The world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Formerly the American Dietetic Association

a Publication for members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

In This Section

ACEND Quicklinks

ACEND Program Directors

ACEND provides an on-line accreditation forum for dietetics program directors that includes information and forms for meeting ACEND accreditation requirements, and opportunities for discussion.

Public Notices

Quick Links

Call for Comments Has Closed

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is currently revising its accreditation standards for U.S. dietetic education programs based on feedback received from educators, students, practitioners and other stakeholders during the comment period that lasted from September 6, 2011 through December 6, 2011. The draft documents used during the comment period are still available for your information; however, no additional comments are being taken at this time. Revised ACEND standards are expected to be released after the spring meeting of the ACEND board in February 2012.

For more information, read the changes made to ACEND Standards or view the CADE webinar on the update to the ACEND standards.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

At the September 24th Opening Session of the Academy's 2011 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, ADA president, Sylvia Escott-Stump announced that the name of the ADA was changing to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In keeping with the spirit of this change, the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) changed its name to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The new name and acronym communicate the fundamental relationship between nutrition and dietetics and reflect our on-going desire to improve the quality of education and our accreditation system. Our scope of accreditation and our participation as a Title IV gatekeeper recognized by the U.S. Department of Education remains unchanged. State boards, and other stakeholders including CDR have been informed that our name change went into effect in January 2012; however, we are giving accredited programs until June 1, 2012 to update their websites and records. Programs with printed materials showing our old name may continue to use them until they run out.

About ACEND

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) is recognized by the United States Department of Education. This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

Guidelines for Nutrition Residencies

ACEND announces the release of new guidelines for establishing advanced-practice residency programs across the spectrum of dietetics practice. The goal of developing these residencies is to foster advanced practice and to provide a career ladder for Registered Dietitians as outlined by the Career Path Guide developed by the Council on Future Practice. More information will be forthcoming on grant-funding support opportunities for institutions interested in starting residency programs.

Guidelines for ACEND-Accredited Advanced-Practice Residencies

QUICK LINKS
The The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (ANDF) is the world's largest charitable organization (501c3) focused on food, nutrition and dietetics. ANDF is dedicated to working with the Registered Dietitian to help kids and their families eat right.
Participate in the only political action committee broadly focused on food, nutrition and health. If dietetics is your profession, politics is your business!
Through accreditation of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate didactic, dietetic technician and supervised practice programs, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics ensures entry-level education meets quality standards.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration awards credentials to individuals at entry and specialty levels who have met CDR's standards for competency to practice in the dietetics profession.