The Master in Food Education (MEA) is intended for professionals in the areas of health and education who wish to acquire skills to work in the field of food education through educational and curricular projects and community intervention, emphasizing research. This Course contemplates the possibility of intervention in the field, through the completion of an Internship.

It is intended to address the pressing need to provide professionals with the skills to work in intervention and research in Food Education (EA), particularly since the WHO identified the relevance of food and nutrition literacy in improving food choices and several countries, such as Portugal, have established national plans in these areas. The specificity of the subject of EE, which involves the areas of behavioral change, communication and communication design, educational sciences and lifelong learning, project management and leadership, particularly in a school environment, and ethical issues in education, justifies the existence of this innovative offer.

The FCNAUP holds a unique and pioneering heritage in this area of intervention, having produced the Food Wheel, the Mediterranean Food Wheel and other iconic materials of Food Education at a European level. On the other hand, Education issues today need a qualified multidisciplinary vision and approach taking into account the change in the way of learning and communicating with the increase of digital technology and global connectivity. This specificity justifies the participation of several institutions involved, in particular from the areas of Education Sciences and Psychology (FPCEUP) as well as Communication and Arts (FLUP and FBAUP) that will thus increase their institutional and scientific interconnection through this post-graduation.

Objectives

- To contribute to the creation and development of scientific knowledge and critical mass in the area of Nutrition Education (EA);
- Promote the development of professionals with specific and transversal skills to work in the field of Nutrition Education, especially prepared to plan, implement and evaluate educational and curricular programs and projects of education in the areas of nutrition and food, aimed at changing knowledge, attitudes and eating behaviors throughout the life cycle;
- To train professionals in scientific and technical competences that enable them to carry out research/action in this field, preparing them for a dynamic interventive and scientifically based community action;
- Promote international cooperation, responding to the relevance of the demand and the growing training needs of students and professionals from CPLP countries, in the areas of Food Education.
- Promote institutional cooperation between the Organic Units of the University of Porto and the institutions of the formal preschool, primary and secondary education network, with municipalities and also with institutions of the social economy sector where capacity building for food education and health promotion is central;

Professional Abilities

- Be able to develop critical and reflective thinking about the field of knowledge of Food and Nutrition Education, namely about its interactions and meanings and the continuous and permanent practice of those who develop work in this area.

- Be able to plan, implement and evaluate educational and curricular programs and projects of education in the areas of nutrition and food, aiming at changing knowledge, attitudes and eating behaviors throughout the life cycle;

- Be able to do research/action in the field of Nutrition Education (knowledge of assessment tools, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies,...)

General information

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas