Top leaders, managers, new hires and even college students can enhance their competency through the Public Health Nutrition Online Certificate of Training (CoT) program. 

The CoT program contains five separate online modules that build on one another and focus on the fundamental components of public health nutrition. The affordable self-study series includes web links and resources for additional online learning opportunities. 

ASPHN President Takako Tagami, MS, MBA, RD, LD, Nutrition Specialist with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, has taken the online course and earned her Certificate of Training. States Tagami, "Everyone in public health nutrition can benefit from this program. I have worked as a state public health nutritionist since the mid 1990s and hold a master's degree focused on nutrition and dietetics, yet I never had classes related to public health nutrition in grad school. This program exposed me to theoretical frameworks and strategies for successful outcomes that I had not considered."

Indeed, some states are finding the training so valuable that they are offering it to all employees involved in public health nutrition. Adds Tagami, "This is a great way to get everyone on the same page. Public health nutritionists work in partnership, and obtaining the same training allows us to effectively join forces for healthy food sources."

The Online Certificate of Training program was developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic’s Center for Lifelong Learning and planned in conjunction with ASPHN. Reviewers include the Committee for Public Health/Community Nutrition (CPHCN) and the Public Health and Community Nutrition Practice Group (PHCNPG).

For more information or questions, please contact Karen Probert, MS, RD at karen@asphn.org or 814 255-2829 ext. 701.

Founded in 1952, ASPHN is a non-profit membership organization that provides state and national leadership on food and nutrition policy, programs and services aimed at improving the health of our population. ASPHN’s membership is composed of more than 300 public health nutritionists located throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. ASPHN's vision is healthy eating and active living for everyone. You can find ASPHN on the web at www.asphn.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/asphn.