Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program. A Focus on Sustainability and Expansion

Abstract

ObjectiveTransition components of an ongoing graduate certificate program in transdisciplinary obesity prevention (TOP) to sustainable practices and explore the feasibility of program expansion.DescriptionSouth Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have collaborated to build a TOP certificate program that engages graduate students in transdisciplinary coursework, experiential learning, and research. Curriculum components have undergone revision to ensure sustainability. Feasibility of expansion via online and hybrid delivery has been explored.EvaluationProcess evaluation is used to assess and improve the program.Conclusions and ImplicationsMeasures have been taken to ensure the TOP certificate program will be sustained at SDSU and UNL after grant funding has expired. Program expansion efforts will focus on developing a stronger on-site recruitment process before expanding to offsite students.FundingUSDA Grant #2011-67002-30202. ObjectiveTransition components of an ongoing graduate certificate program in transdisciplinary obesity prevention (TOP) to sustainable practices and explore the feasibility of program expansion. Transition components of an ongoing graduate certificate program in transdisciplinary obesity prevention (TOP) to sustainable practices and explore the feasibility of program expansion. DescriptionSouth Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have collaborated to build a TOP certificate program that engages graduate students in transdisciplinary coursework, experiential learning, and research. Curriculum components have undergone revision to ensure sustainability. Feasibility of expansion via online and hybrid delivery has been explored. South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have collaborated to build a TOP certificate program that engages graduate students in transdisciplinary coursework, experiential learning, and research. Curriculum components have undergone revision to ensure sustainability. Feasibility of expansion via online and hybrid delivery has been explored. EvaluationProcess evaluation is used to assess and improve the program. Process evaluation is used to assess and improve the program. Conclusions and ImplicationsMeasures have been taken to ensure the TOP certificate program will be sustained at SDSU and UNL after grant funding has expired. Program expansion efforts will focus on developing a stronger on-site recruitment process before expanding to offsite students. Measures have been taken to ensure the TOP certificate program will be sustained at SDSU and UNL after grant funding has expired. Program expansion efforts will focus on developing a stronger on-site recruitment process before expanding to offsite students.