Food and Nutrition Science Graduate Certificate Program

The Graduate Certificate Program in Food and Nutrition Science fulfills the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 2022 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards for Dietetic Internships. The program blends theoretical and practical principles of Dietetics in didactic and supervised practice settings. Students will gain experience in all areas of Dietetics Practice, including Food Service Systems and Management, Community and Public Health Nutrition, Clinical Dietetics, and Research. Students who successfully complete the program will be issued a Verification Statement and will be eligible to sit for the national credentialing exam for Registered Dietitians. The Verification Statement is the eligibility document that allows one to apply to take the Registered Dietitian national credentialing examination. Admittance into the VSU Dietetics Internship Program does not guarantee that a Verification Statement will be issued. As entry-level practitioners, graduates of the program provide quality nutrition services to clients and show sensitivity and responsiveness to the community.

Curriculum Requirements:

Number of Credit Hours: 16 credit hours

Courses:

• FANS 501: Advanced Practice in Dietetics (3 semester hours)
• FANS 540: Clinical, Food and Community Services in Dietetics I (5 semester hours)
• FANS 550: Clinical, Food and Community Services in Dietetics II -5 semester hours
• FANS 570: Food and Nutrition Science Research Methodology (3 semester hours)

Course Descriptions:

FANS 501: Advanced Practice in Dietetics -3 semester hours F This course is designed to prepare students for the supervised practice component of the Dietetic Internship Program. The course will focus on advanced principles of food, nutrition and dietetics principles required for professional practice as a Registered Dietitian.

FANS 540: Clinical, Food and Community Services in Dietetics I- 5 semester hours F This course is designed to accompany the supervised practice component of The Virginia State University Dietetic Internship Program (VSU DI). The course will focus on the theory of clinical, food and community services. 400 hours of field experience are required. Interns will be expected to develop professionally as they practice instituting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics values.

FANS 550: Clinical, Food and Community Services in Dietetics II - 5 semester hours Sp This is a continuation course that is designed to accompany the supervised practice component of the Virginia State University Dietetic Internship Program (VSU DI). The course will focus on the theory of clinical, food and community services. 400 hours of field experience are required. Interns will be expected to develop professionally as they practice instituting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics values.

FANS 570: Food and Nutrition Science Research Methodology - 3 semester hours Su This course is designed to accompany the research laboratory component of The Virginia State University Dietetic Internship Program (VSU DI). The course will focus on applying food and nutrition laboratory techniques to a research question. Students are expected to prepare a manuscript and poster and present their findings at a local, state or national conference. 300 hours of laboratory experience are required. Interns will be expected to develop professionally as they practice instituting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics values.