Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Nutrition Communication and Counseling (Hybrid)

NFS 4040-30Y

Course: NFS 4040-30Y
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ASNS
CRN: 30537

Course Description

Communication and counseling skills/strategies to enhance dietary change. A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or above must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a Human Nutrition major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): NFS 1020 and NFS 2020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): Human Nutrition majors and minors only

Required Texts

 Required Textbook: “Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills, A Guide for Professionals”, 8th Edition  Holli and Beto. 

Learning Outcomes

 After completing the course, students who are successful in this class will be able to do the following: 
  • Identify learning barriers and appropriate nutrition education goals for various counseling scenarios
  • Use techniques of interviewing and counseling and conduct a food and nutrition interview
  • Apply behavior modification principles in counseling
  • Compare and contrast learning theories, strategies, and methods/techniques of education; use them in planning, implementing, and evaluating a nutrition education session
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate an individual or education session using appropriate media
  • Understand and develop nutrition education materials for varying populations

Course Requirements

Class:  This is a hybrid course with class held Mon and Wed face-to-face (unless indicated otherwise). Most Fridays are completed online, asynchronously, or with specific assignments. Attendance is required. There may be a few required Fridays at the end of the semester to do final presentations.  Accommodations for missing class due to Covid quarantine and sickness will be provided once a “Covid Self Report” is submitted https://www.suu.edu/coronavirus/.

Most weekly assignments and quizzes are due on Fridays at 5 pm. .

Chapter Assignments:
Before class, read the assigned chapter in preparation for class participation and complete the chapter assignment. Chapter assignments must be completed per the syllabus schedule and submitted via Canvas.  No assignments will be accepted late (see late policy).

Class Participation + case scenarios (20%):
Daily student participation is imperative to learning and class success.  Ten points will be awarded per class for discussion participation and the case submission.  Participation points for missed classes cannot be made up. I am happy to meet with you if you miss a class.

Class participation will be based on the following criteria (this list is illustrative, not exhaustive):
  1. Attempts to answer questions that are asked of the class
  2. Asks meaningful questions about the material being discussed
  3. Share with the class/small group relevant information found outside of class, including interpretation of the chapter reading.
  4. Contributes positively to the class discussion.

The following are critical to your success, but do NOT constitute participation:
  1. Arriving at class on time
  2. Paying attention during lectures and media
  3. Respectful listening when others are speaking

Participation and case scenarios (20%): Case scenarios are due the night before class. Case scenarios will occur every class for the first half of the semester. Students will be asked to lead the case scenarios.

Assignments (60%): There will be many weekly assignments and some in-class assignments. In-class assignments cannot be made up. (It is recommended, however, that you complete the assignment so you understand the material covered.)

Key assignments include (see Canvas for details):
  • Nutrition tips document
  • Behavior change application
  • Nutrition counseling project
  • Nutrition education handout
  • Nutrition education lesson project

Quizzes 10%: There will be weekly timed quizzes, multiple choice.

Final reflection (10%):  This assignment replaces a final exam. Details to follow.

 

Course Outline

KEY ASSIGNMENT DATES:

9/12/25:  Nutrition tips is due
9/20/25:  Initial client interview is due
10/3/25:  Nutrition education draft is due
10/10/25: Behavior change/nutrition application assignment is due
10/17/25: Nutrition education handout draft is due
10/26/25: Final client project is due
11/17/25: Education lesson plan is due



Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 
LATE/MAKE-UP WORK 

Late Work: Work turned in late will receive a zero (except for extenuating circumstances). Most assignment due dates will be Friday at 5 PM. Assignments need to be legible and typed on a computer. No handwritten assignments will be accepted. 

Makeup Work or In-Class Activities: No make-ups without medical or equivalent (e.g., school excused) reasons or under extreme circumstances. 

Attendance Policy

 ATTENDANCE HYBRID: Although attendance is not graded, class participation is graded.  Please be on time for class. Being late for class is disruptive to the class. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.