Nutrition Department
M.S. Nutrition and Wellness:
Certification Options
All students interested in pursuing certification options should select elective courses in consult with his or her
academic advisor during the pursuit of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness degree. These certifications are not a part
of the program or degree requirements, but rather the degree assists in the preparation for the external certification
examinations, dependent upon the choice of courses.
Dietetics Practice Verification Statement
Upon completion of this master degree coursework, including the Dietetics concentration,
the student will receive an American Dietetic Association (ADA) Commission on Accreditation for
Dietetic Education (CADE) Practice Verification Statement. This Verification enables the graduate to
take the Registered Dietitian examination administered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR).
Upon receipt of a passing score, the student meets the eligibility requirements to become a nationally
registered and Illinois licensed dietitian.
Sports Dietetics CDR Board Certification
The sports nutrition concentration was developed using the content outline for Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics. Through May 31, 2009, completion of a Master of Science degree in nutrition with a sports nutrition emphasis contributes to meeting 1,000 of the 1,500 specialty practice hours required to sit for the national Sports Nutrition Specialty Certification exam administered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). More information about this new (March 2006) Certification by CDR is
posted at: http://www.cdrnet.org/whatsnew/Sports.htm.
ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor certification
This American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification means one is certified to conduct fitness testing and designs, and implements programs for low- to moderate-risk clients and for individuals with controlled diseases. Students completing the Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness with the Exercise Physiology concentration will have the opportunity to meet the knowledge and skills appropriate for this credential, depending upon the concentration electives chosen. Students are encouraged to enroll in the exercise physiology lab courses as part of their concentration electives.
ACSM Exercise Specialist certification
This American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification means one demonstrates competence in graded exercise testing, exercise prescription and leadership, emergency procedures, counseling and health education for individuals with low- to moderate-risk and for patients with known cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic diseases. Students completing the Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness with the Exercise Physiology concentration may have the opportunity to meet the knowledge and skills appropriate for this credential depending upon their level of field experience and courses chosen.
Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES)
These specialists are those who have met the standards of competence established by
National Commission for
Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and have successfully passed the
CHES examination. Health Educators are professionals who design, conduct and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people. These activities can take place in a variety of settings that include schools, communities, health care facilities, businesses, colleges and government agencies.
The CHES examination is a competency-based tool used to measure possession,
application and interpretation of knowledge necessary for health educators in the
seven areas of responsibility:
- Assess individual and community needs for health education;
- Plan health education strategies, interventions, and programs;
- Implement health education strategies, interventions, and programs;
- Conduct evaluation and research related to health education;
- Administer health education strategies, interventions, and programs;
- Serve as health eduction resource person; and
- Communicate and advocate for health and health education.
Prior to taking the exam, students must have completed at least 25 undergraduate and/or graduate semester hours of course work with specific preparation addressing the seven areas of responsibility mentioned previously.
Students completing the Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness (M.S.N.W.) with the Health Education concentration may have the opportunity to meet the knowledge and skills appropriate for this credential depending upon the concentration electives chosen and previous coursework in health education.
Students who are enrolled in the M.S.N.W. program who do not have any work experience are strongly encouraged to take
NTR 685 Applied Program Evaluation.
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