Appendix 2.6.c. Public Health Nutrition MPH Program Competency Statement

The Public Health Nutrition program (NUTR) serves applicants with career goals in public health and applied nutrition, nutrition education, community intervention and nutritional epidemiology. The program emphasizes nutritional assessment, program planning, health behavior change and intervention strategies, research and evaluation methods and policy development. Curriculum is based on competencies developed by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/CADEHandbook.pdf in keeping with the survey of the public health nutrition workforce (1999-2000 http://www.fns.usda.gov/OANE/MENU/Published/WIC/FILES/Publichealthsurvey.pdf) and Guidelines for Community Nutrition Supervised Experiences http://www.phcnpg.org/commnutr.html.

Competency Area
Specific Competencies	Learning Opportunities	Evaluation Opportunities
Theoretical and skill-based knowledge of nutrition science needed for public health nutrition practice
Demonstrate an understanding of biological and physiological processes that affect nutrient needs of individuals and populations across the lifespan Demonstrate understanding of psychosocial processes that affect nutrient needs of individuals and populations across the lifespan Identify, utilize and interpret appropriate nutrition screening and assessment parameters for individuals and populations Measure and interpret dietary intake of individuals and populations Measure and interpret body composition data	PubH 6933 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases PubH 6915 Nutrition Assessment PubH 6389 Nutrition Epidemiology PubH 6902 Maternal and Infant Nutrition PubH 6903 Child and Adolescent Nutrition PubH 6904 Nutrition and Aging PubH 6905 Human Nutrition and Health PubH 6355 Pathophysiology and Human Disease Dietetic internship (optional)	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master project oral exam
Methodological and analytic skills necessary to acquire, analyze, and apply data to enact the core public health functions of assessment, assurance, and policy development, and be able to evaluate nutrition programs and services for populations
Describe and utilize qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods Prepare justified program budgets Illustrate components of nutrition surveillance systems	PubH 6320 Fundamental of Epidemiology PubH 6330 Epidemiology I PubH 7994 Masters Project PubH 6414 Biostatistical Methods PubH 6450 Biostatistics I PubH 6806 Principles of Public Health Research PubH 6910 Critical Review of Research in Public Health Nutrition PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6914 Community Nutrition Intervention PubH 6320 Fundamental of Epidemiology PubH 6330 Epidemiology I PubH 6034 Program Evaluation for Public Health Practice PubH 6852 Program Evaluation in Health and Mental Health Settings PubH 7994 Masters Project PubH 7996 Field Experience	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master project oral exam
Organizational management and leadership skills needed to develop, implement and sustain systems of care, programs and interventions (including preventive and treatment) for improving the nutritional health of populations
Identify characteristics of public health and nutrition systems Describe relationships between public health and nutrition systems and community programs	PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6914 Community Nutrition Intervention PubH 6751 Principles of Management in Health Service Organizations PubH 6752 Public Health Management PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 7994 Masters Project PubH 7996 Field Experience	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Policy and advocacy skills to promote the nutritional health of populations in policies, laws (e.g., Title V), and regulations in public and private sectors
Understand and describe policy development processes at local, state and national levels Analyze effects of public policy on public health and nutrition systems, programs and services	PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6741 Ethics in Public Health: Professional Practice and Policy PubH 6742 Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy PubH 7996 Field Experience American Dietetic Association Public Policy Workshop (optional)	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Cultural competency skills to develop programs and services that are responsive to the cultural, social, linguistic, and ethnic diversity of the community.
Define cultural and linguistic competency Understand effects of linguistic and cultural diversity health status of individuals and populations Assess and address issues of health literacy in individuals and populations Demonstrate and describe methods of community engagement Describe factors associated with and effects of health disparities	PubH 6900 Global Nutrition PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6902 Maternal and Infant Nutrition PubH 6903 Child and Adolescent Nutrition PubH 6904 Nutrition and Aging PubH 6914 Community Nutrition Intervention PubH 6910 Critical Review of Research in Public Health Nutrition PubH 7996 Field Experience PubH 7994 Masters Project	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Insight into leadership styles and an awareness of personally authentic strategies for affecting their visions of change and capacity to improve the nutritional health of populations
Identify strategies for developing partnerships, collaborative programs and community coalitions Create and articulate a mission, value statement and vision for public health nutrition programs and services Demonstrate team building, negotiation, motivation and conflict resolution skills	PubH 6900 Global Nutrition PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6902 Maternal and Infant Nutrition PubH 6903 Child and Adolescent Nutrition PubH 6904 Nutrition and Aging PubH 6914 Community Nutrition Intervention PubH 6910 Critical Review of Research in Public Health Nutrition PubH 6751 Principles of Management in Health Service Organizations PubH 6752 Public Health Management PubH 7996 Field Experience PubH 7994 Masters Project	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Ethics and professionalism
Identify principles underlying ethics (eg, social justice) Demonstrate ability to utilize knowledge and evidence-based guidelines to make decisions Demonstrate commitment to professional development and service Develop personal sense of integrity, honesty and social justice Identify and communicate the impact of legal or regulatory policies on health of individuals and populations	PubH 6741 Ethics in Public Health: Professional Practice and Policy PubH 6742 Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy PubH 6751 Principles of Management in Health Service Organizations PubH 6752 Public Health Management PubH 7996 Field Experience PubH 7994 Masters Project	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Written and verbal communication skills and information systems
Identify and illustrate the principles of public health communication strategies (eg social marketing) Translate research into health promotion and disease prevention strategies, policies, programs and services Demonstrate ability to write grants Apply technology methods to core public health functions (program planning, implementation and evaluation, community assessment)	PubH 6901 Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Programs PubH 6902 Maternal and Infant Nutrition PubH 6903 Child and Adolescent Nutrition PubH 6904 Nutrition and Aging PubH 6914 Community Nutrition Intervention PubH 6910 Critical Review of Research in Public Health Nutrition PubH 7996 Field Experience PubH 7994 Masters Project	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam
Critical thinking skills
Integrate knowledge and skills from public health, nutrition, ethics and management in all aspects of public health practice	PubH 7996 Field Experience PubH 7994 Masters Project	Satisfactory completion of coursework Completion of 2 field experiences with satisfactory review by preceptor Completion of 6-week block experience with satisfactory review by preceptor Successful defense of master’s project oral exam

Appendix 2.6.c. Public Health Nutrition MPH Program Competency Statement

Competency Area