Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN)

1. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential
2. Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field
3. Master’s degree preferred; bachelor’s applicants should have significant experience
4. Demonstrated professional experience (minimum preferred years varies: ~3–5)

The DCN at UTMB is a terminal professional doctorate designed for practicing nutrition professionals, especially RDNs, seeking advanced clinical and leadership roles. The fully online curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, and applied research to improve patient care and nutrition outcomes. Scholars complete a substantial doctoral project, synthesizing their professional expertise with research to address real-world clinical nutrition challenges. The program supports flexible study for working professionals while fostering leadership and critical thinking skills for advanced practice and professional advancement in diverse healthcare settings.