Vision
The vision of the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition is to be a leader in dietetics and nutrition in evidence-based practice, education, and research.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition is to prepare practitioners and applied researchers in dietetics, food, and nutrition to build a healthier society.
Our objectives for the mission focus on three synergistic areas:
- Education of dietetics and nutrition majors who are competent, intellectually curious professionals and leaders, and non-majors who value the role of nutrition in overall health.
- Evidence-based research to advance the profession; to position nutrition in health promotion, disease prevention/treatment, food/food service; and to integrate food and nutrition services into the mainstream of health, and home and community-based settings.
- Community/professional service to foster healthy lifestyles through better nutrition over the life course of various populations.
Degrees & programs
The field of dietetics & nutrition is growing quickly. Browse our programs to see how you can be a part of the change.
Program Directors & Advisors
Cristina Palacios, PhD
Professor and Chair
305-348-3235
cristina.palacios@fiu.edu
AHC5-306
Vijaya Narayanan, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Chair Director, Master of Science Program and Nutrition Science Track
305-348-3234
vnarayan@fiu.edu
AHC5-312
Jacqueline Hernández, PhD, RD, LD/N
Assistant Professor, Director, Dietetic Internship Program
305-348-2517
jshernan@fiu.edu
AHC5-323
Nadine Mikati, PhD, RD, LDN
Clinical Assistant Professor, Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
305-348-7303
nmikati@fiu.edu
AHC5-308
Catherine Coccia, PhD, RD
Associate Professor Director, Ph.D. Program
305-348-0194
ccoccia@fiu.edu
AHC5-316
Deborah M. Abel
Director, Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Nutrition
305-348-7832
deabel@fiu.edu
AHC5-322
Julia Gonzalez
Academic Support Services Administrator- Graduate Programs
305-348-4902
gonzalj@fiu.edu
AHC 5-319
Kenneth Beneby
Academic Advisor III
305-348-7776
kbeneby@fiu.edu
AHC5-321
Dietetics & Nutrition careers
Graduates from Stempel College’s award-winning Department of Dietetics & Nutrition often go on to work in health care systems, home health care, food service, private business, research and educational organizations after graduation.
Clinical
- Acute care
- Education/research
- Ambulatory care/rehabilitation facilities
- Consultant/counseling (hospital or online)
- Exercise physiology collaborations
- Home health care
- Military
- Nutrition therapists: integrative medicine, nutrition genomics, function nutrition therapy
- Pharmaceutical industry
Community
- Federal agencies
- Consulting/private practice
- Cooperative extension service
- Corporate wellness/employee health
- Cruise industry
- Education/research
- Health promotion
- Marketing and sales
- Media personality
- Nursing home practitioner
- Product development
- Sports nutritionist
- Textbook author
Food service/ food science
- Business management
- Caterer
- Private chef
- Culinary arts and nutrition consulting
- Food technology
- Food service management/inventory
- Military
- Product manufacturing
Funding your education
At Stempel College, we understand that academic success can be affected by financial aid and funding opportunities. Our students have access to myriad funding options by degree level (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral) and by academic discipline (Public Health, Dietetics & Nutrition, Social Work). It’s important to understand the basics of applying for financial aid and the additional resources available to you as a Stempel College student.
Dietetics & Nutrition: A Year In Review
Learn more about departmental highlights, stats, achievements, and more in the 2023-2024 Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Newsletter!