Course Overview
Utah State University Extension offers the National Nutrition Certification Program (NNCP) is a flexible, self-paced online course designed to strengthen foundational nutrition knowledge for professionals working in nutrition education, including SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, and WIC.
This course has been created by Utah’s SNAP-Education program, Create Better Health, and is made available through Utah State University Extension Online Programs. Utah State University Extension has partnered with the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) to enhance the content and cultural awareness of the course. The updated course includes new videos and an engaging storyline.
The National Nutrition Certification Program consists of 18 modules aimed at training new community nutrition educators and increasing their understanding of basic nutrition concepts such as macro and micronutrients, dietary guidelines and MyPlate.
Key modules for educators include:
- Scope of Practice: Helps educators identify their teaching boundaries and differentiate between evidence-based nutrition information and misinformation found online and on social media.
- Art of Teaching: Develops the skills needed to facilitate classes in the community effectively.
- Cooking Skills: These modules were created by a faculty member who is also a trained chef to provide instruction on basic cooking methods.
We believe this program will empower new employees and boost their confidence in teaching. It is ideal for new staff, peer educators, and anyone seeking a refresher in evidence-based nutrition concepts. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate from USU Extension, which may support continuing education or professional development goals. The certificate awarded upon completion is valid for three years.
Registration
Recently, Utah State University Extension has implemented a $25 registration cost for this program (previously free). In Washington SNAP-Ed, many Providers have found this course extremely helpful and informative.