Nutrition Education for Health Professionals is a 3-credit course focused on the theory and practice of providing nutrition information with specific focus on writing for nutrition communications. This course prepares students to provide effective nutrition education and counseling, and give effective presentations. The course highlights the role of technology in health and nutrition programs and the application of technology in health and nutrition program evaluation. Topics include communications methods, writing skills for the nutrition discipline, learner/ audience analysis, basic learning and behavior theory, developing counseling and training materials, as well as designing, making, and evaluating individual and group presentations using various approaches, including technology applications.

Study of current nutrition issues and delivery of food and nutrition services in the community. The course is designed to allow senior level students to acquire skills necessary to deliver services in the public health and private sector markets.

This course provides the opportunity for independent investigation, under faculty supervision, on a subject matter either not included in existing courses or further investigation of a topic of interest presented in another course. A student-driven, faculty-mentored proposal is drafted that describes the plan of work, deliverables expected, evaluation criteria, and possible credit load.

Fundamental principles and techniques of the art and science of nutritional assessment and counseling are developed in this active learning course. Newly acquired skills are utilized in experiences with case studies, simulation mannequins, and volunteers. Digital and technology-driven tools and experiences are incorporated into nutrition assessment and counseling instruction and experiences. In tandem with Medical Nutrition Therapy, this course prepares the student for clinical supervised experiential learning in healthcare settings.

Application of writing and research skills and principles in an independent investigation of a focused problem under direction of thesis adviser. Components include review of literature, definition of research aims, data collection and analysis, interpretation and discussion of findings, preparation of written paper following specified guidelines and standards, and oral defense of thesis. Enrollment for 6 credits in one semester or as necessary over multiple semesters for a total of 6 credits.

This course provides students additional semester to complete their thesis research, document and defense.

Application of writing and research skills and principles in an independent investigation of a focused problem under direction of a project adviser. Preparation of a Project Report following specified guidelines and standards, and oral presentation of the key report components.