COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                                                                          1
                               Course Description
                               Welcome to the ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program! This course is designed to prepare you 
                               to help your clients develop healthy eating habits and increase their understanding of nutrition 
                               and its relationship to exercise. We created this syllabus to guide you through this study program, 
                               which combines traditional textbook learning with an interactive digital learning experience that 
                               takes you step-by-step through the fundamentals of nutrition, intake and assessment, behavior 
                               change, sports nutrition, and much more. The knowledge and skills you will acquire in this course 
                               are essential components in helping others reach their health and fitness goals.
                               In addition to readings from the following manuals:
                                 •   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                 •   ACE Coaching Behavior Change Manual
                                 •   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health Professionals Manual
                               You will also have access to:
                                 •   Online educational videos
                                 •   Audio coaching podcast 
                                 •   Client case studies 
                                 •   Practice quizzes
                               These materials will enhance your learning experience and reinforce the information you acquire 
                               through the provided texts.
                               By completing these activities, as well as the multiple-choice quizzes at the end of each lesson, you 
                               will increase your understanding of the information and, ultimately, your ability to apply it to your 
                               work as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist. Furthermore, completing the quizzes is a great way to gauge 
                               your learning and identify the material you need to review or determine if you’re ready to continue to 
                               the next section.
                               COURSE SUPPORT
                               If you have any questions or need assistance while completing your study program, visit the ACE 
                               Resource Center at: ACEfitness.org/ResourceCenter.
                               COURSE STRUCTURE
                               The ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program is divided into modules that include chapter reading 
                               assignments, video and audio activities, case studies, and quizzes. See below for specific course 
                               content and a checklist of items to complete for each module. 
                               While you may be tempted to jump around to different subjects that interest you, for the most 
                               effective learning experience we recommend completing the study materials in the order in which 
                               they are presented.
     American Council on Exercise  l  ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program Syllabus
     COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                                                                                          2
                                  COURSE TIME COMMITMENT
                                  This is a self-paced, self-directed course. For the most complete preparation and understanding of 
                                  the material, complete each module as it is presented in the online program. Once you feel confident 
                                  with the material, take the quizzes.
                                   MODULE          SUBJECT                               ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE
                                   Course                                                o  Read: Course Overview
                                   Introduction                                          o  Watch: Course Introduction
                                   Module 1        ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Watch: Nutrition Scope of Practice
                                                   Chapter 1: Scope of Practice          o  Read: Chapter 1 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Read: Chapter 2 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual 
                                                   Chapter 2: Basic Nutrition and 
                                                   Digestion
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Watch: Nutrition How To’s
                                                   Chapter 3: Principles of Nutrition    o  Read: Chapter 3 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   for the Health and Fitness 
                                                   Professional
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Read: Chapter 4 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   Chapter 4: Nutrition for Special 
                                                   Populations
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Review: Health, Nutrition, and Fitness Questionnaire
                                                   Chapter 5: Nutrition Coaching         o  Watch: Developing Nutrition Programs
                                                                                         o  Watch: ACE Presents Fitness Nutrition
                                                                                         o  Read: Chapter 5 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   ACE Coaching Behavior Change          o  Read: Chapter 4 of the ACE Coaching Behavior 
                                                   Manual, Chapter 4: Stages of               Change Manual
                                                   Change                                o  Listen: Stages of Change Podcast
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Watch: Grocery Store Tour
                                                   Chapter 6: Essential of Meal          o  Watch: Cooking Demonstrations
                                                   Selection and Preparation             o  Review: Grocery Store Tour Handout
                                                                                         o  Read: Chapter 6 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual,         o  Watch: Now Grow Your Business 
                                                   Chapter 7: Essentials for Growing  o  Read: Chapter 7 of the ACE Fitness Nutrition Manual
                                                   Your Business
                                                   Module 1 Quiz                         o  Complete: Module 1 ACE Fitness Nutrition Quiz
     American Council on Exercise  l  ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program Syllabus
     COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                                                                                       3
                                   MODULE         SUBJECT                              ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE
                                   Module 2       ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 1 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter 1:          Health Professionals Manual 
                                                  Carbohydrates                        o  Complete: Chapter 1 Practice Quiz
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Watch: Muscle Protein Catabolism
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter 2:     o  Read: Chapter 2 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  Protein                                   Health Professionals Manual
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 2 Case Study
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 2 Practice Quiz
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Watch: Fat Digestion and Absorption
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter        o  Read: Chapter 3 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  3: Fat                                    Health Professionals Manual
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 3 Case Study
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 3 Practice Quiz
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 4 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter 4:          Health Professionals Manual
                                                  Vitamins, Minerals, Electrolytes,    o  Complete: Chapter 4 Practice Quiz
                                                  and Water
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 5 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter             Health Professionals Manual
                                                  5: Dietary Guidelines, General       o  Complete: Chapter 5 Case Study
                                                  Nutrition Recommendations, and       o  Complete: Chapter 5 Practice Quiz
                                                  Federal Nutrition Policy
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Watch: Pathway of Food
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter        o  Watch: Energy Storage and Nutrient Absorption
                                                  6: Fundamentals of Exercise          o  Watch: Metabolic Pathways
                                                  Physiology and Nutrition
                                                                                       o  Read: Chapter 6 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                                                            Health Professionals Manual
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 6 Case Study
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 6 Practice Quiz
                                                  ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Watch: Energy Sources
                                                  Professionals Manual, Chapter 7:     o  Read: Chapter 7 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                  Nutrition Strategies for Optimal          Health Professionals Manual
                                                  Athletic Performance                 o  Complete: Chapter 7 Case Study
                                                                                       o  Complete: Chapter 7 Practice Quiz
     American Council on Exercise  l  ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program Syllabus
     COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                                                                                        4
                                   MODULE          SUBJECT                              ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE
                                   Module 2        ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Watch: Dehydration
                                   cont.           Professionals Manual, Chapter 8:     o  Watch: Hyponatremia
                                                   Exercise, Thermoregulation, and      o  Read: Chapter 8 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Fluid Balance                            Health Professionals Manual
                                                                                        o  Complete: Chapter 8 Case Study
                                                                                        o  Complete: Chapter 8 Practice Quiz
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 9 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Professionals Manual, Chapter            Health Professionals Manual
                                                   9: Nutritional Strategies for        o  Complete: Chapter 9A Case Study
                                                   Competitive Endurance, Strength,  o  Complete: Chapter 9B Case Study
                                                   and Power Athletes
                                                                                        o  Complete: Chapter 9 Practice Quiz
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 10 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Professionals Manual, Chapter            Health Professionals Manual
                                                   10: Nutritional Supplements and      o  Complete: Chapter 10 Case Study
                                                   Ergogenic Aids                       o  Complete: Chapter 10 Practice Quiz
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for             o  Read: Chapter 11 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Health Professionals Manual,             Health Professionals Manual
                                                   Chapter 11: Nutrition and Body       o  Complete: Chapter 11 Case Study
                                                   Composition Coaching and             o  Complete: Chapter 11 Practice Quiz
                                                   Assessment
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 12 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Professionals Manual, Chapter            Health Professionals Manual
                                                   12: Weight Management and            o  Complete: Chapter 12A Case Study
                                                   Energy Balance                       o  Complete: Chapter 12B Case Study
                                                                                        o  Complete: Chapter 12 Practice Quiz
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 13 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Professionals Manual, Chapter            Health Professionals Manual
                                                   13: Nutrition Across the Life Cycle  o  Complete: Chapter 13 Case Study
                                                                                        o  Complete: Chapter 13 Practice Quiz
                                                   ACE Sports Nutrition for Health      o  Read: Chapter 14 of the ACE Sports Nutrition for 
                                                   Professionals Manual, Chapter            Health Professionals Manual
                                                   14: Nutrition for Athletes with      o  Complete: Chapter 14 Case Study
                                                   Illness or Injury                    o  Complete: Chapter 14 Practice Quiz
     American Council on Exercise  l  ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program Syllabus