Nutrition clinic: an integral component of an undergraduate curriculum.

Piloted in 1972 in collaboration with the University Health Services, Pennsylvania State University's Nutrition Clinic and Consultation Center was designed to provide supervised beginning counseling experiences for undergraduate nutrition students, a nutrition counseling service for university students and area residents, and an applied research program. The clinic program has evolved over time and has received enthusiastic response from students, clients, health professionals, faculty, and university administration. The clinic has now become an integral part of the University Health Services program, an essential element in the undergraduate curriculum, a contributing factor in graduate education, and a nutrition counseling resource for area residents and physicians. The staff has identified several research and communication needs and fostered an interdisciplinary counseling skills research program. In addition, the clinic investment has stimulated more applied nutrition experiences for students and raised nutrition consciousness levels throughout the university and the community. Elements of this model can be adapted to available budgetary and academic resources.