COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Learn more about the graduate certificate in Nutrition.

About the Certificate

The graduate certificate in Nutrition is a 12-credit certificate program that provides competency-based public health nutrition training to existing MPH students or non-matriculating students. Current public health students can earn an MPH and a certificate in nutrition. In conjunction with the MPH, 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 MPH 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, group, 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 MPH 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. NOTE: International students may not be eligible to apply for a student visa based on admission to the certificate program. Please contact the CPH Office of Admissions for more information.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: The certificate program is open to non-matriculated graduate students.

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.

Laptop: All incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 12

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
SBS 5002	Program Planning, Theory, and Practice	3
Select three from the following:		9
NUTR 5015	Nutrition Education and Counseling
NUTR 5815	Cultural and Community Nutrition
NUTR 5835	Nutrition Through the Lifecycle
SBS 5015	Public Health Nutrition
SBS 8009	Health Psychology
Total Credit Hours		12

GPA Required to be Awarded the Certificate: 3.0 minimum

Contacts

Department Contacts: