Future Education Model

The ACEND^® Standards Committee has been developing standards and competencies for a new model for education in nutrition and dietetics with the purpose of advancing the profession and protecting the public.

The ACEND^® Board released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Associate, Bachelor and Graduate Degree Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND^® invites programs interested in being accredited under these standards to apply to be an early adopter demonstration program.

Future Education Model Accreditation Standards

Future Education Model Accreditation Standards Documents

• Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Associate Degree Programs (Revised December 14, 2020)
• Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Bachelor's Degree Programs (Revised January 25, 2019)
• Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Graduate Degree Programs (Revised January 25, 2019)

Guidance Information and Templates for the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards

• Guidance Information for Future Education Model Programs
• Guidelines for Partnership (Updated March 5, 2021)
• Templates for Future Education Model Standards

Competencies and Performance Indicators in the Future Education Model Standards

For information on practice illustrations and demonstration of assessment for each of the competencies refer to Appendixes A, B and C in the Guidance Information document.

• Competencies and Performance Indicators for Associate Degree Programs
• Competencies and Performance Indicators for Bachelor's Degree Programs
• Competencies and Performance Indicators for Graduate Degree Programs

Demonstration Program Application

ACEND^® invites applications from organizations interested in sponsoring a nutrition and dietetics program that would be accredited under the ACEND^® Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Associate, Bachelor's or Graduate Degree Programs as an early adopter demonstration program. Applications for the fifth cohort of demonstration programs are due by 11:00 a.m. (Central time) on May 3, 2021.

• Information about the Demonstration Program Application Process
• Application for Future Model Associate Degree Demonstration Program
• Application for Future Model Bachelor's Degree Demonstration Program
• Application for Future Model Graduate Degree Demonstration Program
• Webinar on Application Process

FAQ for the Future Education Model and Timeline for Cohorts

ACEND^® has received many questions about the Future Model and has compiled a Frequently Asked Questions document with the most commonly asked questions and ACEND^®'s response to each. Download PDF of Frequently Asked Questions.

Timeline for Cohorts

Talking Points About ACEND^® Standards for Administrators and Students

ACEND^® developed talking points to help programs discuss Future Education Model demonstration programs to administrators and students.

• Talking Points to Administrators
• Talking Points to Students

Rationale for Future Education Preparation of Nutrition and Dietetics Practitioners

ACEND^® has collected data in multiple projects with stakeholders and is testing a new model for education of nutrition and dietetics practitioners.

• Read more

Virtual Town Hall

ACEND^® hosts a virtual town hall quarterly to answer your questions about ACEND^®'s work. All stakeholders are invited to participate. Learn more about Virtual Town Hall Meetings.

FNCE^® ACEND^® Forum Presentation

The ACEND^® Forum presentation at FNCE^® 2017 provided an update on ACEND^®'s Standards work and the Future Education Model. Also discussed were the topics of competency-based education and competency assessment. You can view the presentation and the slides using the links below:

• Presentation
• Forum slides

Overview of Competency Based Education

A webinar on the overview of competency based education was presented at the January 19, 2021 ACEND^® Virtual Town Hall.

• Overview of Competency Based Education Webinar Recording