Graduate Certificate: Nutrition
Learn more about the graduate certificate in Nutrition.
About the Certificate
Nutrition, an important and emerging area of dietetics practice, is a core aspect of individual and population-level health. With growing emphasis on individualized medicine and the established link between behavior and health, critical need exists for dietitians who can address current gaps in care, especially for underserved populations. The Nutrition graduate certificate program prepares health professionals who can address systematic nutrition-related health disparities and reach underserved urban populations, while applying perspectives grounded in the fundamentals of nutrition.
The graduate certificate in Nutrition is a 12-credit certificate program. While it is designed to complement the existing curriculum for the College of Public Health's Social and Behavioral Sciences M.P.H., the certificate program is relevant for students in other areas of study and for healthcare professionals. It provides competency-based public health nutrition training to existing M.P.H. students or non-matriculating students. Current public health students earn an M.P.H. and a certificate in nutrition. In conjunction with the M.P.H., graduates become more competitive candidates for public health nutrition jobs. Non-matriculating students earn a certificate in nutrition and are well positioned to continue studying in the College of Public Health and complete an M.P.H. degree or use the knowledge and skills in their existing profession.
Upon completion of the certificate, students are able to:
- apply knowledge of nutritional health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, groups, and populations;
- utilize a foundational knowledge on public and global health issues and nutritional needs;
- implement or coordinate nutritional interventions for individuals, groups, or populations;
- apply current research and evidence-informed practice to services;
- discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels; and
- apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies and programs.
Nutrition certification has value for healthcare professionals, particularly registered dietitians. Many RDs who do not hold a graduate degree will likely want to earn a master’s degree to remain competitive in the workforce. The Nutrition certificate offers an opportunity for these professionals to take courses as non-matriculating students without committing to a master’s degree, but the transition to a degree student would be seamless. In addition, all M.P.H. courses are offered in the evening or online, which makes the program ideal for working professionals.
Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 2 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The graduate certificate may be completed on a part-time basis.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: The certificate program is open to non-matriculated graduate students.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall and Spring admissions are on a rolling basis.
For the Nutrition certificate, all applicants — whether currently enrolled graduate students or non-matriculated students — must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/.
Applicants should check their application status on the SOPHAS portal often and inquire directly of SOPHAS about receipt of materials. For other questions, please contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required Only of Non-Matriculating Applicants: 2
From Whom: At least one letter of recommendation should be obtained from a college/university instructor, preferably at the graduate level.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and provide transcripts as indicated:
- Applicants currently enrolled in a Temple graduate program must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in completed coursework.
- Non-matriculating applicants must present a transcript demonstrating successful completion of the baccalaureate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 OR a transcript demonstrating successful completion of a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Statement of Goals: State your career goals and describe how the certificate is relevant to those goals.
Resume: Current resume or CV required.
Certificate Requirements
Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 12
Required Courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
SBS 5002 | Program Planning, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
Select three from the following: | 9 | |
Public Health Nutrition | ||
Nutrition in the Life Cycle | ||
Cultural and Community Nutrition | ||
Nutrition Education and Counseling | ||
Health Psychology | ||
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
GPA Required to be Awarded the Certificate: 3.0 minimum
Courses
SBS 5001. Fundamentals of Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5002. Program Planning, Theory, and Practice. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5004. Understanding Stress and Change. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5009. Risk Communication and Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5015. Public Health Nutrition. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5102. Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5105. Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5201. Nutritional Biochemistry. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5204. Nutrition in the Life Cycle. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5211. Medical Nutrition Therapy. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(KINS 1223|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
SBS 5214. Cultural and Community Nutrition. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5216. Nutrition Education and Counseling. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5217. Food Preparation and Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 5500. Seminar in Current Issues in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
SBS 8001. Research Methods in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(SBS 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
SBS 8005. Health Promotion in Vulnerable Populations. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 8006. Addictions and Dependencies. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 8009. Health Psychology. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 8018. Obesity: From Genes to Junk Food. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR EPBI 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
SBS 8105. Health Communication. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
SBS 8111. Public Health Program Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently
OR EPBI 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May be taken concurrently)
SBS 8112. Concepts and Methods to Improve Public Health Interventions. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
SBS 8009|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 8105|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
SBS 9083. Readings and Conference in Public Health. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
SBS 9289. MPH Fieldwork I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(SBS 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
SBS 9291. Dietetics Experiential Learning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(SBS 5214|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5211|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
SBS 9389. MPH Fieldwork II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(SBS 9289|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5201|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
SBS 9994. Preliminary Examinations. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
SBS 9998. Dissertation Proposal Research. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
SBS 9994|Minimum Grade of P|May not be taken concurrently.
SBS 9999. Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Dissertation Writing Student.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Contacts
Certificate Program Web Address:
https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/nutrition-certificate-graduate-hp-nutr-grad
Admissions Information:
College of Public Health Office of Admissions
1101 W. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 370
Philadelphia, PA 19122-2715
215-204-5200
Submission Address for Application Materials:
Nutrition Graduate Certificate Program
College of Public Health Office of Admissions
1101 W. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 370
Philadelphia, PA 19122-2715
Department Contacts:
Nutrition Certificate Program Director:
Pamela Weisberg-Shapiro, Ph.D., M.P.H., RD
pamela.weisberg-shapiro@temple.edu
215-204-6086