The Online Certificate in School Nutrition and Wellness has been designed to help counteract the current health status of today’s youth. With nearly 20% of America's children overweight or obese, effective health and nutrition education and school wellness policies will be critical for reversing this serious problem. The health status of America’s youth will directly impact our nation's health care system, available labor pool, and national priorities for years to come. This Certificate program is appropriate for anyone concerned with child health and education including:
- School Administrators
- Teachers
- Health Educators
- Nutritionists
- Nurses
- Allied Health/Medical and Fitness Professionals
- Food Service Providers
- Caregivers
- PTA Members
- Parents
This program is offered in an open enrollment format, meaning
you can register at anytime and once logged in, you have 8 weeks
to complete the course(s) you registered for.
Click here to review a detailed Certificate Program Fact Sheet.
Click here for a list of CECs/CEUs.
Certificate Course Descriptions
Course 1: School Wellness and Nutrition - Problems and Effective
Solutions
Instructor: Christen Cooper, MS, RD
This course provides background on government nutrition programs for children, and the political and budget constraints that have hindered advancement in nutritional science. It also provides knowledge about the foods served at school and why vending machines and junk foods have become staples at many schools. Finally, the course looks at the parental, community, marketing, and school-based influences on childhood nutrition.
Course 2: Developing School Wellness-Children Nutritional
Programs
Instructor: Christen Cooper, MS, RD
This course will look at the changing food environment in the U.S., including Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, changes in the school lunch program, and examines school gardens as well as the organic and green movement. It will discuss the three steps to successful nutrition education and ideas for incorporating nutrition and fitness education into the school day. It will ask participants to think creatively about the best ways to reach kids through positive food, fitness and health behaviors.