Purdue University Calumet is introducing a certificate program designed to provide professional development and enhance career advancement for individuals working in the K-12 school food services industry.

The new certificate is believed to be one of just two available nationally for school food services professionals.

The 25-credit hour Certificate in School Nutrition and Food Services will be offered exclusively online, beginning in January, through Purdue Calumet’s Academic Outreach and Contract Training unit. The program is intended for food services managers, supervisors and others who work in the industry without a college/university degree.

“The School Nutrition Association, comprised of some 55,000 members nationwide, wants to establish minimum standards of professional development within its industry,” Purdue Calumet Associate Professor of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional and Tourism Management Judy Hack said. “Our hope is that this program will provide a cutting edge credential that distances these employees from the ‘lunch lady’ perception.”

Hack added that Purdue Calumet alumni who serve as directors of food services at various local school systems have indicated such a program is necessary.

“This will be an academic credit-bearing certificate program,” Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Beth Pellicciotti said. “Completing the program will provide a professional credential that also will qualify individuals for access into a university degree program.”

The certificate will be comprised of eight three-credit hour courses and a one-hour practicum. The courses will cover such industry-related, management topics as organization and supervision, marketing, accounting and finance, procurement, human resources, facilities management and managed services.

Professional practitioners have guided curriculum development relative to school system educational needs. Faculty of Purdue Calumet’s hospitality and tourism management (HTM) program and school system nutrition and food services directors with advanced degrees will teach the courses.

Registration is underway for three courses offered during the upcoming spring term, beginning Jan. 19. Those courses are: HTM 212–Organization and Management in the Hospitality Industry, HTM 231– Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and HTM 251–Computers in the Hospitality Industry.

More information about the program can be obtained by contacting Prof. Hack at hack@calumet.purdue.edu. Academic Advisor Chynisse Browder can provide admission, course registration assistance and other information at 219/989-2588 or browder@calumet.purdue.edu.

“We believe this program can serve to pioneer other online, professional development instruction for professionals in the hospitality industry who are finding it difficult to advance without proper professional development,” Hack said.