The Graduate Certificate in Management of Child Nutrition Programs is a professional curriculum that prepares students to assume management responsibilities in school nutrition settings as child nutrition program directors and as school food service directors and managers.
This certificate program is targeted towards individuals currently working in school nutrition and foodservice programs, as employees of state or local school districts and education agencies, or those seeking such employment. The program is open to both resident degree candidates and practitioners who need to update and formalize their knowledge pertaining to management of child nutrition programs. Resident students are advised that course requirements include applied assignments that must be carried out in the school nutrition setting. Students may complete the certificate program with or without being admitted to a specific degree program. Students may complete the certificate program to fulfill elective hours as part of the M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems. Students must declare their intent to complete the certificate program in a letter to the Department of Nutrition and Food Systems before completing 6 credit hours of the courses required for the certificate.
To earn the certificate, students are required to complete 18 credit hours from NFS 581 , NFS 582 , NFS 625 , NFS 673 , NFS 690 , and NFS 715 , all with grades of B or better. Students must complete any prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in the required courses. Students may repeat a class only one time if earning a grade less than a B. Students must complete certificate requirements within four years.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants must complete the Application for Graduate Admission for Graduate School, or Application for Graduate Certificate Program on the Graduate School Website. Applicants must submit a letter of application to the graduate coordinator, Department of Nutrition and Food Systems, 118 College Drive #5172, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 or to nfsinfo@usm.edu. The letter should describe the individual’s professional goals and how this certificate program fits into those goals. The graduate program committee of the Department of Nutrition and Food Systems makes admission recommendations based on evidence of holding, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree from an institution approved by a recognized accrediting agency, and being in good standing at the last institution attended.
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