Prior Assessed Learning

The NutraCo-Graceland University Partnership Program (the Program) participates in the ACEND-recognized Prior Assessed Learning (PAL) process. After acceptance into the Program, students who have relevant nutrition and dietetics experience may apply for PAL to count towards hours of the 1000 required hours and assignments associated with the supervised experiential learning (SEL). A maximum of 320 hours of PAL will be granted contingent upon Program reviewal of the student’s resume, examples of work, and supervisor evaluations. To qualify, a student must have completed work or volunteer experience. The hours cannot be from a didactic program’s credit hour requirement and the hours must have been completed before the start of SEL.

Related practice areas include:

• Food Service Management (up to 200 hours)
• Community Nutrition (up to 200 hours)
• Long-Term Care (up to 200 hours)
• Concentration (up to 80 hours)
• Credit will not be given for acute care clinical experiences

Assignments will not be waived unless there is sufficient proof submitted through samples of work performed and hours are granted for a specific rotation as part of the PAL credit.

Procedure:

• Upon acceptance into the Program, the student will contact the Program Director regarding their interest in PAL credit. The student must indicate which rotation(s) to which they are applying for PAL. 
  • Food Service Management
  • Community Nutrition
  • Long-Term Care
  • Concentration
• Student must complete and submit all required documentation via email to the Program Director by
  • Spring Semester 2026: INSERT DATE HERE
  • Summer Semester 2026: INSERT DATE HERE
  • Fall Semester 2026: INSERT DATE HERE

Documentation submission is to include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Resume, including all relevant job titles and total hours worked in each description; be sure to include applicable volunteer hours.
• Job Descriptions.
• Samples of projects, reports, presentations, audits (safety, sanitation, HACCP), lesson plans, meeting notes, nutrition education materials, menus, newsletters, marketing content, in-service training sessions, theme meals, budgeting, inventory, nutrition counseling notes, etc.
• Job Performance Evaluations if applicable.
• Written summary of work performed, hours worked, responsibilities and skills achieved; to be countersigned by supervisor. Must include supervisor’s name, title, and contact information.
• NutraCo-Graceland University Partnership evaluations completed by supervisor for PAL assignments. Please reach out to the Program Director to obtain these evaluations.
• Completed rotation log. Please reach out to the Program Director to obtain the appropriate log.

All PAL applications are reviewed, and approvals are granted on a case-by-case basis. The Program may award up to 8 full-time weeks, or 320 hours, of PAL credit per student for qualified work or volunteer experience. Once the student receives confirmation that PAL has been granted, the details of the PAL credit will be provided in writing and the hours will be applied towards the program’s total required supervised practice hours. The student will still be required to register for the course through Graceland University and pay the semester program fee. The program fee will not be reduced if approval for PAL is granted. The final decision to approve PAL will be made by the Program Director.