Certificate of Graduate Study in Eating Disorders and Obesity

Our Certificate of Graduate Study in Eating Disorders and Obesity (EDOC) is a 12-credit hour program designed to give you the skills you need to help prevent, and manage treatment for, obesity and eating disorders.

This online certificate program is for practitioners in dietetics or marriage and family therapy who want to enhance their skills to treat eating disorders and obesity. Other professionals in various fields may use this program to prepare to prevent these disorders.

Through this program you'll study:

• Interrelationships among theories of human development, family systems, family stress, exercise, and nutrition and the occurrence of eating disorders and obesity.
• The characteristics of obesity, eating disorders and disordered eating.
• The cultural context that shapes and reflects Western ideals for appearance, family relationships and eating habits.
• Critical reviewing for programs designed to prevent obesity and eating disorders.
• Critical review of current interventions for weight management and treatment of disorders and their effectiveness.
• Ways to enhance competency in working with eating disorders and obesity in your professional practice area.
• How to identify roles and the importance of interdisciplinary members in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity.

Admission

You must have an undergraduate or graduate degree in nutrition, dietetics, or family sciences or related degree. You'll need to have introductory coursework in nutrition, psychology and family relationships. You must be accepted into the program and have status as a graduate student in nutrition or related major at NIU. Students-at-large can take these courses, but will only be able to obtain the certificate if they seek admission into one of the graduate programs at NIU.

Apply now

Program Requirements

This 12-credit hour program includes two required courses and two additional courses from several options. Visit the graduate catalog for a complete list of courses.