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Candidacy for Non-U.S. Based Programs


ACEND offers accreditation for international programs for all program types including associate-, bachelor-, and graduate-level, as well as supervised practice experience. It is highly recommended that any institution considering development of a new nutrition and dietetics education program for ACEND® accreditation schedule a complimentary consultation with ACEND staff early in the development process, complete all ACEND web-based education courses, and attend an ACEND-sponsored program director workshop on the accreditation standards.

The Candidacy for Accreditation Process includes:

  • An Eligibility Application Review
  • A Self-study Report
  • An On-site Visit

These steps allow ACEND to verify the program is progressing toward compliance with the Accreditation Standards and demonstrates institutional readiness to implement the program.

Procedures for applying for ACEND accreditation can be found in ACEND Policy and Procedure Manual.

ACEND Decision Calendar

The ACEND Board follows the decision calendar for candidacy program reviews.

Inquiries

The ACEND staff at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA responds to inquiries and provides assistance to organizations before, during and after the accreditation process. For more information, call 312-899-0040, ext. 5400 or email ACEND.

Eligibility Applications for Programs Seeking ACEND Accreditation

To be eligible to apply, programs must be in operation and offer a degree equivalent to the U.S. degree level requested. Programs seeking eligibility may submit a digital copy of the eligibility application and the fee for international programs. The application must be submitted electronically in a single PDF file.

ACEND uses a tiered fee schedule for international programs based on the World Bank Country Classification. See the ACEND fee schedule page for more information.

References

Find an ACEND-Accredited Program

ACEND has more than 600 accredited programs across the United States and select countries internationally, with in-person and online options. Use the search filters to find the program that fits your needs.