Dietetics

This degree enables dietitians to apply cutting-edge information in food, nutrition, food service management and wellness to enhance dietetics practice. Students successfully completing the program learn to think independently and critically to evaluate and apply new research concepts and theories to advance their professional practice.

Elective courses cover a variety of topics to meet the diverse needs of dietetics professionals. Electives include clinically-oriented nutrition courses, community or public health nutrition courses, healthcare administration, management-oriented courses, food science, food service management, and more.

Family Financial Planning

Tremendous change in the financial services industry provides opportunity for an exciting, dynamic career. Financial service providers from insurance companies to banks to investment firms are extending their services to provide comprehensive financial assistance.

An advanced degree or certificate in financial planning is ideal for a variety of financially-related fields:

• Insurance
• Real Estate
• Investment
• Retirement
• Tax
• Estate Planning
• Community Education

Gerontology

We live in a aging society, one in which the older population is growing both in absolute numbers and in proportion to all other age groups. Businesses, government agencies, service organizations, educational institutions and self-employed professionals from every economic sector are recognizing the need for specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this changing demographic.

An advanced degree in Gerontology can benefit the professional in:

• social work
• nursing
• counseling
• recreation
• public policy
• long-term care administration
• medicine
• architecture
• interior design
• adult education
• rehabilitation therapy
• human/family services

Some Gerontologists work directly with older persons in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. Other work on behalf of older persons in areas such as advocacy and teaching about aging.

Merchandising

Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance is the only alliance of public universities to offer a full graduate program in merchandising completely online.

Upon successful completion of the Master's Degree in Merchandising the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a global-centric perspective that articulates the interconnectedness of cultural, economic, political, social and environment systems as they relate to merchandising.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the character traits and skills associated with good leadership that can be applied to changing situational contexts.
• Assimilate and evaluate knowledge of and apply critical thinking related to:consumers, technology, current and future trends, product development and distribution, the research process, the strategic planning process, ethics and social responsibility.