The Clinical Nutrition MS program in the School of Public Health and Health Professions has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, ACEND, for the next seven years, the longest term possible.

The accreditors made their site visit to the school in October 2023 and conducted a thorough evaluation. No additional follow-ups were required, highlighting the strength and quality of the program.

“The achievement of a full seven-year accreditation term from ACEND for our Clinical Nutrition MS graduate program signifies a seal of excellence and rigor, affirming the dedication of our faculty to uphold the highest standards in dietetics education,” says Nicole Becklem, the program’s director.

“For students and prospective students, it offers assurance of a comprehensive curriculum that not only imparts foundational knowledge but also has embedded advanced competencies essential for future dietetics practice. Being the sole, fully accredited, in-person graduate program in dietetics in Buffalo underscores the prestige and leadership of our department within the School of Public Health and Health Professions at UB, positioning graduates for success in diverse roles, including management, interprofessional collaboration and high-level practice.”

The factors ACEND mentioned in its evaluation of the program included:

• Collegiality and support of faculty and administrators.
• Interprofessional education among health care professions.
• Diverse on-site experiences and dedication of preceptors.
• Competency assessment methods.
• Curriculum innovation and program directors’ leadership.

“The Clinical Nutrition program at UB has been training exceptional clinicians for more than 20 years,” adds David Hostler, chair of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, where the program is housed. “This excellent result from the accreditation visit is the result of the dedication of our nutrition faculty to the students and the program.”

Nutrition and dietetics programs voluntarily apply to ACEND, part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for accreditation to demonstrate their compliance with accreditation standards. Among other factors, the accreditation process looks at whether schools and programs provide value to educational institutions and programs while protecting students and the public interest.