FEM Dietetics Certificate Program for the Future Education Model Graduate Program (GP)

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I. Admission Requirements

The FEM Dietetics Certificate Program is a very competitive program with approximately 5 spots per year. Space varies depending on the number of students admitted into the 2-year GP as the combined maximum number of students allowed is 25 per cohort. A DPD verification statement is NOT required, but all students must have completed the prerequisite coursework as outlined below and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have met all year 1 course competencies from the GP. Transcripts need to be evaluated by the GP Director to confirm all year 1 course competencies have been met with a grade of B or higher in order to receive permission from the GP Director to apply to FEM Dietetic Certificate program. The Department uses a rubric for evaluating each applicant and scores points for: overall GPA; grades in nutrition and math/science courses; a personal statement; letters of recommendation; work, volunteer, or nutrition experience; and an interview. After acceptance into the program, students can request an assessment of prior learning to be waived from a course(s) or supervised experiential learning. Students must use the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) to apply for the GP. DICAS charges $50 for the first program you apply to and $25 for each additional program. First-round applications are due the first Friday of January (check DICAS for the specific due date), with acceptance notification no later than March 1. Students must commit to the program through submission of the program fee and signed program acceptance letter no later than March 15. Notification and commitment dates are set by ACEND. If spots are remaining, we will take applications on rolling admission through April.

Admission requirements include the following:

1. Students must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

2. Students must submit transcripts that show they have completed the following courses at undergraduate or above level with a grade of C or above:

A. Biology
B. Chemistry I
C. Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
D. Anatomy & Physiology
E. Human Nutrition

3. Students must have to taken graduate courses to meet year 1 course competences from the GP that are approved by the GP Director.

4. Applications should provide the following information:

A. Minimum of two letters of recommendation, preferably from current or former nutrition faculty. Please ask recommenders toevaluate your ability to handle graduate nutrition work and potential success as a Registered Dietitian.
B. Personal statement that discusses in detail why you want to pursue an MS degree in Nutritional Sciences, why you are applying to NCCU and why you want to be a Registered Dietitian.
C. Resume that includes education, honors/awards, leadership, nutrition specific work or volunteer experience, general work experience, and community service.

5. Students must complete a face-to-face, telephone or video interview as requested.

6. If accepted, students will be required to submit a Program Fee of $500 and submit a signed commitment letter to hold their spot.

7. Once accepting a spot, students will be required to apply to NCCU Graduate School (application fee of $50 and enrollment fee of $100).

8. Once accepting a spot, students may request an assessment of prior learning by May 1st prior to entering the program. Students arerequired to provide evidence of meeting competencies to a program review committee. Evidence of competence may include:

A. Transcripts from accredited universities

B. Course assignments or projects

C. Work experience (i.e. employer reference, resume, etc.)

II. Program Requirements

FEM Dietetics Certificate Program Requirements - 18 hours*

NSCG 5870 - Food Industry Fundamentals: Science, Management & Safety (3)
NSCG 5910 - Nutrition Through the Life Cycle (3)
NSCG 5930 - Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy (3)
NSCG 5940 - Concepts in Dietetics and Nutrition Practices (1)
NSCG 5950 - Dietetics Seminar (2)
NSCG 6010 - Supervised Experiential Learning I (2-6)
*Depending on prior learning assessment course requirements may vary due to competencies that need to be met for an individual student. All students must have a minimum of 18 graduate credits.

Assessment of Prior Learning/Experience

Students may request an assessment of prior learning or experience to waive a course(s) and/or supervised experiential learning (SEL). The goal is to provide an opportunity for more advanced learning or training. Students are unlikely to be approved unless the course was at the graduate level* or experience was extensive. Students must meet the competencies required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) that are assigned to a course or SEL. Students without a graduate degree who are approved to waive a course(s) must replace it with an approved alternate course to meet credit requirements to earn a graduate degree. Students must submit requests after acceptance into the program by May 1st.

For course waivers, students must submit the following:

A. Transcript showing their grade of B or above in the course and that the course was taken in the last five years.
B. Syllabus or syllabi for the course(s)
C. Any course assignments (with grade) needed to demonstrate accomplishment of a course competency.
D. Any additional materials requested by the committee needed to assess completion of a competencies.

For SEL waiver, students must submit the following:

A. Detailed explanation of the activities or duties performed, when they occurred and how they meet the SEL competencies.
B. Signed letter from a supervisor that verifies the activities and when they were performed.
C. Any additional materials needed to demonstrate accomplishment of a SEL competencies.
D. Any additional materials requested by the committee needed to assess completion of a competency.

Review of Assessment of Prior Learning or Activities:

The program director will approve or deny course waivers or substitutions with electives based on meeting the required course competencies. The program director and faculty preceptor will both review SEL waiver material to approve or deny the waiver or substitution with alternate SEL based on meeting the required SEL competencies.

III. Exit Requirements

1. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

2. Completion of 18 graduate credits from NCCU.

3. Conferred master’s degree from prior university.

4. Completion of 15 hours of community service.

5. Attendance at 3 professional meetings.

6. Successful completion of minimum of 1075 hours supervised experiential learning.

7. All SEL end-of-rotation evaluations by site preceptors must show completion of all competencies at the designated level (know, shows, does) or have an alternate assignment at the designate level (knows, shows, does) that is approved by the GP director.

8. Successful completion of a Dietetics Comprehensive Examination with a score of 85% or above.

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