A graduate degree in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee can lead to excellent careers and professional opportunities in public health, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
The program’s mission is to promote an understanding of public health nutrition, including assessment, policy development, and assurance, for the enrichment of the physiological and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
One of only eight programs in the country for nutrition leadership education and training for the maternal and child population. Our program focuses on public health nutrition and leads to a graduate degree. The Public Health Nutrition program’s strengths are the use of evidenced-based guidance and its applications to public health issues, including those of the maternal and child population, overweight and obesity. The Public Health Nutrition field experiences are essential to understanding how nutrition programs and services are integrated in community health care delivery systems. Students develop an understanding of and appreciation for the realities of public health nutrition practice and how nutrition-related community priorities and needs are addressed by the public health system. Students integrate theory with practice by interacting with nutrition professionals and community members. They gain confidence in themselves as professionals, develop professional contacts, and clarify career objectives. Along with 8-week block field experiences, students complete two 45 hour practicum courses (NUTR 514). The block field experience gives Public Health Nutrition students the opportunity to practice full time with supervision by an experienced field preceptor. It includes one week of an experience at an interdisciplinary/inter-professional setting, such as Cherokee Health Systems, and seven weeks at a field agency. The field experiences are individually tailored to each student based on expressed priorities and interests. The field experience is a great opportunity for students to experience full-time practice and further develop their knowledge and skills. The block field experience is completed at the conclusion of didactic study as NUTR 515 (Field Study in Community Nutrition). Examples of past field placements include: Practice experiences are incorporated into two 45-hour practicum courses to augment the didactic component of NUTR 503 and 504. Students work with public health nutritionists at the Knox County Health Department, which is a comprehensive metropolitan health department, and other community nutrition agencies. Students learn about how to conduct a community nutrition assessment, as well as, plan, implement, and evaluate programs that benefit the local community.
Block Field Experiences
Practicum
More information on Public Health Nutrition MS Program
More information on Dual MS-MPH Program
More information on Nutritional Sciences PhD Program
For more information on the Public Health Nutrition Program, contact:
Marsha Spence, PhD, MPH, RDN, LDN
Professor of Practice
Director, Public Health Nutrition Graduate Program
Department of Nutrition
1215 Cumberland Avenue
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-1920
Phone: 865-974-6265
Fax: 865-974-3491