Prior Assessed Learning (PAL)

For Didactic Coursework

Students may receive credits or course waivers in two ways:

  1. Graduate credit and course wavier based on previous, recent (within 5 years) graduate coursework:
  2. If a student has taken one of the graduate courses offered in the IPND curriculum and earned a minimum grade of B (pass/fail NOT accepted).
  3. The student must supply a description of the course and course syllabus, notes, exams, etc. from the other college or university;
  4. The IPND Director will determine if courses are equivalent and acceptable. If the course appears substantially equivalent, the student may be required to take an examination administered by the IPND Director. If the student scores >80% on the exam, the course requirement will be waived and the credits transferred.

NB: A maximum of four graduate level IPND courses (12 credits) may be transferred into the MS degree program.

  1. A course waiver may be granted on prior learning through experience:
  2. A student with work experience in one of the practice areas covered by the IPND coursework may elect to demonstrate their competency by a challenge exam.
  3. An exam covering the material will be administered by the Program Director. If the student scores >80% on the exam, the course will be waived without credit.
  4. The student will be required to take replacement graduate level courses in order to meet the minimum 53 credit graduate requirement. No verification statement will be issued unless the student earns an MS degree in Nutrition from Hunter College.

For SEL Rotation Experiences

The Hunter College Integrated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics participates in the Prior Assessed Learning program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Prior Assessed Learning (PAL) program is designed to grant varying degrees of credit for SEL in specific rotations of the IPND based on the qualified applicant’s learning as demonstrated through paid work or volunteer experiences. Experiences considered for PAL must meet competencies required by ACEND that are equivalent to an entry-level dietitian. Credit for SEL is given for learning and gaining knowledge, not for work experience, and thus is given when an applicant demonstrates an increase in knowledge and skills. PAL will not be granted as a replacement for any of the didactic portion or SEL rotation-associated seminar courses of the IPND. Experiences submitted for PAL will have taken place as part of a professional career, e.g., as a chef with managerial tasks or as an employee at an agency operating or developing nutrition programs.

PAL credit will not exceed 50% of the total hours of the SEL rotations (currently = 525 hours) and does not replace the experience integrated into the coursework in the form of projects and assignments.