Associate of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer (AS-T) Merritt College

The Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer (AS-T Nutrition and Dietetics) degree is intended to meet the lower-division requirements for nutrition and dietetics majors or majors that have been deemed similar in the California State University (CSU) system.

The degree prepares students to function in a variety of nutrition, public health, and clinical settings and is for students who seek to transfer to a CSU institution or to prepare for a career in nutrition and dietetics by meeting the requirements to work in a variety of health and wellness settings.

Successful completion of the Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T Nutrition and Dietetics) affords students specific guarantees for transfer to the California State University (CSU) system such as admission to a CSU with junior status, priority admission to their local CSU campus and to a program or major in nutrition and dietetics or similar major. Students transferring to a CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 semester or 90 quarter units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree.

To qualify for the Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T Nutrition and Dietetics), students are required to complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to a California State University, including both of the following:

• The California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and
• 29-30 semester units with a grade of “C” or better in the major (or “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No-Pass” basis) and an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.

Peralta Colleges/Faiza Ali

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Communicate with clients and colleagues in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
• Provide and maintain the highest level of personal ethical behavior.
• Utilize up-to-date, evidence-based practices in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
• Communicate effectively orally, and in writing, in a health care or community nutrition environment, whether working with children, families, or seniors.
• Advocate within the community for the continued support of health and nutrition.

Program Requirements

Major Core Courses

• Microbiology 5
• General Chemistry 5
• Nutrition 4
• Food-Production Systems 3
• Introduction to General Psychology 3

Major Elective Courses

Group A Select two courses for 9-10 units from the following:

• Human Anatomy 5 or Human Physiology 5
• Organic Chemistry 5 or Introduction to Statistics 4

Total Units for the Major 29-30

Total Degree Units (maximum) 60

Those completing the Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T Nutrition and Dietetics) will be able to transfer to CSU campuses that will prepare them for a variety of careers in nutrition and dietetics such as community nutrition specialist, teaching nutrition education, working as nutrition assistant in a hospital setting, or becoming a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In addition, students may choose to pursue advanced study in a variety of graduate programs after receiving their baccalaureate degrees. With a baccalaureate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or a similar baccalaureate degree, students are eligible to apply for a dietetic internship through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to become a Registered dietitian.