Southeast Missouri State’s applied nutrition master’s program earns reaccreditation

Southeast Missouri State University’s Master of Science in applied nutrition has earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the university announced Monday, Sept. 9.

SEMO’s nutrition and dietetics graduate program is one of 88 ACEND-accredited programs in the United States and one of four in Missouri. SEMO’s Bachelor of Science in nutrition is also accredited.

“The most exciting part is that we were approved to offer many options that will keep our program flexible and adaptable,” Joel Ramdial, nutrition instructor and program director at SEMO, said in a news release. “The options built into the program allow students from different backgrounds, including non-traditional students, to complete our program. We are accredited as an online program with options to complete remote field experience.”

Accreditation is important for students within the nutrition and dietetics program as those seeking a registered dietitian credential are required to attend an ACEND-accredited program.

The accreditation process requires a program to conduct a “self-study” to “assess the development, assembly and documentation of administrative and curricular components of the program.” The applied nutrition graduate program underwent its first accreditation site visit in 2023. Site visitors met with students, graduates, field experience preceptors, faculty, program stakeholders, advisory boards and SEMO’s support staff to ensure it meets ACEND standards.

“The self-study and site visit reinforced many excellent aspects of our program and also led to several program improvements,” Ramdial said. “As a result of the accreditation process, we are better prepared for the future and have implemented flexible processes to facilitate students from many backgrounds.”

More information about SEMO’s M.S. in applied nutrition, and its nutrition and dietetics program in general, is available at www.semo.edu.