Syllabus

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

APN 621: Nutrition Education & Health Behavior Change Lab, Summer A, 2024

Credits - 1

Description

In the dietetics focus lab series, MSAN students in the dietetics focus will conduct Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) hours. In the lab series, Faculty and Preceptors will assess competencies. Students will work to demonstrate professional skills and values in all interactions with their site preceptors, CPS faculty and staff, their peers and community members. Through reflective writing exercises, students will self-assess their skills, behaviors and attitudes. Topics such as clinical skills, communication skills, leadership and management skills, professionalism, conflict resolution, teamwork and integrity will be explored. Cases and real-world examples will be used to facilitate discussions. Students are responsible for working with the Assistant Director, Graduate Program in Applied Nutrition to arrange acceptable Preceptors and SEL sites before signing up for the course.

Materials

Required:

Intro to Intuitive Eating – a Course – must be purchased by Week 6 of the course.

There is no required text for this course; all of the other readings and course materials are linked in Brightspace.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Program Objectives

The course will satisfy the following program objectives. You will learn how to:

  • Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives
  • Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences
  • Research, develop and disseminate evidence-based and theory driven educational materials and work-products at an audience appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion

ACEND Competencies

  • 1.7 Integrates the principles of cultural competence within own practice and when directing services.
    • 1.7.1 Demonstrates knowledge of the cultural competence models. (S)
    • 1.7.2 Applies knowledge of foods, cultural foods, eating patterns and food trends. (S)
    • 1.7.3 Identifies challenges that arise when different cultures, values, beliefs and experiences exist between clients/patients and nutrition and dietetics professionals. (S)
    • 1.7.4 Identifies and implements strategies to address cultural biases and differences. (D)
    • 1.7.5 Applies culturally sensitive approaches and communication skills. (D)
    • 1.7.6 Develops awareness of one’s own personal beliefs, values and biases to better serve clients/patients of different cultures and backgrounds. (D)
  • 1.11 Applies knowledge of medical terminology when communicating with individuals, groups and other health professionals.
    • 1.11.1 Interprets and communicates medical terminology to non-health professional audiences. (S)
    • 1.11.2 Uses acceptable medical abbreviations and appropriate medical terminology in all forms of communication. (S)
  • 1.13 Demonstrates computer skills and uses nutrition informatics in the decision-making process.
    • 1.13.2 Evaluates accuracy and reliability when accessing and evaluating nutrition information in electronic format. (S)
  • 1.15 Applies knowledge of nutritional health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, groups and populations.
    • 1.15.3 Examines the influence of the determinants of health on health and wellness. (S)
    • 1.15.5 Applies behavior change theories for nutritional health promotion and disease
    • prevention. (S)
  • 2.3 Utilizes the nutrition care process with individuals, groups or populations in a variety of practice settings.
    • 2.3.2 Interviews client/patient to collect subjective information considering the
    • determinants of health. (S)
    • 2.3.10 Determines barriers that might influence a client/patient’s nutritional status. (S)
  • 2.4 Implements or coordinates nutritional interventions for individuals, groups or populations.
    • 2.4.10 Translates basic to advanced food and nutrition science knowledge into
    • understandable language tailored to the audience. (D)
    • 2.4.13 Assesses client/patient’s nutritional needs and appropriateness for the recommended counseling or therapy. (S)
    • 2.4.14 Applies counseling principles and evidence-informed practice when providing individual or group sessions. (S)
    • 2.4.18 Evaluates effectiveness of the counseling or therapy and makes modifications as required. (S)
    • 2.4.19 Refers/transfers client/patient to appropriate health professionals when counseling therapy or client/patient’s mental health issues are beyond personal competence of professional scope of practice. (S)
  • 5.1 Demonstrates leadership skills to guide practice.
    • 5.1.1 Exhibits self-awareness in terms of personality, learning, leadership style and cultural orientation. (S)
    • 5.1.2 Demonstrates understanding of social cues and team dynamics. (S)
    • 5.1.3 Communicates at the appropriate level and understands emotions and emotional situations. (S)
    • 5.1.4 Develops conversational and interpersonal skills. (S)
  • 6.1 Incorporates critical thinking skills in practice.
    • 6.1.1 Considers multiple factors when problem solving. (D)
    • 6.1.3 Engages in reflective practice to promote change and continuous learning. (D)
  • 6.3 Applies current research and evidence-informed practice to services.
    • 6.3.4 Analyzes and formulates a professional opinion based on the current research and evidence-based findings and experiential learning. (D)
  • 7.1 Assumes professional responsibilities to provide safe, ethical and effective nutrition services.
    • 7.1.2 Engages in self-reflective practice activities to develop and maintain ongoing
    • competence and professional behaviors. (S)
    • 7.1.4 Applies client/patient-centered principles to all activities and services. (D)
    • 7.1.5 Identifies and takes steps to manage unethical, incompetent and unsafe behavior. (S)
    • 7.1.6 Practices in a manner that respects diversity and avoids prejudicial treatment. (S)
    • 7.1.8 Maintains confidentiality and security in the sharing, transmission, storage and
    • management of protected health information. (S)
  • 7.2 Uses effective communication, collaboration and advocacy skills.
    • 7.2.1 Applies effective and ethical communication skills and techniques to achieve desired goals and outcomes. (D)
    • 7.2.2 Works with and facilitates intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration and teamwork. (D)
    • 7.2.4 Selects mode of communication appropriate to the messaging to meet the needs of the audience. (D)

Assignments

Weekly Assignments

Each week, you will complete various assignments and activities. Please refer to Brightspace for full assignment descriptions. 

Discussion Board

For each weekly discussion board,  you will record and share a 2-3 minute video reflecting on your previous SEL coursework. 

Writing Statement

As professionals in the field, you will consistently be expected to clearly and concisely articulate advanced concepts for diverse audiences at a variety of educational levels.

Graduate students are expected to produce their best quality work, including screening their work prior to submission for clarity, grammatical, spelling, formatting and mechanical issues.

While there is often a portion of each assignment’s rubric dedicated specifically to grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting, it is critical to understand that failure to submit work that has been adequately proofed may result in a reduction of points in other areas of the rubric. These may include, but are not limited to metrics rating professionalism or content knowledge and synthesis; work submitted in graduate courses should provide evidence of strategic reading, writing, and academic speaking skills essential for success in the discipline.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentPoints
Professionalism and Ethics Statement1
Weekly Reflection Videos (8 x 3 points each)24
Week 1: Hidden Bias/Cultural Competence4
Week 1: MI-focused Interview Questions4
Week 2: Grant Application7
Week 3: Poverty Community Assessment4
Week 3: Executive Summary6
Week 4: Nutrition Education and Interventions in Recovery7
Week 5: Food Bank Resource Handout6
Week 5: Branching Activity Reflection4
Week 6: The Rounder4
Week 6: FTM Nutrition Counseling Session5
Week 6: MI Practice Interview6
Week 7: HAES Fact Sheet6
Week 7: Worksite Assessment7
Week 8: SEL Documentation1
Week 8: Final Lab Reflection4
Total100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Weekly Schedule:

Week 1: May 8 – May 14
Week 2: May 15 – May 21
Week 3: May 22 – May 28
Week 4: May 29 – Jun 4
Week 5: Jun 5 – Jun 11
Week 6: Jun 12 – Jun 18
Week 7: Jun 19 – Jun 25
Week 8: Jun 26 – Jun 30

Week One: Cultural Humility

Competencies

  • 1.7.1 Demonstrates knowledge of the cultural competence models.
  • 1.7.3 Identifies challenges that arise when different cultures, values, beliefs and experiences exist between clients/patients and nutrition and dietetics professionals. 
  • 1.7.4 Identifies and implements strategies to address cultural biases and differences. 
  • 1.7.5 Applies culturally sensitive approaches and communication skills. 
  • 1.7.6 Develops awareness of one’s own personal beliefs, values and biases to better serve clients/patients of different cultures and backgrounds
  • 2.3.2 Interviews client/patient to collect subjective information considering the determinants of health.
  • 5.1.1 Exhibits self-awareness in terms of personality, learning, leadership style and cultural orientation. 
  • 7.1.6  Practices in a manner that respects diversity and avoids prejudicial treatment.

 

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for readings

Assignments

  • Hidden Bias/Cultural Competence
  • MI-Focused Interview Questions

Discussion

Week Two: Health Inequality and Health Disparities

Competencies

  • 1.7.2 Applies knowledge of foods, cultural foods, eating patterns and food trends.
  • 1.7.4 Identifies and implements strategies to address cultural biases and differences.
  • 1.15.3 Examines the influence of the determinants of health on health and wellness. 
  • 2.3.2 Interviews client/patient to collect subjective information considering the determinants of health.
  • 2.3.10  Determines barriers that might influence a client/patient’s nutritional status.
  • 6.1.1 Considers multiple factors when problem solving. 
  • 7.1.2 Engages in self-reflective practice activities to develop and maintain ongoing competence and professional behaviors.

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for readings

Assignments

  • Grant Application

Discussion

Week Three: Poverty

Competencies

  • 1.11.1 Interprets and communicates medical terminology to non-health professional audiences.
  • 1.15 Applies knowledge of nutritional health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, groups and populations.
  • 2.4.10 Translates basic to advanced food and nutrition science knowledge into
  • understandable language tailored to the audience.
  • 6.1.1 Considers multiple factors when problem solving. 

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • Poverty Community Assessment
  • Executive Summary

Discussion

Week Four: Trauma-Informed Care

Competencies

  • 2.4.18 Evaluates effectiveness of the counseling or therapy and makes modifications as required. 
  • 2.4.19 Refers/transfers client/patient to appropriate health professionals when counseling therapy or client/patient’s mental health issues are beyond personal competence of professional scope of practice. 
  • 5.1.5 Reflects on situations and critically evaluates outcomes and possible alternate courses of action. 
  • 7.1.5 Identifies and takes steps to manage unethical, incompetent and unsafe behavior. 

 

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • Nutrition Education and Interventions in Recovery

Discussions

Week Five: Shame and Weight Stigma

Competencies

  • 1.15.5 Applies behavior change theories for nutritional health promotion and disease
  • prevention. 
  • 5.1.3 Communicates at the appropriate level and understands emotions and emotional situations.
  • 7.1.6 Practices in a manner that respects diversity and avoids prejudicial treatment. 
  • 7.2.4 Selects mode of communication appropriate to the messaging to meet the needs of the audience.

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • Food Bank Resource Handout
  • Branching Activity Reflection

Discussion

Week Six: Motivational Interviewing

Competencies

  • 2.4.14 Applies counseling principles and evidence-informed practice when providing individual or group sessions.
  • 2.4.18 Evaluates effectiveness of the counseling or therapy and makes modifications as required. 
  • 5.1.1 Exhibits self-awareness in terms of personality, learning, leadership style and cultural orientation. 
  • 5.1.2 Demonstrates understanding of social cues and team dynamics.
  • 5.1.3 Communicates at the appropriate level and understands emotions and emotional situations. 
  • 5.1.4 Develops conversational and interpersonal skills. 
  • 6.1.3 Engages in reflective practice to promote change and continuous learning. 
  • 7.2.1 Demonstrates ethical behaviors in accordance to the professional Code of Ethics. 

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • The Rounder
  • FTM Nutrition Counseling Session
  • MI Practice Interview

Discussion

Week Seven: Health At Every Size

Competencies

  • 2.3.10  Determines barriers that might influence a client/patient’s nutritional status.
  • 2.4.14 Applies counseling principles and evidence-informed practice when providing individual or group sessions.
  • 6.1.3 Engages in reflective practice to promote change and continuous learning. 
  • 6.3.4 Analyzes and formulates a professional opinion based on the current research and evidence-based findings and experiential learning.
  • 7.1.2 Engages in self-reflective practice activities to develop and maintain ongoing
  • competence and professional behaviors. 
  • 7.1.5 Identifies and takes steps to manage unethical, incompetent and unsafe behavior. 

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • HAES Fact Sheet
  • Worksite Assessment 

Discussions

Week Eight: Wrapping Up

Competencies

  • 6.1.3 Engages in reflective practice to promote change and continuous learning. 
  • 7.1.2 Engages in self-reflective practice activities to develop and maintain ongoing
  • competence and professional behaviors.

Lectures

Required Readings

  • See course for assigned readings

Assignments

  • Final Lab Reflection

Discussion

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in AMA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.