Nutrition Assistant Program
Health Education Department
Welcome!
The Nutrition Assistant Program values the promotion of healthy living through education, nutrition resources, meal programs, outreach, and referral in our diverse multi-ethnic populations. The program is committed to train students to provide culturally sensitive, quality nutrition care to help clients achieve optimal health and well-being at every stage of life. Graduates of the program work as entry-level nutrition staff in public health and health care settings, such as Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Programs, senior nutrition programs, public health agencies, University of California Cooperative Extension, schools and child care settings, hospitals and other health care facilities. Others may continue their educational pathway to transfer, or pursue a degree in dietetics, public health, or other related fields.
Admission Information
Admission to the program is based on the following:
- Completion of HLTH 170, Introduction to Dietetics Profession, with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Recommended completion of ENGL 88 or ESL 186 or placement in ENGL 1A or ESL 188.
All applicants to the program must enroll in HLTH 170 which is offered the first five weeks of the fall semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Plan and facilitate nutrition-related services.
- Apply basic nutrition and food safety principles.
- Apply learner-centered facilitation skills for group and individual nutrition education.
- Assess and integrate professional skills necessary for employment in the nutrition field.
Become a Nutrition Assistant
Help others improve their health
Teach about nutrition and healthy eating, assure food safety and sanitation, plan nutritious meals.
Earn a Certificate of Achievement
The Nutrition Assistant Program is a two-semester certificate program designed to develop competency in the delivery of nutrition-related services.
Work at These Locations
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Programs, Head Start, UC Cooperative Extension, Senior Nutrition Programs, Public Health Departments, Schools/Child Care Settings, Hospitals
Graduates of the program work as entry-level nutrition staff in public health, community, or health care settings.
Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement
First Semester (Fall) - 7 units
HLTH 170 - Introduction to Dietetics Profession (1 unit, hybrid online)
Focuses on the scope and nature of work in the nutrition field, including higher education pathways, career opportunities, professional roles, skills, responsibilities, ethics. Includes guest presentations by various nutrition paraprofessionals and networking opportunities with registered dietitians. This course is a prerequisite for acceptance of the Nutrition Assistant Program.
HLTH 172 - Foodways, Nutrition & Health (3 units, hybrid online)
A study of the cultural and socioeconomic influences on the food habits of different ethnic groups in the United States and their diet-related health risks and implications. Cross-cultural counseling strategies, food service sanitation and safety, and optimal use of the food dollar will also be covered.
BIO 134 - Introduction to Nutrition for Health Sciences (3 units, face-to-face, or online)
An introductory nutrition course intended for students interested in entering the allied health fields with emphasis on physiology, metabolism of nutrients, metabolic diseases and dietary modification to optimize recovery and health. Students will understand and evaluate dietary intake, nutritional assessment, and nutrition care commonly used at clinics and hospitals.
Second Semester (Spring) - 13 units
HLTH 173 - Life Span Nutrition & Assessment (4 units, 12-weeks, hybrid online)
Nutritional needs and special nutrition issues common at different periods of the life cycle from conception, pregnancy and lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, young, middle and late adulthood. Also covers nutrition screening parameters to assess nutrition risk for each life stage.
HLTH 174A - Intro to Clinical Nutrition (2 units, 6 weeks, hybrid online)
This course focuses on the basic principles of medical nutrition therapy, covering the relationships among diseases, disorders and nutrition, and examines how diet therapy by itself or along with other treatment modalities promotes recovery and achievement of optimal nutritional status.
HLTH 174B - Community Nutrition (2 units, 6 weeks, hybrid online)
This course focuses on nutrition applications in public health, including food and nutrition assistance programs and resources, nutrition-related problems in the community, learner-centered education strategies and group facilitation skills for effective nutrition education outreach.
HLTH 175 - Professional Skills for Nutrition Assistants (2 units, 10 weeks, fully online)
This course addresses key professional concepts and skills for students enrolled in the Nutrition Assistant Certificate Program and co-enrolled in an internship course.
HLTH 175W - Nutrition Assistant Field Experience (2.5 units, 10 weeks, 160 hours minimum- internship)
Students complete a field experience with local employers to gain meaningful work experience and earn credit towards their Nutrition Assistant Certificate.
HLTH 175L - Nutrition Assistant Clinic (0.5 units, 3 hrs lecture, 16 hrs lab)
As part of the field experience of the Nutrition Assistant Program, the Nutrition Clinic will provide the opportunity to conduct nutrition counseling services for the campus community, including intake, assessment, motivational interviewing, diet analysis, nutrition education, and documentation under the supervision of registered dietitian faculty.