Nutrition, minor

Program Overview

What is the best diet to follow? Does Vitamin C help prevent sickness? How is food digested? If these types of questions intrigue you, or you are interested in developing a healthy, balanced lifestyle and helping others do the same, consider adding a nutrition minor.

The minor program in nutrition from PLNU features a comprehensive study of the fundamental principles of food, human development, and nutritional requirements. Classes in food economics, cultural foods, life cycle nutrition, and nutrition in women's well-being will teach you specialized knowledge and skills that add value and depth to your undergraduate degree. You'll also benefit from taking courses within a nutrition program ranked in the top 25 in the nation by Public Health Online that aims to strategically combine theory with practical application centered around professional preparedness.

Student Profile

Matt Arnold

Matt Arnold wants to work in many areas of the food service industry from being a cook to management in restaurants with different atmospheres and cuisines before reaching his goal of opening his own restaurant.

Course List

Department Faculty

Karen Alexander, J.D.
Professor of Sociology and Social Work (Criminal Justice)
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
kalexand@pointloma.edu
Jeffrey Carr, Ed.D.
Chief Diversity Officer
Associate Vice President
Adjunct Faculty of Sociology and Social Work
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2415
Colleen Jensen Cook, ASW, MSW
Professor of Sociology and Social Work
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2287 ccook1@pointloma.edu
Tim Dabney, MPM
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2287 tdabney@pointloma.edu
Daniel Davis, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(707) 362-0186 (voice message only) ddavi1@pointloma.edu
Alfonso Esquer, M.S.C.J., M.S.W.
Program Director of Criminal Justice
Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
alfonsoesquer@pointloma.edu
Marshall H. Fields, III., Esq.
Adjunct Professor, B.A. in Criminal Justice and M.A. in Organizational Leadership
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
mfields@pointloma.edu
Jamie Gates, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2659 jamiegates@pointloma.edu
Maria George, M.Ed., M.P.H.
Adjunct Professor, Child Development
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
mariageorge@pointloma.edu
Rachael Horn Langford, M.A.
Adjunct Faculty Sociology
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
rhornlan@pointloma.edu
Laurence M. Ingraham, M.A.
Adjunct Professor
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2859 lingraha@pointloma.edu
Bernard Johnson, M.S.Ed.
Instructional Designer
Course Developer
Adjunct Professor, Child Development
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
bernardjohnson@pointloma.edu
Brittany Johnson, PhD, RDN, CSSD
Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2366 brittanyjohnson@pointloma.edu
Rebecca Knisely, M.Ed.
Adjunct Professor, BA Child Development
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
rebeccaknisely@pointloma.edu
Patricia Leslie, Ph.D., MSW
Director of Social Work
Professor of Social Work
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2676 patricialeslie@pointloma.edu
Kevin Modesto, Ph.D., MSW, MATS
Co-Chair, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
Professor of Sociology and Social Work
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2368 kmodesto@pointloma.edu
Susan Rogers, M.A.
Co-Chair, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
Academic Director, PLNU Early Childhood Learning Center
Associate Professor
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2245 srogers@pointloma.edu
Rachel Rose, M.A.
Adjunct Professor, Child Development
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
rachelrose@pointloma.edu
Jody Roubanis, Ed.D., C.F.C.S.
Professor
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2270 jodyroubanis@pointloma.edu
Mark Ryan, M.P.A
Director of Public Safety
Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
markryan@pointloma.edu
Amanda Segovia-Hale, Ed.D.
Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
amandasegovia@pointloma.edu
Aleta Slater, M.A.
Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
aslater1@pointloma.edu
Cindy Swann, MS, RD, CDE
DPD Director
Associate Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2351 cindyswann@pointloma.edu
Jimiliz (Jimi) Valiente-Neighbours, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Work
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-3001
Daphney Wadley, M.A.
Program Director, B.A. in Child Development Adult Degree Completion
Assistant Professor
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2392 dwadley@pointloma.edu
Margaret Wing-Peterson, M.S., R.D.
Assistant Professor
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
(619) 849-2390
Stacey Wright, M.S.E.
Adjunct Professor, Child Development
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences
staceywright@pointlom.edu

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Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future.

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Career Opportunities

With an increasing global awareness of how decisions around food directly affect health and well-being, there is a greater demand for professionals with in-depth knowledge about nutrition. Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences graduates are sought out because of their deeply rooted passion for serving people and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

A minor in nutrition can be a useful complement to a variety of careers, including:

Hospital Dietitian
Food Preparation Facility Manager
Nutritionist
Nutrition Consultant
Food Science Researcher

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Eating only local foods may have its limits... Still, discover how we can each do our part to reap the benefits of local eating.

Read More in the Viewpoint Online Magazine

Get Involved

PLNU students in cap and gown celebrate receiving their diplomas during commencement

Phi Upsilon Omicron

Phi Upsilon Omicron is the national honors society in family and consumer sciences for PLNU students in child development, dietetics, and nutrition and food.