Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s Dietetic Internship program has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to be reorganized into a Future Education Model Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics, becoming the first university on the Gulf Coast to receive this recognition.
Nutritional Science is a growing field, with the Louisiana Workforce Commission defining Dietitians and Nutritionists as a "Top Demand" occupation. The new model offers broadened admissions criteria, allowing more students who have completed undergraduate coursework in Nutrition access to a career in the field.
“We are excited to offer this new and innovative program to our community and beyond,” stated Kathryn Fakier, director of the program. “The Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is not only the first program of its kind in Louisiana but also along the Gulf Coast, providing greater access and opportunities to those aspiring to become registered dietitian nutritionists. This reorganization elevates the quality of the graduate program by preparing students using a competency-based education model approach, where supervised experiential learning is integrated into the graduate coursework.”
The Master of Science, Nutritional Sciences will hold a Q&A virtual information session on Feb. 28 at 6-6:30 p.m. Attendees will be able to learn about the FranU dietetics program by joining a virtual information session led by the program faculty and current students. Some of the discussion topics will include program overview, including information about the curriculum and specialty preceptors, and the simulated experiences in the Simulation Environment Teaching Hospital (SETH). Those interested can register at apply.franu.edu/register/MSNS.
The application deadline for the program is July 15.