Nutrition Course Offered by Stanford University - (SCHE)
About the course
As a health and wellness professional, having a sound understanding of the science behind nutrition is crucial to providing informed advice to clients and patients about longevity, vitality, and comprehensive disease management.
The short online course in nutrition from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), part of the Stanford School of Medicine, provides you with a foundation in nutrition as it explores the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body, and how this relates to human health in different contexts of human development.
Under the guidance of renowned Professor Christopher Gardner, you will learn how to interpret nutritional evidence and conduct nutritional assessments and nutritional analyses. You will also gain the knowledge necessary to recognize the value of optimal nutrition in preventive care, develop critical analysis skills for contemporary research, and ultimately earn a SCHE Certificate of Completion.
Course details
- Duration: 8 weeks.
- Number of hours per week: 8 – 10 hours.
- Tempo: At the trainer's pace.
- Classes: Scheduled.
Target group
This course is intended for healthcare professionals, including physicians, occupational therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as lifestyle professionals such as dietitians, fitness trainers, coaches, health educators, and nutrition writers. The curriculum is designed to help these professionals advance their current roles by providing them with the knowledge and frameworks necessary to advise patients and clients on nutritional plans for healthy living and disease prevention.
The importance of health education
Interest in health and nutrition education has increased with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This course introduces learners to the basic concepts of nutrition and how they relate to health. Modules cover the major food groups and their role in human health, as well as various nutrition assessment methods, with an emphasis on the importance of dietary guidelines. The course also provides nutritional information that can be used to maintain a healthy diet and prevent disease.
Course curriculum
Learn the principles of nutrition as you work through the weekly modules of this short online course.
- Orientation Unit: Welcome to the online campus.
- Unit 1: Nutrition Guidelines: Science vs. Politics.
- Unit 2: The Role of Macronutrients: Carbohydrates.
- Unit 3: The Role of Macronutrients: Fats.
- Unit 4: The Role of Macronutrients: Proteins.
- Unit 5: Calorie Balance in Context.
- Unit 6: The Role of Micronutrients: Vitamins.
- Unit 7: The Role of Micronutrients: Minerals.
- Unit 8: Health, Disease, and Nutrition.
- Optional units:
- Optional Unit A: Child Nutrition.
- Elective Unit B: Special Topics in Adult Malnutrition.
About the certificate
Study evidence-based nutrition and earn an official certificate of completion from the Stanford Center for Health Education, part of Stanford School of Medicine.
Assessment is ongoing and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. To earn your digital certificate, you must meet the requirements outlined in the course guide. The guide will be available to you once the course begins.
Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, subject to the stated requirements.
Some facts about the subject
- 59/100: The average American diet's score on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which measures how well eating meets the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
- 28%: Percentage of Americans who reported that their diet worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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How to apply
To apply, visit the following link: Application link .
Important dates
- Start date: June 4, 2025.
- Registration deadline: June 9, 2025.