Choices, challenges, changing faces

The scope and severity of eating disorders are often misunderstood by sufferers, their loved ones, educators, counselor, social workers, the media and the general public.

Eating Disorders Institute

About the program

The Eating Disorders Institute (EDI) is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with clients/students affected by eating disorders. Participants focus their programs on the development of educational and outreach opportunities for delivery in school systems or communities. Licensed health professionals will be able to specialize in eating disorders to counsel clients.

Educators, health care professionals, and mental health professionals such as counselors, social workers, nurses, and dieticians, who wish to specialize in eating disorders, may enroll in a 15-credit certificate program. This allows students to integrate the EDI with a self-designed Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Health Education or Counselor Education.

Plymouth State University offers one of the few graduate programs with a focus on Eating Disorders in the country, and is the only one of its kind in the Northeast.

The Eating Disorders Institute program provides:

• Advanced knowledge and skills in eating disorders counseling, education and outreach.
• An increased understanding of the changing face of eating disorders.
• Small classes in intensive weekend/institute format for working professionals.
• Experienced faculty who are current practitioners in the field of eating disorders.
• The ability to incorporate the EDI into a self-designed M.Ed.
• An approved site to offer a 12-credit eating disorder core curriculum which satisfies the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) requirement towards future certification.

Candidates for the master's programs must complete the education core courses which focus on diversity, philosophy and research. Candidates for the professional certification must possess a master's degree in order to apply for admission. Students completing the 15-credit EDI graduate certificate program or the M.Ed. with a focus on the EDI will receive a certificate of completion. Mental health professionals, dieticians, and other IAEDP approved professionals who demonstrate clinical expertise through education, experience and a rigorous examination may be eligible to seek a national certification after completing the Plymouth State EDI program. Candidates must fulfill educational competencies and accumulate hours in the area of eating disorders.

The EDI program can be completed in approximately one year by taking two courses during the fall and spring terms and completing a 120-hour clinical experience. The program may be completed in two years through enrollment in one course per term and completing the clinical experience.

Concentrations

• Eating Disorders Non-degree certificate program
• M.Ed. Self-Designed Health Education, with a focus in Eating Disorders
• M.Ed. Self-Designed Counselor Education with a focus in Eating Disorders

Related Programs and Facilities

• Counselor Education M.Ed. Program
• Health Education M.Ed. Program
• Health & Human Performance undergraduate department

Contact Information

Dr. Mardie Burckes-Miller - e-mail the coordinator
Eating Disorders Institute at
The College of Graduate Studies
Plymouth State University
MSC 11
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 535-2515