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SUNY Plattsburgh Nutrition Program Re-Accredited For 10 Years


PLATTSBURGH, NY __ The nutrition program at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh is keeping pace with the College's mission to provide a high quality education for students while preparing them for successful future careers.  The program has recently been granted re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). 

The accreditation is for a 10-year period, which began in April and continues through to the end of 2014. The SUNY Plattsburgh nutrition program was last accredited in 1995.

Dr. Jean A Coates, chair of the nutrition program, worked on the re-accreditation process. Coates believes that this re-accreditation reveals the commitment of both the staff and the students involved in the program.

"Specialized or programmatic accreditation complements institutional accreditation by giving reasonable assurance of the quality and content of the education necessary for a particular profession or field," said Coates. "Accreditation of our dietetics education program rests on the belief that this is a unique profession that requires a defined educational process based on national standards."

According to Coates, the re-accreditation of the nutrition program has direct benefits for both its current students and alumni.

"Our students would not be able to apply for dietetic internships if our program was not accredited by the ADA," she said. "In turn, securing internships approved by the ADA allows our students to take the American Dietetic Registration Exam to become registered dieticians. For alumni, it is important that they know that 'their' program has been analyzed by dietetic professionals and has been determined that this program meets the high standards developed by and for professionals."

Dr. Robert Golden, provost and vice president for academic affairs, congratulated the nutrition program's staff and students for their efforts in the re-accreditation process.

"This accreditation of the nutrition program is another indication of the program's quality in teaching, curriculum and successful alumni," said Golden. "I would like to express my thanks to the faculty for their hard work on this accreditation effort."    

The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education is the ADA's accrediting agency for educational programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians. The Commission establishes and enforces accreditation standards that ensure the quality and improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.     

The nutrition program was established at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1966. Currently, there are about 75 students enrolled in the program. During the last 20 years, 272 students have graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.

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