Dept.

of Health and Nutrition Sciences

2900 Bedford Ave. • Brooklyn, NY 11210

HNSC 3270 Professional Development in Nutrition and Dietetics

Semester: Spring 2023

Section: 1T11, 1 credit
Class time: Tuesday 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Class meeting:   ONLINE Synchronous
Instructor:    Raghda Alraei, DCN, MS, RD, CDCES
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:45-12:12:15 PM in-person, or via zoom by
appointment
Contact email: ralraei@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office phone: 718-951-5026

Course Description:

An introduction to the profession of nutrition and dietetics which explores practice, leadership and
professionalism as well as career options. Students will become familiar with current standards of
practice, regulation and ethics in the field.

Prerequisite Courses

HNSC Biology 1001, Biology 1002, HNSC 2210, HNSC 2300, HNSC 3230, HNSC3250

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the importance of leadership in the field of nutrition and dietetics
• Describe the scope of practice in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Describe central policy issues impacting the field including reimbursement of services
• Initiate/develop a pre-professional portfolio

This course contributes to the following ACEND KRDN (knowledge Requirements):

 KRDN 2.2 Describe the governance of nutrition and dietetic practice such as the Scope of
Practice/Code of Ethics 
 KRDN 4.3 Demonstrate an understanding of regulation system related to billing and coding,
what services are reimbursable by third party payers, and how reimbursement may be
obtained 
 KRDN 5.1 Perform self- assessment that includes awareness in terms of learning and
leadership styles and cultural orientation and develop goals 
 KRDN 5.2 Identify and articulate one’s skills strengths knowledge and experience relevant to
career goals  

Spring 2023, HNSC 3270

  KRDN 5.3 Practice how to self -advocate for opportunities in a variety of settings
 KRDN 5.6 Demonstrate the importance and expectations of professional
mentoring/precepting.

Required Textbooks

Payne-Palacio, J. & Canter, D. (2014). The Profession of Dietetics A Team Approach (5th ed.) Burlington,
MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Additional materials will be posted on Blackboard

Grading

Numeric Letter
Score Grade
98 -100 A+
92 – 97 A
90 - 91 A-
86 - 89 B+
82 – 85 B
80 - 81 B-
76 - 79 C+
72 - 75 C
70 - 71 C-
66 - 69 D+
62 - 65 D
60 - 61 D-
≤59 F

Unless otherwise stated, a curve will not be used.

COURSE EVALUATION/FINAL GRADE

Your final course grade will be comprised of the following components:

Quizzes (2) 40% (20% each)

Cover Letter 10%
Ethics Assignment 10%
Leadership Paper 10%
Pre-Professional Portfolio 30%
Total Grade 100%

Quizzes:

There will be two online quizzes based on the materials covered and textbook reading. The quizzes
will include multiple choice or short answer questions. Students are expected to answer the questions
without looking at course materials (KRDN 2.2, 5.3).
Cover Letter

Spring 2023, HNSC 3270

You need to write a cover letter for a hypothetical job application in the field of dietetics. You need to
be able to self-advocate and show why you are the right person for this job (KRDN 5.3)

Ethics Assignment

This assignment will include situations and ethical issues in professional practice. You will need to
answer the questions about the ethical issues using the Academy or Nutrition and Dietetics Code of
Ethics (KRDN 2.2).

Leadership Paper

You need to write a two- page paper about leadership skills required in order to succeed in the
profession. Paper instructions will be posted on Blackboard later in the course (KRDN 5.1, 5.6).

Pre-Professional Portfolio

Guidelines for completing the portfolio will be posted on Blackboard. You need to initiate and develop a
portfolio that portrays your progress and achievements related to the KRDNs (competencies) for entry-level
dietitians established by the Accreditation Council in Nutrition and Dietetics. The portfolio will include self-
assessment, goals, resume, cover letter, awards, honors, volunteer work and coursework that represent
completion of the knowledge requirements in the courses that you have completed: HNSC 2210, 2220/2221,
2222/2223 and 3210, 3250. The digital portfolio can be prepared on a website: www.weebly.com. (KRDN
5.1, 5.2, 5.3)

Tentative Course Schedule

Date Topic Readings

Tuesday 1/25/23
Tuesday 1/31/23
Tuesday 2/7/23
Tuesday 2/14/23
Tuesday 2/21/23
Tuesday 2/28/23
Tuesday 3/7/23
Tuesday 3/14/23
Tuesday 3/21/23
Tuesday 3/28/23
Tuesday 4 /4/23
Tuesday 4/11/23
Tuesday 4/18/23
Introduction to Course
History of the Dietetics Profession Chapter 1
Career Paths in Nutrition and Chapter 2
Dietetics
Dietetics Education and Training Chapter 5
Conversion Day – No Class
The Dietetic Internship Chapter 6
Credentialing: Dietetic Registration Chapter 7
Licensure and Certification Materials will be
posted on Blackboard
Membership in Professional Chapter 8
Organization
Midterm Quiz
Portfolio Development: Resume Chapter 4
Goals
Spring Break
A Team Approach: Responsibilities Chapter 3
in the Workplace
Cover Letter Due

Spring 2023, HNSC 3270

 Tuesday 4/25/23 Reimbursement for Services:
Coding and Billing

Tuesday 5/2/23 Professional Practice Chapter 10

Leadership Paper Due

Tuesday 5/9/23 Trends and Future Directions Chapter 9

Ethics Assignment Due
Tuesday 5/16/23 Pre- Professional Portfolio Due
Tuesday 5/23/23 Final Quiz

COLLEGE POLICIES
 
Academic Integrity 
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and
plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for
avoiding both.  The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College
procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site:
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies  . If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity
and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member
MUST report the violation. NO EXCEPTIONS!  Any violation of the following will result in a grade of 0 for the
assignment or activity. 

Types of Academic Dishonesty Explicitly Prohibited

 Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aides, devices
or communication during an academic exercise.
 Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writings as your own.
 Internet plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing
or copying information from the internet without citing the source, and “cutting & pasting” from various
sources without proper attribution.
 Obtaining unfair advantage is any activity that intentionally or unintentionally gives a student an unfair
advantage in his/her academic work over another student. This includes sharing specific information
about exam questions with other students. 
 Falsification of records and official documents includes, but is not limited to, forging signatures of
authorization and falsifying information on an official academic record.
 

Center for Student Disability Services 

In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered
with the Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS).  Students who have a documented disability
or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the
Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have
already registered with the CSDS please provide your professor with the course accommodation

Spring 2023, HNSC 3270

form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her as soon as possible and at an
appropriate time.

Student Absence on Account of Religious Belief 

A student who, for religious reasons, does not attend classes on a particular day or days shall be excused
from any examination or other work.  The student shall have equivalent opportunity to make up any
examination or study or work requirements. Please make every effort to notify me beforehand of any
planned absences for religious reasons.  For a full description of the policy, consult the Brooklyn College
Bulletin.   

Spring 2023, HNSC 3270