School Nutrition Certification

The School Nutrition Director Certification Program (SNDCP) is designed for individuals who are employed as School Nutrition Directors or Coordinators.

The SNDCP is a graduate-level certification program. UGA does not grant a degree or certificate upon completion of the program. Students completing program requirements are recommended for certification to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). The GaPSC awards School Nutrition Director certification. Courses in the program are offered online in an asynchrnous format in order to accomodate working school nutrition professionals who are seeking certification. 

The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers an online Master’s degree which is well suited for those who are pursuing School Nutrition Director certification. Please visit our website for information about the online Master’s of Science, Community Nutrition.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from accredited institution
• Master's Degree in a closely related field from any GaPSC-approved accredited institution or proof of acceptance into qualified Master's degree program
• GA Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) Account and ID Number

Tuition and Fees

Current tuition and fee rates can be found here.  As a non-degree student, you are only assessed certain fees. If you have questions about tuition and fees, please contact the Bursar's Office.

• Program of Study Course List

  An individualized program of study is prepared for each student upon program admission. Previous graduate academic coursework is assessed and may be applied to program requirements as appropriate. All courses are offered in an online, asynchronous format.

  • NUTR 7950E School Nutrition Field Experience I 
    • Participation in sequenced activities in a School Nutrition setting via concurrent employment.
    • Must be taken the first fall semester once admitted.
  • NUTR 6050E Optimal Nutrition for the Life Span 
    • Nutritional needs of infants, young children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, middle-aged and elderly people. Offered all semesters
  • NUTR 6770E Managing School Nutrition Programs 
    • Principles of managing school nutrition programs including federal, state, and local regulations; meal planning;  budget management; human resources management; organizational leadership; marketing and communications; planning, assessment, and evaluation of programs.
    • Offered fall. Course must be taken at UGA
  • NUTR 6665EChildhood and Adolescent Nutrition
    • Nutritional needs of children from early childhood through adolescence. Conditions relevant to child and adolescent nutrition will be discussed. The role of parents, schools, media, and the community in relation to childhood nutrition will also be examined.
    • Offered summer semester.
  • HPRB 7510E Health Promotion Research Methods
    • This course prepares students to construct and answer research questions. 
    • Offered spring semester.
  • NUTR 7970E School Nutrition Field Experience II 
    • Documentation of on-site participation in job-related activities in a School Nutrition setting via concurrent employment. Requires 500-hours of verified employment upon completion.
    • Taken last spring semester of enrollment.
  • NUTR 6670E Nutrition Intervention
    • Critical examination of multiple nutrition intervention strategies used in clinical and community settings.
    • Final spring in program. 

• Needed for Recommendation

  • Master's Degree in a closely related field from a GaPSC-approved accredited institution.
  • ServSafe® Food Safety Certification
  • ServSafe® Food Allergens Certificate of Completion
  • 500-Hour Field Experience
  • Program Grades of C or better in all classes
  • GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Passing grade on end of program exam

• Completing Certification Process

  The student is responsible for notifying the SNDCP Director when all requirements have been met.

  1. Recommendation for certification is sent to the College of Education.
  2. The College of Education submits the recommendation for School Nutrition Director Certification to the GaPSC.
  3. If employed in a school district, work with your HR director to submit the GaPSC certification application and send any additional documentation required directly to the GaPSC. If not employed in a school district, submit the GaPSC certification application and any additional documentation required directly to the GaPSC. (A UGA transcript reflecting SNDCP coursework will be required. For information on how to request a UGA transcript click here.)
  4. The GaPSC notifies applicants of their decision.

  The GaPSC requires receipt of a recommendation for certification within 5 years of program completion.