Clinical Nutrition

The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics offers an online Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN). The DCN program is an advanced practice doctoral program with emphasis on leadership, advanced evidence based practice and research. In contrast to a PhD in Nutrition, which is generally focused on bench research, this degree focuses on practice and emphasizes production of applied scholarship and evidence-based outcomes in practice settings. The DCN will prepare practitioners for leadership roles in clinical, community or higher education settings through the course work, advanced practice residency, and the production of applied scholarship.

Graduates will gain expertise and skills in chronic disease prevention, clinical treatment, cultural competency, critical thinking, public policy, and outcomes research to become advanced level nutrition and dietetics practitioners and researchers. The curriculum will integrate evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics to provide the foundation for completion of an outcome based research project. The significance of developing an advanced practice Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition is evident from the increasing prevalence of dietary-related chronic diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, certain cancers, and renal disease). Graduates of the program will be rigorously trained to provide leadership in dietary prevention, intervention, and treatment of chronic disease at the individual and population level.

The DCN is a fully online program and includes a practice residency, so it is important to determine State Authorization of Distance Education and if the applicant will be able to do a residency in his or her home state or may have to do such elsewhere. Please see the UNF State Authorization Status website for more information and updates. State Authorization of Distance Education is a complex and dynamic environment. Prospective students should check this site often for updates. Students are required to come onsite for 2-day workshops the first three years of the program and also to defend their research project.

The DCN program may be completed full or part time. Students are also encouraged to obtain certifications as part of their studies with consultation and approval from their advisor.

DCN Program Information

Meet the UNF DCN Community

Special Notes

The DCN program has a higher tuition rate than other UNF graduate programs. Please refer to the Clinical Nutrition Tuition & Fees for additional information. Students will also be subject to additional per credit hour fees.