New Accelerated B.S./M.S. Degree in Nutrition
at C.W. Post Means Quicker Graduation and Certification

July 14, 2003 - The Nutrition Department of the School of Health Professions and Nursing at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville has developed a combined bachelor's/master's degree program in Nutrition which allows students to graduate in 5 years. The program will be especially helpful to individuals who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field but who wish to earn a master s degree in this important subject.

We often attract students who have a degree in another field, usually psychology or biology, said Dr. Frances Gizis, department chairman. They come here for a master's degree in nutrition but they need to complete additional major-specific undergraduate coursework to complete the bachelor of science degree in nutrition and qualify for the graduate program. We wanted to see how we could help them to complete these requirements more quickly.

The new B.S./M.S. found a way, allowing such students to shave off 12 credits from individual degree program requirements and still complete both the B.S. and M.S. in nutrition. The students take mainly major-specific courses to complete the B.S. portion of the dual degree before moving onto Master-level courses. The B.S. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association.

The graduate degree enables students to specialize in Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition and Exercise, Geriatric Nutrition or the newest nutrition concentration at C.W. Post: Eating Disorders. We work hard to initiate specialty courses that capture the interest of our students, said Dr. Gizis.

Once students complete the bachelor's degree, they can participate in a 900-hour American Dietetic Association accredited Dietetic Internship, which is required for certification as a Registered Dietitian. Under the internship, students work in different settings ranging from hospitals and medical centers, renal outpatient dialysis units and long term care facilities to outpatient counseling settings, food services and community nutrition programs. Once they have completed the bachelor s degree and internship, candidates may sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Once certified, registered dietitians may work in several fields, from clinical practice in hospitals or nursing homes to food service management or private practice counseling.

The new dual degree program has begun accepting students for the Summer and Fall 2003 semesters. Many people with a variety of educational backgrounds and interests are finding great appeal in this program, said Dr. Gizis.

C.W. Post is one of six campuses of Long Island University, the seventh largest private university in the United States. With more than 13,000 full- and part-time students, C.W. Post offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs in accountancy, business (AACSB accredited), computer science, liberal arts and sciences, library and information science, education, health professions and nursing, public service, and visual and performing arts. C.W. Post also offers doctorates in information studies and clinical psychology as well as an extensive continuing education program.

For more information, call the C.W. Post Department of Nutrition at (516) 299-2762.