Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Capstone Project V (Face-to-Face)

NFS 6995-02

Course: NFS 6995-02
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 12953

Course Description

The capstone consists of a supervised learning experience that enables students to apply the knowledge and skills learned. Components of the project include developing a proposal, completing fieldwork off-campus, preparing a capstone portfolio, and giving a final oral defense. The capstone is designed for dietetics students to demonstrate the foundational knowledge acquired in the didactic coursework, as well as the practical skills of problem-solving and critical thinking. Continuation of mentoring first-year students. (Spring) [Graduate Thesis/Capstone Pass/Fail]

Required Texts

N/A. All course materials are found in the "files" tab or in each assignment.

SUU Library resource link: https://www.suu.edu/library/citation-help.html

Learning Outcomes

 ACEND Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to understand and apply the following concepts: • Research methodology, interpretation of research literature, and integration of research principles into evidence-based practice • Communication and documentation skills sufficient for entry into professional practice 

Course Requirements

Course AssessmentsCourse Outcomes
Abstract submission & participationFor UAND & FOE
Reflection papersFor UAND & FOE
Final Capstone paperCapstone requirement
Mentoring journal reflection paperCapstone requirement
RDN practice examsInternship preparation
Final capstone presentationsCourse requirement

Most weekly assignments will be on Friday at 5 pm. There may be exceptions to this policy.

Course Outline

WEEK (dates)TOPICSASSIGNMENTS
Week 1: 1/7 - 1/11Intro to the seminarAbstract draft due 1/11 (Sun.)
Week 2: 1/12 - 1/18Start work on the final paper
Week 3: 1/19 - 1/25Abstract final 1/23
Week 4: 1/26 - 2/1
Week 5: 2/2 - 2/8Register for FOE 2/6
Week 6: 2/9 - 2/15Work on the final paper
Week 7: 2/16 - 2/22Registration UAND due 2/20 (or sooner)
Week 8: 2/23 - 3/1Mentoring final reflection due 2/27
Week 9: 3/2 - 3/8Final capstone draft due 3/6
Week 10: 3/9 - 3/15SPRING BREAK - ENJOY
Week 11: 3/17 - 3/23UAND conference 3/17 - 3/18UAND reflection paper due 3/22
Week 12: 3/24 - 3/30Final Oral Presentations of your research projectRDN practice exam one due 3/27
Week 13: 3/31 - 4/6Final Oral Presentations of your research project Festival of Excellence attendance 3/31Reflection paper FOE due 4/3
Week 14: 4/7 - 4/13Final Oral Presentations of your research projectFinal capstone papers due 4/10
Week 15: 4/14 - 4/20Final Oral Presentations of your research project
Finals week: 4/21 - 4/24RDN practice exam two due 4/21

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

Late work is not accepted in this course without legitimate medical or emergency documentation. In addition, best efforts must be made to notify the instructor before the due date.

Please note that contacting the instructor before a due date does not guarantee an extension, as that decision will be determined based on the nature of the need for an extension. Please note that work schedules, other course deadlines/schedules, technology issues/errors, submission/upload errors, and lack of access to technology devices and/or software are not considered legitimate excuses.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required.

We will not meet every week. This will be communicated in advance.

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/.

Class attendance and participation are required.

Course Fees

No course fees

Registration Restriction(s)

Nutrition and Dietetics students only

All student communication (oral and written) must be professional. Professional emails must be written. "Hey professor" is not considered professional.

Professionalism also applies to attire during any presentation.

Instructions and rubrics for assignments are in Canvas. Please check Canvas first before emailing me with questions.

I will respond to messages within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours on weekends. During holiday breaks, my response time will be longer. Feedback is important for learning. Please review the feedback on your assignments that I have provided.

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.