School Records - These may contain some, but not all of your immunization information. Contact Student Services for help if needed. Your immunization records do not transfer automatically. You must request a copy.
• Personal Shot Records - Must be verified by a doctor’s stamp or signature or by a clinic or health department stamp.
• Local Health Department.
• Military Records or WHO (World Health Organization Documents).
• Previous College or University - Your immunization records do not transfer automatically. You must request a copy. 

1. DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria): One Td booster within the last ten years.
2. Measles: One dose on or after 12 months of age; second at least 30 days later. Must repeat Rubeola (measles) vaccine if received even one day prior to 12 months of age. History of physician-diagnosed measles disease is acceptable, but must have signed statement from physician.
3. Two measles doses if entering college for the first time after July 1, 1994.
4. MMR: One dose on or after 12 months of age. Only laboratory proof if immunity to rubella or mumps disease is acceptable if the vaccine is not taken. History of rubella or mumps disease, even from a physician, is not acceptable.
5. Varicella - there must be proof of two (2) doses OR a positive antibody titer (history of disease is not acceptable proof).
6. The Hepatitis B Vaccine (recommended immunization) must be completed (series of three (3) injections) by the end of the spring semester, Freshman Year.
   
   Note: Those students who do not pursue immunization for Hepatitis B will required to sign a waiver releasing Gaston College and the Dietetic Technician Program of any responsibility for the possibility of their contracting Hepatitis B.

First Semester

• DET 110 Dietetic Technician I (8 Credit Hours)
• BIO 163 Basic Anat & Physiology (5 Credit Hours)
• ENG 111 Expository Writing (3 Credit Hours)
• MAT 110 or Higher (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 19

Second Semester

• DET 120 Dietetic Technician III (9 Credit Hours)
• CHM 130 Gen, Org, & Biochemistry (3 Credit Hours)
• CHM 130A Gen, Org, & Biochem Lab (1 Credit Hour)
• DET 115 Dietetic Technician II (2 Credit Hours)
• PSY 150 General Psychology (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 18

Third Semester

• DET 210 Dietetic Technician IV (9 Credit Hours)
• BIO 275 Microbiology (4 Credit Hours)
• PSY 241 Developmental Psych (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 114 Prof Research & Reporting (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 19

Fourth Semester

• DET 220 Dietetic Technician V (10 Credit Hours)
• COE 111 Co-op Work Experience I (1 Credit Hour)
• DET 225 Dietetic Technician VI (2 Credit Hours)
• Humanities (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 16

Total Semester Hour Credits: 72